Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) and the New Zealand Outdoors Instructors Association (NZOIA) will host a workshop for commercial canyoning operators in Queenstown from 24-27th September. The workshop responds to the findings in recent research commissioned by WSNZ and NZOIA. Bringing the sector together is a direct attempt to ensure that research progresses into action around the instigation of national standards and qualifications.
Canyoning is an outdoor activity where people traverse canyons and rivers by using a variety of techniques such as abseiling, swimming, walking, and climbing. The activity was thrust into the spotlight following the tragic drowning of six students and a teacher from East Auckland's Elim Christian College in the Mangatepopo Gorge in April 2008 whilst canyoning.
The research project examined the current level of canyoning activity, who is participating in the activity and the environmental conditions it is currently being undertaken in. The second stage of the research reviewed what qualifications and standards are in place internationally and made recommendations on the potential needs for New Zealand.
Matt Claridge, General Manager, WSNZ comments on the research ‘WSNZ & NZOIA have considered the findings of the report and believe it sheds light on the complexity of both defining and managing emergent water and risk-bearing recreation activities. It is now appropriate for those who offer the activity of canyoning to be involved in the establishment of a definitive direction forward in terms of safe operation’.
Matthew Cant, Chief Executive, NZOIA agrees ‘Commercial canyoning seems to be operating with solid safety standards but as the sport blooms in New Zealand, experienced professionals will set the standards. It obviously is critical that experienced operators influence new operators and equally important is the need to influence the wider sport: educationalists and recreationalists. For this to occur, they need more structure than they currently have’.
