Despite the challenging COVID-19 environment, local family owned business Paddle Wanaka is working hard to keep its operations running and see the positive in the new environment. 

Bex and Chris Thornton are the sporty duo behind the business, which offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, SUP yoga, guided water tours, ‘water taxi’ style island shuttle experiences and more under their brand Paddle Wanaka.

They’re all about offering ways to get out on the water and take advantage of the stunning environment, providing unique experiences at many of the area's most picturesque spots. 

Sharing local knowledge within their own backyard with people who are excited to experience it is what makes Bex and Chris tick.

Traditionally one of their most popular tours has been the Mighty Clutha, a guided tour of the Clutha River.

“Bex and myself, we’ve now got two little kids and we started the whole thing up eight years ago,” Chris said. “We bought it from a local couple that had run it as a rental company for several years.” 

The couple has added a wide variety of options and experiences to the company over time, conscious of all the beautiful places they want to share and finding a price point that caters to a wide audience.

“It’s really to try to cover our bases and provide something for everyone,” Chris said. 

“As a young family we know about that barrier to spending and that not everyone has a big budget for activities.”

The business is working on adding instructional experiences, rather than tours, to cater better to the new Kiwi-only market.

At the lower price end Paddle Wanaka provides kayak and paddle rentals, and the more affordable island shuttle (visitors can travel by boat out to Mou Waho or Ruby Island to take a walk). 

At the top end there are a variety of water tours from half to full day, including regular routes and customised experiences. 

Tailoring their product to the domestic market has been front of mind for Paddle Wanaka since COVID-19 hit. 

“Guiding has traditionally been a big thing for us,” Chris said. “We are now looking at minimising that and doing more supported rentals because Kiwis like to do things themselves.”

“On the Clutha River we are looking at more of an instructional process than a guided tour - 

more of an instructional whitewater river safety type of thing. It’s more applicable to Kiwis and people on a short trip.”

Paddle Wanaka’s most popular tours have traditionally been the Tiki Tour, a half-day guided tour on Lake Wanaka, with the Mighty Clutha half day guided tour a close second. 

Due to the changes in demand, the Tiki Tour is now running on standby/by demand rather than daily, while the Mighty Clutha continues to run daily. 

Because Paddle Wanaka’s product is mainly a summer attraction the extra drop in visitors due to COVID-19 while staying operating through winter has been a challenge. 

“We’re getting people through, some, but not many. But we have enough to keep us ticking over.”

With warm weather and the next school holidays on the horizon, Chris is optimistic about the times ahead. 

He’s also grateful for the positives that have come from tourism: “The collaboration in the tourism community has just been amazing.”

Paddle Wanaka is open for tours, rentals, island shuttles and more, and they’re running some winter specials right now too. Check them out here.

PHOTOS: Paddle Wanaka