Health & safety
Keeping safe on the water is mostly a matter of preparation, common sense and experience. Things happen, weather changes, there are other boats on the water, so we need to be prepared.
Waka Ama New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand are partnering
Waka Ama New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand are partnering to help our waka ama community and our wider whānau to be safer in and around the water.
Waka Ama water safety basics booklet
Water safety is a fundamental element within waka ama. The purpose of this booklet is to educate our waka ama whānau in six key areas of water safety in relation to waka ama.
These key areas are:
- Personal Floatation Devices (PFD)
- The environment
- Marine Weather Conditions
- Communication
- Equipment Required
- and Maritime Laws
There should be a copy of the booklet in the shed.
What is a Huli?
A huli (capsize) is when the waka capsizes (flips over).
Waka Ama NZ’s offical flip & float
The purpose of this video is to provide our clubs, paddlers and community with an online resource that educates our waka ama whānau in the area of water safety.
A Maitahi huli drill at the pool
Every club might have a slightly different approach. We sometimes do pool drills and ‘at sea’ drills within the club. Below is a video of the Maitahi Muppets huli in the Richmond Aquatic Centre.
What is in the safety bag?
A safety bag must be carried in every waka for every journey. It should contain:
- spare lashings
- hand held flare
- VHF radio
- ponchos
- multitool or knife
Alongside the safety bag the following need to be carried on every journey.
- tow rope
- 2 buckets & 2 bailers (1 x bailer for OC & OC1)
- spare hoe (paddle)
- lifejackets for every paddler (worn or carried)
Its never too early or too late to start paddling waka ama
We welcome new members to the Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club. Maitahi has social and racing waka ama crews catering for a wide variety of ages and abilities.