CanyonSAR teams are usually on the lookout for suitably motivated, skilled and experienced canyoners who are willing to commit to the training programme and be available for operations.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact the nearest NZCA CanyonSAR representative and have a chat.

What are the minimum requirements?

These vary slightly around the country, but as a general guide you should;

• Be completely self-sufficient in at least v3a3 canyons with several years of canyoning experience
• Be committed and settled in the local area
• Be an excellent team player and quick learner
• Hold or be able to hold a first aid certificate
• Be willing to commit to the initial and annual training exercises
• Have reasonable flexibility in your life that you can be available when there is an operation.

Space in a team varies from place to place, but no matter what, you’ll need to be able to get along with others and fit in within the team environment.

You don’t have to be available 24/7/365,  but if your personal/work life means that there’s never a chance you can drop everything and go on a job, then CanyonSAR might not be for you.  We have employed people, parents of small children, seasonal workers who come back year on year – there’s lots of ways to make it happen, but it needs committment!

What is the training/onboarding like?

If the local CanyonSAR team coordinator thinks you’ve got the right attitudes and attributes, you’ll likely be invited to become a probationary team member.

You can expect a Police background check, plus some admin to register as a Land Search and Rescue volunteer. 

Basic training includes a 3-day Canyon Rescue Level 1 (Stretcher movement), plus Canyon Search Methods course and First Aid course. 

Ongoing training includes official Land Search and Rescue courses (like Track and clue awareness, Search methods, Outdoor First aid, Helicopter safety, Leadership), plus local group training and SAR Exercises. 

Your local team leader will discuss what it takes for you to move from probationary to active status.

Do I get free stuff?

Volunteers are supplied with a range of uniform items, plus teams have personal protective equipment and group rescue equipment available for training and operations. 

Some exercises and operations involve heli-canyoning, at no expense to the volunteer. 

The official training courses are free, and travel expenses are fairly well subsidised.  The aim is to avoid volunteers being out of pocket, but sometimes it can happen. 

How often will I get called out?

It depends – in some areas there are several call-outs a year, in others it is years between call outs.    If you’re expecting to be away saving lives every weekend, then you’ll be disappointed.

CanyonSAR are more often called out to assist with missing hikers (or folks who are not canyoning that get lost near canyons or rivers).   There’s an increasing amount of training and operations with other SAR and emergency agencies, supporting things like flood response.  Its an exciting time to be a SAR volunteer!

There have been a number of National Canyon SAR Exercises, which are generally run just before the bi-annual Canyoning Festival. 

To remain an active member of the team who can get called out, there’s an expectation of ongoing participation in training events and responding to call-outs. Your local rep can discuss what that means for you.