Wanaka Wahine Weekend

Connect with wahine who share the love of Packrafting

Join us for a weekend of paddling, workshops and discussion in the Wanaka area with lots of fun and laughs along the way.

We'll focus on building our confidence, growing connections between us, and sharing women-specific knowledge and experience. As well as river runs, we'll do a session on setting safety and hold discussions on topics ranging from stepping into trip leader roles to riverside hygiene and women-specific gear.

Based at the Tititea Lodge with the Matukituki river on our doorstep, we will help each other to learn and grow. Walk-in runs are on the cards, so please bring suitable packs and footwear to pack your rafts to the put-in.

Following requests to extend the event from two days to three, for those who get to Wanaka on Friday morning we'll meet and paddle Friday.

Inclusions

• Accommodation 2 nights at Tititea lodge

• Paddling Friday, Saturday and Sunday

• Peer group discussions topics

• Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather and paddling conditions so please be prepared to go with the flow.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Friday 30th October 2025

10am Meet at the Cameron Flat carpark at 10am. Walk as far as we want to up the East Matukituki G2 section, and paddle back.

6.00pm Tractor departs from Cameron Flat with gear, best time for Friday later arrivals to join us to walk in as a group.

6.30pm BYO dinner.

Saturday 31 October 2025

8.00am Safety briefing and plan for the day confirmed.

8.30am Walk up the West Matukituki, paddle the G1/G2 section back to the bridge rapids where we'll do a session on setting safety for complex rapids and confident G3 paddlers can run them. BYO Packed lunch.

9.00am Saturday arrivals can meet us at the Raspberry Flat carpark at 9.00am

6.30pm Pot-Luck Dinner, please bring a plate of kai to share

7.30pm Discussion Session

Sunday 1st November 2025

8.00am Pack up and tidy up

Plan A (good flow on the Hawea)

9.00am Depart lodge and drive to paddle the Hawea River.

Plan B

9.00am TBC - could do another walk-in up the East Matukituki, the Raspberry flat to Cameron’s Flat section of the West Matukituki, or look at a section of the Motutapu.

4pm(ish) Say our goodbyes

Feeling a little nervous about joining us?

We welcome wahine with ALL paddling experience, from beginners to more seasoned paddlers. This weekend is about development from whatever level you are at. If you are not confident on Grade 2 water and would like to discuss if this will be suitable, please send us a message. 

Remember to bring the following:

• We'll use the tractor to shuttle gear in so you can bring all the food and drink and luxuries you like!

• All packrafting gear; including Whitewater Helmet, PFD and suitable paddling gear, be prepared for cooler waters. 

• A pack and suitable footwear for walk-ins.

• Bedding (the lodge has mattresses and pillows, you will need your own sleeping bag/sheets/pillowcase)

• Food - No food is provided and there are no local shops. Bring something to share at the potluck on Saturday night. 

• Cash for shuttle drivers ($5 notes)
  
  

Getting to Tititea Lodge

Getting to Tititea Lodge. This involves a river crossing (knee to mid thigh deep in normal flows), and then a 1500m walk on a flat farm road to the lodge. Gear can be shuttled in on the tractor trailer. ** Tractor shuttle will depart from Cameron Flat at 1800 on Friday.

The lodge is set up backpacker style with 6 berth bunkrooms, and a fully outfitted kitchen (gas hobs). There is space for camping if you prefer to be in a tent or snore loudly. (Bunkrooms and Camping are the same cost). Showers available if the wetback has been running. Generator provides power in evening. There is some mobile reception (and we will have InReach for critical communications).

Event organiser:

Claire Pettigrew