Zack Stones

 

Meet Zack Stones!

Instagram: @pebblespaddles

I first discovered kayaking in 2018, I was just coming off an ACL surgery from skiing a few years before and I was looking for new challenge. I quickly fell in love with spending countless hours on the water as I gained my core skills on the Buller river. During the next couple of years I studied at Tai Poutini Polytechnic on the west coast and embraced wet and wild lifestyle!

The rugged nature of the coast inspired me and helped me go to some amazing places with epic friends around me! Some of my favourite accomplishments during this time was the Kokatahi river, which is only accessed by helicopter and Red Granite creek, an epic waterfall section that requires a hearty bush bash up a hill to reach the river. Since I’ve finished studying,I have worked at Broken River Ski field, and as a kayak guide on the Waimakariri river for Topsport Kayaking. I’m currently off too Australia and California for climbing and kayaking!

Man dropping a waterfall in a kayak

I think kayak instruction really encourages me to change and alter my teaching style for different people. Whitewater kayaking often puts people in a challenging environment and I really enjoy being able to help people progress and become confident in the river space. This unique challenge has kept me passionate for several years and will continue to do so for many more years!

I’m really excited to be returning as the lead instructor at Topsport kayaking next summer. I really enjoy having a good study/work balance and I have scheduled my NZOIA Kayak 1 assessment at the end of the year to continue my progression of kayak instruction.  In regards to my personal paddling, I have many big ideas for some rivers and canyons on the west coast. I flew up behind hokitika last summer to look at the currently un run doctors creek waterfall. I’ll be looking to return to look at that again soon 👀