Rosco

We invite you to come and join us for a world class sea kayak adventure on Milford Sound.

What better way to experience Milford than from a safe stable sea kayak? Escape the crowds and become part of the environment you are observing. We have trips to suit everyone from first time paddlers to experienced kayakers.

Rosco and his team look forward to paddling with you soon!

Bit of background on Rosco

Rosco has spent the last 20 years living “Milford to the Max”. He was the first person to pioneer commercial sea kayaking in Milford Sound and he has the longest serving owner operated sea kayaking business in New Zealand. With this wealth of experience and a team of top class guides working alongside him Rosco continues to offer visitors to Milford new and exciting sea kayaking adventures. Prior to setting up his highly successful sea kayaking business Rosco worked as a professional river rafting guide working both in New Zealand and overseas.

He was on some days off with friends back in 1988 paddling down the Hollyford River into Lake McKerrow and out to Martins Bay with the plan of paddling along the coast on the Tasman Sea and into Milford Sound. After waiting for 2 days at Martins Bay for the 4 meter swell to ease it was an easy paddle down the coast and into Milford. The final 16km paddling all the way into the sound saw Rosco and his friends escorted by a pod of 30 bottle nose dolphins. It was a very “memorable” trip and one that planted the seed for setting up Milford’s first sea kayaking business.

The rest is history ……as Rosco and his team head toward 20 years kayaking in New Zealand’s most spectacular kayaking destination.

Besides kayaking Rosco’s other passions include cycling, mountain biking, motorbike racing, skiing, snowboarding and exploring the South Island back country. He was the first to skydive into Milford back in 2003 and has paraponted off Mt Phillips. Rosco is a 6 time winner of the infamous homer to home (1998-2003). This cycling race descended down from the Homer Tunnel down a series of hairpins dropping 700metres in a little over 10km with speeds of over 80kph common on a course that included 3 one way bridges with the road remaining open to normal traffic. Rosco remained undefeated when the race was discontinued in 2004 due to safety concerns. As a race director himself he organises 2 high profile events in Milford each year the Homer Nude Tunnel run which he started in 2003 and the Milford ‘Tri with a Twist’ which has been running since 2000.

The Nude Tunnel Run happens every year on April 1st at about 10 o’clock at night and sees 70 odd people(and growing every year) running and walking starker’s down the 1270m tunnel. The Tri encompasses kayaking, cycling and running using a month old banana as a baton with the 5th member of this team event eating the “baton” skulling a beer and blowing up a balloon till it pops. This year saw 11 teams enter a record number. Finally Rosco has been Mayor of Milford since about the turn of the century. It is a title he is comfortable with as he is passionate about the area, often outspoken, never pc and loves nothing more than showing visitors to Milford the raw beauty of this place he calls home.

A final word from the man himself…”I feel extremely privileged to be living my life in an area I love. Its not just the paddling it is the lifestyle, the people, the vibe and the buzz of showing everyone our playground in paradise”

Commonly asked questions:

IS SEA KAYAKING FOR ME?

Yes – if you want to experience Milford Sound the eco-friendly way, escape the crowded boats and explore Milford at your own pace from the comfort of our safe, stable sea kayaks. Our Sunriser Classic is a good trip for first time novice paddlers.

CAN I RENT A KAYAK?

No. Our concession with the Department of Conservation to operate in Milford Sound does not allow rental options.

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

If you are reasonably active you will find our trips fairly easy. If you want a longer challenging trip book in for the Morning Glory – you will not be disappointed.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

ʻBadʼ weather for us is excessively strong wind usually caused by a frontal weather system coming off the Tasman
Sea. A senior guide will decide if the trip will proceed. We never cancel trips due to rain alone. In fact, the more rain the better so you can experience the highest waterfalls on the planet! Your safety is always our priority, please see our cancellation policy for more info.

WHAT DO I NEED TO TAKE?

A camera with a fresh battery and plenty of film/memory, sunscreen, lip balm SPF15, insect repellent, shorts, soft shoes or sandals, sunglasses, warm clothing, a wool or fleece hat, rain jacket, lunch and high energy snack foods, towel, change of clothes, personal medication and a bag to put all of the above in.

WILL I CAPSIZE?

Not usually. Capsizes are fairly rare but if you do come out of your kayak for any reason your guide will help you back in. You will receive a full safety briefing prior to the trip commencing.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOAT CRUISE AND A KAYAK TRIP ON MILFORD SOUND?

There is absolutely no comparison. Our sea kayaks can go places the cruise boats never go. Get up close and personal with this world famous fiord and all of its inhabitants. Become part of the environment you are observing. Escape the crowds. Our groups are always small, usually six to eight people with their personal guide. See for yourself why Lonely Planet rate Roscoʼs Milford Kayaks as the best way to experience Milford.

WHY THE EARLY STARTS?

We make no apology for our very early starts on our Morning Glory, Day Safari and Sunriser Classic trips. The reason for these early start times is to maximise quality paddling conditions on the water. The calm waters make for excellent photo opportunities and wildlife viewing. Every fine and sunny day during the summer months results in a strong breeze developing mid to late morning making paddling conditions more challenging. We avoid these conditions on our Sunriser Classic and Stirling Sunriser, making these the best trips for novice paddlers.

WHAT DO YOU SUPPLY?

We provide all specialist paddling apparel including buoyancy aid, spray skirt, spray jacket, thermals, fleece
and poggies (like gloves but better) and dry bags for your cameras. Quality sea kayaks with foot operated rudders and paddles make exploring Milford a pleasurable experience.

OUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Roscoʼs Milford Kayaks reserves the right to cancel or change any part of any kayaking trip or the Day Safari road
trip from Te Anau. This could be due to, but not limited to, adverse sea, river, road or weather conditions. Our Day
Safari does not refund if the kayaking portion of the trip has to cancel but will substitute that part of the trip with a
Nature Cruise, and an extended tour via the Hollyford Valley back to Te Anau. We have a strict 24 hour cancellation policy which means that if WE cancel the trip due to any or all of the above conditions we will give you a full refund (except Day Safari).

If YOU decide not to do the trip within 24 hours of the trip departing for any reason (you sleep in, have a vehicle
breakdown, an unexpected illness or injury for example) or we cancel your booking because of client unsuitability
due to poor fitness or health there will be no refund. Please ensure you have travel insurance to cover all potential cancellation circumstances.