Senior guide & safety kayaker
Paloma Kelly
Where do you call home?
I move around a lot with different types of work but I call the South Island of New Zealand home.
What do you love most about multi-day trips?
The thing I love the most about multi-day trips is waking up and eating breakfast in a beautiful location, knowing the day will be spent on the river.
When did you first start working for Water By Nature?
My first trip was safety kayaking a great group as part of their New Zealand Multi-active trip on the Landsborough River.
Your best river meal you like to prepare?
Mexican night with all the toppings and side dishes
Favourite Rapid?
Any of the ones on the upper Waiau in New Zealand.
Most important piece of equipment you take on every adventure?
Head-torch.
Biggest achievement to date?
Making a seasonal lifestyle work so far…… probably on par with my uni degree
What do you do when you are not on the river?
If its winter I would probably be skiing if I’m not on the river, or if its summer maybe finding a nice spot to have lunch using some other mode of transport
Favourite Band?
Hill Top Hoods, or Cat Empire.
Best River Story?
One of my favourite moments on the river was in the US on the Rogue river. I was just about to push off for the day when a black bear came down to the river with her cubs only 20m away from the raft. They lounged around and had a drink, ignoring us. It was amazing to see them so close.
