Arthur's Pass Meetup 2023

Arthur's Pass Community Center

3-6 February 2023

What is a NZCA meetup?

A NZCA meetup is a weekend for members to turn up in one spot, meet old friends, make new ones and organise your own canyoning trips.

We arrange a central hub, and usually, a social gathering on at least one of the nights, but there are no organised trips, workshops, raffles and other fancy stuff like at our bi-annual festival.  

 A meetup is for independant canyoners, who can look after themselves in a group canyoning trip.  You organise your own food, gear, transport, mates, trips, ropes and so on.

It is vital to be honest with others about your canyoning experience and abilities. 

Check out the Facebook event to chat to other people attending! 

A few FAQ...

Chat with people going to the Arthurs Pass meetup on Facebook

To join the meetup you should be self-sufficient in your canyoning ability.

This means you are able to look after yourself while in a canyon. You should be able to judge which canyons you can safely do, and whether the water levels and canyon hazards are within your ability.

You are welcome to organise trips with other more experienced people to learn more, but this is something you need to do yourself, and you should at the minimum know enough basics to keep yourself safe. There are plenty of places to do courses in New Zealand if you would like to up your skills or just get started.

If you’re coming solo, its a good idea to try to connect with people ahead of the event via facebook. 

Many will organise to go with mates, but if you do not know anyone going, chuck a post up well in advance of the event to see if someone will let you join their trip. 

It will be up to each individual to decide what is acceptable or not. As this is a casual meet up, you are free to do what you would normally do.

If it REALLY rains you’ll find us at the pub having a beer and telling stories ;0) 

Please visit the KiwiCanyons.org/overseas page and give the whole website a thorough read.

NZ canyons are much more aquatic and can be technical. Also, be aware of Didymo: learn what it is and what you need to do

Register for the Arthur's Pass meetup!

NZCA events are for members only 

Membership supports the NZCA, our projects and work to support canyoning in NZ. Meetup event fees only cover the expenses to run the event.

The link below will explain all about membership and invite you to join.

In 2022, NZCA brought in a membership fee, so if you went to the Tairua festival, you’re probably already a member.  If not, please join up below. If you’re unsure, email secretary@nzcanyoningassociation.org

Join NZCA Now

Event terms & conditions

All NZCA events are for current, paid up NZCA members only. Any registration fee covers the actual costs of running the event only.

Members agree that they participate in NZCA activities at their own risk, and agree to take responsibility for their own safety during those activities. Members agree to hold blameless the event organizers, the NZ Canyoning Association, its executive and its members for any loss, or damage, caused by negligence, act or omission whether consequential or indirect, as a result of participation in any NZ Canyoning Association event.

Members agree that they have enough personal equipment to keep themselves safe/warm and enough skills/experience in aquatic canyons in New Zealand to look after themselves in normal conditions.

You must be at least 18 at the start of the event to participate.

NZCA events are not a cheap guided canyoning experience. They are events for self-sufficient canyoners who at least:

  • have the ability and judgement to manage their personal safety in a canyon.
  • have the suitable equipment to keep themselves safe and warm when canyoning.

We expect each group to have the minimum group safety equipment of first aid kit and emergency communication (PLB or InReach).

It’s ok if you can’t rig pitches, or need someone to make leadership decisions or help you learn a few extra things along the way. 

We just don’t want people who need constant supervision to stop them hurting themselves, folks who need their descender rigged for them, or who rock up in boardies, Teva’s with an ATC and no helmet… 

If you’re unsure if you have enough skill/gear/experience, please talk to us, we’re pretty friendly 😉

We generally won’t offer refunds on registration fees.

Bear in mind the registration fee is set to cover any budgeted event costs. The organisers could be booking venues, buying consumables/food etc, we really don’t want to be refunding people who are just changing their minds…   

If you are genuinely unwell please do not attend: we will give you a full refund. Contact secretary@nzcanyoningassociation.org

 

Registration for the Arthur’s Pass meetup is $20 

The registration fee aims to cover the cost of hiring the Arthurs Pass community hall, and a Pizza feast on the Saturday night.

 

Register for the Arthur's Pass Meetup for $20 Now

The Canyons

Check out all the local canyons at www.kiwicanyons.org

Programme

Four awesome days of canyoning and socialising!
The Blast in the Haast Makarora Meetup is the following weekend, so why not take some leave and make it a 10 day canyon extravaganza?
 
Friday 3 February 2023
  • From 7pm, meet and greet at the Meetup Hub
  • Organise your own canyoning trips for tomorrow.  

Saturday 4 Feb 2023

  • Go canyoning!
  • After the canyon: CHECK, CLEAN, DRY bring your own tub: we’ll try to bring a few more plus extra detergent!
  • From 7pm: We’ll be firing up the portable Pizza oven: BYO toppings!
  • Organise your own canyoning trips for the following day

Sunday 5 Feb 2023

  • Go canyoning!
  • Before the next canyon, CHECK, CLEAN, DRY
  • Come to the meetup hub for a yarn and to organise your trip for the next day

Monday 6 Feb 2023

Meetup Hub, Accomodation and Food

The Meetup Hub

Arthurs Pass Community Hall, 76 School Terrace, Arthurs Pass. 

 

Accomodation

It is your own responsibility to book accomodation: 

There’s a whole range of options, but this is Waitangi Weekend (public holidays) so book EARLY!!

Lots of tramping/alpine club lodges, backpackers, holiday homes, and camping at DOC sites at Avalanche Creek, Greneys and Klondyke Corner. 

Food

As part of the registration fee, the organisers will arange a Pizza feast at the Meetup Hub, 8pm on the Saturday night. 

Pizza bases and sauces will be provided (vegan), but you must BYO toppings!

All the rest of the food is your own responsibility. 

 

Safety Documents​

  • Each group must fill out an activity sheet and sign out at the meetup hub / with the sign out person at the end of each activity.
  • Each group will be expected to have the minimum safety equipment: PLB*, First Aid.