New Zealand topped the Canoe Sprint medals table at Paris 2024 with three golds thanks to the sensational Lisa Carrington. 

Take a look at some of these jaw-dropping spots to start your paddling journey in New Zealand. 

West Coast, South Island

The long stretch of the West Coast on the South Island in New Zealand is a phenomenal untamed playground, for adventure sports of all kinds, but particularly those involving a paddle. The wild Southern Alps and glaciers region around the Franz Josef glacier has everything, from calm SUP routes across Lake Mapourika, edged with Jurassic rainforest, to white water sections through the sky blue Hokitika Gorge. The area was highly recommended by local outfit Pack Raft New Zealand who shared some favourite spots with the judges.

Okere Falls, North Island

Emerald depths turn to rushing white water at the Okere Falls, a fun drop for progressing paddlers to tackle that’s tucked into the northern corner of Lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty. This area of the North Island is a centre of rafting and kayaking, with awesome paddles to the natural Manupirua geothermal hot mineral pools on the other side of the lake, or to ride the rapids of nearby Kaituna River. Camping out here afterwards means seeing the Milky Way with spectacular clarity. 

Lake Tekapo, South Island

Mesmerising scenery defines Lake Tekapo, where the snow-capped pyramids of the Southern Alps encircle the luminous lake, whose water is a delicious milky turquoise thanks to the fine “rock flour” ground down by glaciers and suspended in the water.

Sunset admirers and after-dark paddlers can experience incomparable star-gazing here, in one of the world’s largest Unesco Dark Sky Reserves. Nature lovers should come in November and December, when a haze of pink and purple lupins are in bloom along the shore. And if that weren’t enough, there are natural hot springs at the southern end to bathe in once you’re all paddled out.