 FAQs
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| Lakes
in North Patagonia. |
Trips
How do I make a trip reservation with Kayak Australis?
First you need to select one or more of our sea or tour kayaking programs. At the end of each description
of our trips, there is a button that says “Reserve”.
You need to click on this, and you will get a Reservation
Form that must be completed with the information asked for,
then, send it by clicking on the button that says “Send”.
On the screen a message will appear saying that the form
has been successfully sent. You will also receive a message
at your email address to verify the address along with a
copy of the form that you sent to us. If an error message
appears on the screen, we ask that you write us at info@kayakaustralis.cl
to tell us about the problem.
After this, one of our people will contact you via email
to finalize the trip details (means of payment, dates, etc).
Do you require a certain number of people to do these trips?
Yes, we do. Our tour kayaking programs require a minimum
of 4 people and a maximum of 8. In case your group is less
than 4 people, Kayak Australis will still be able to do
the expeditions, but at a greater cost to the group.
How long are the trips?
With Kayak Australis, we have trips that last from short
1 day trips, to multi day expeditions of more than 6 days.
For custom made trips, the number of days will depend completely
on the participants.
Can I modify a trip according to my needs?
Yes you can. With Kayak Australis you can use one of our
programs as a reference and modify it or mix it with other
programs according to your particular interests. Or, if
you prefer, you can design a completely different trip.
Do I need experience to be able to do the trips that Kayak
Australis offers?
You don’t need previous kayaking experience for the
majority of our trips. For the tour kayaking trips the fundamental
requirement is to know how to swim, have a lot of enthusiasm
and be willing to have an adventure. But for the longer expeditions
and those to the climatically more difficult geographic zones,
we do require that our participants have a certain level
of experience.
What is included in the cost of the trips?
All our trips include transportation to the place where we
will begin the trip, all the food during the expedition,
the camping equipment, safety equipment, kayaking equipment
and paddling clothes. The equipment that isn’t included
but is necessary for each expedition (clothing and personal
items for camping) we request of the clients when they
make their trip reservation.
Can I do the trip if I am over 50 years?
Of course, always when you are in good physical condition
to do the activity. A doctor’s certification is essential.
What if someone gets sick during the trip?
Kayak Australis has professionals certified in first aid
to give the most urgent attention if required, and if it
is necessary to transfer to a medical centre, Kayak Australis
has a contingency plan for these cases.
Do I need to be in good physical condition to do these trips?
Not necessarily. Many of our expeditions are not strenuous
or physically demanding and we don’t require that
our clients be in excellent physical condition. You need
to be able to do moderate exercise for a couple of hours
each day.
What do I need to know about Kayak touring?
Our trips are designed for all types of kayakers, with or
without experience, since our company has high safety standards,
and each trip starts with a practice of the fundamental
rescue and safety techniques and kayaking strokes.
What will I learn on a Kayak Australis trip?
We will teach you everything possible about the kayak during
the trip. If you are already familiar with the activity,
our expert guides will offer challenges to improve your
abilities. We try to include information about tides, currents
and the natural world around us on each trip, with many,
many opportunities to observe and learn about the native
plants and animals.
Is it easy to tip in a touring kayak?
The kayaks we us for our trips are very stable and it’s
rare if someone tips. The image of kayaks tipping in rapids
happens mostly in white water kayaking, which is very different
from kayak touring.
Do I need a lot of equipment?
Depending on where and when you go for the expedition, the
weather conditions may be variable. We can find warm days,
sun, fog, rain, storms, cold nights, etc, which is why
we need to be prepared for any of these possibilities since
for many people the weather during the trip influences
how much they enjoy it. For this reason it’s important
that when you decide to do a trip with Kayak Australis,
you bring the equipment that we recommend.
What if I need help during the trip?
On a trip to a remote area, it’s natural that at some
moment someone will need help. For the group to work safely
and effectively it’s important that all the members
share their knowledge and abilities with the other participants
and also give and receive help when it’s necessary.
How far and how fast will we travel?
In general, during our trips we cover between 20 and 25 kilometers
daily, depending on the weather conditions and the group’s
ability.
Do I need to have camping experience?
You don’t need camping experience, but it is recommendable.
If you don’t know how to set up camp, our guides will
help and teach you the basic techniques.
Can I go on an expedition alone?
Of course. For the majority of our clients who prefer to
travel alone, we try to give them their own tent, but when
this isn’t possible, we put them together with another
client.
What type of kayak is used for the trips?
We use single and double touring kayaks. These kayaks are
very stable and safe, have a lot of holding space and are
easy to maneuver.
Courses
How do I take a course?
You can enroll in any of the three courses offered by Kayak
Australis by writing us an email to contact us and indicating
which course you’d like to take.
What is included in the cost of the course?
The three courses offer transportation from the Kayak Australis
office to the practice place, double and single kayaks,
paddles, spray skirts, life jackets, wet suits, safety
and rescue equipment, food (depending on the course chosen),
free inscription for a year in the Kayak Australis Club,
and a course manual.
Do I have to bring my own equipment to the classes?
No. Kayak Australis provides the necessary equipment for
the practical courses.
What are the course requirements?
You need to know how to swim, been in a state of health compatible
with the activity, and depending on the course, we require
a minimum age. For the Advanced Level course, you need
to have done the first two courses.
Do you do practical classes?
Yes, all our courses have both theory classes along with
practical classes.
Where you do the practical classes?
The practical classes are done, depending on the course level,
in lakes, rivers, and bays near Santiago. |
