Best Foot Forward
Adventure Guides - NZ
Bob McLachlan and the team at Best Foot Forward NZ offer the chance to realise your adventure dreams by offering bespoke, guided adventure experiences, Grade 2 Multisport Kayak certification and paddling tuition.
We are a small but mighty owner/operator company specialising in building multidisciplinary single-day, or multi-day, adventures in the stunning backcountry areas surrounding our Wanaka, New Zealand, hometown. If you want to raft, kayak, or pack raft on our remote rivers, paddle on our scenic lakes; hike in the hills, snowshoe in pristine winter environments and gain overnight access to our network of privately-owned huts, then please get in touch.
From single travellers and couples, to groups wanting a special adventure experience, we put together a whole package, allowing you to maximise your adventure experience and take you far from the tourist crowds.
If the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is on your bucket list, or you’ve always wanted to complete a whitewater kayaking course, then the Best Foot Forward NZ team can help.
Dear Bob and Cat thank you both so much. Everything you do is magic. The cat food was spot on and Bob, we would follow you to the end of the world.
Thanks again for the week Bob. Everyone had an amazing time and a big part of that was because of yourself, Grace and Cat’s organisation, guidance and general support.
Dearest Bob and Cat, you truly are the dream team, not just for adventures but for N.Z. Your steady hand and warm hearts will keep me coming back for more. We adore you.
Bob! We absolutely LOVED our hike and overnight with you and the Cat food! Thank you so much for being you—your knowledge, athleticism, demeanour and humour were the perfect mix to get us up that FUCKING HILL!!!
Dear Cat and Bob, firstly thank you very much for an excellent course. My objective was just to learn a new skillset and Bob allowed me to do this in an exceptionally patient manner. His relaxed method of teaching and his years of experience helped me just get on with it.
So, thank you sincerely for allowing me to join you on this excellent adventure.
Thanks so much to you, Bob and Sez! Was great to catch up and get some good time on the river! Special shout out to Sez for saving me when I tipped out and giving me a good pep talk and a few tips to help me get down the rest of the river! You guys are legends.
Bob, it was an honour to paddle with a kayak legend here in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing your time and stories with us.
This was a major highlight of our trip to your wonderful country. I will be telling all my friends about it.
Thank you once again to you both for today. You are such amazing people and Bob’s gesture today of taking my kayak speaks volumes of the humbleness and generosity you show us. True champions.
We had an awesome time, thanks so much to you and Bob. He is an amazing coach.
I am grateful for our lovely time together as father and son. That was a special overnight on the Landsborough River. Bob and Cat were wonderful.
Latest News
Conquering the Yukon 1000: How Two Kiwis Paddled to Glory in the World’s Longest Race – story credit Sportzhub
Gordon & Bob above Photos Yukon1000 & Supplied Introduction Six days. 1,600 kilometres. One of the most remote rivers on the planet. The Yukon 1000 isn’t just a race, it’s an ordeal, a test of self-sufficiency, mental toughness, and relentless endurance. An ideal challenge for New Zealanders Gordon Townsend and Bob
Bob and team mate [Flash] Gordon Townsend to take on the Yukon 1000 kayak race.
Seasoned adventure racer Bob McLachlan is preparing for an epic challenge. He tells reporter Adrian Seconi why paddling 1000 miles down the Yukon River beats a family holiday. Bob McLachlan is not like most of us. He is made of different materials. He’s probably a combination of spider silk and limpet teeth. But he has his kryptonite.
Pure Sports Nutrition Coast to Coast Training Camp is back for 2025!
Itinerary Friday, Sept 26 6pm: Meet and greet evening with Bob and Hamish. Outline of what you will be doing over the next two days and discuss what you’d like to get out of this training camp.Receive your pack of Pure Sport Nutrition goodies, which will include training, racing and
Pure Sports Nutrition Coast to Coast Training Camp in Wanaka – Sept 20 – 22
Due to popular demand, we’ve opened up the @puresportsnutrition Coast to Coast Training Camp to include limited day spots in Wanaka on September 21 and 22. Best Foot Forward NZ’s kayaking guru Bob McLachlan is teaming up with 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast-winner Hamish Elliott to run a training weekend
ADVANCED PADDLING COACHING CLINIC: WANAKA – NOVEMBER 6 and 7
Two of the best in the business, Canoe Racing NZ’s Development Coach Craig Mustard and Best Foot Forward NZ’s Bob McLachlan have banded together to offer a two-day paddling tuition course. The combined knowledge of the South African Youth Olympics medal winner and Kiwi World Adventure Racing Champion is huge,
Best Foot Forward NZ takes on Jess MacDonald as its first ambassador
Best Foot Forward NZ’s Bob McLachlan is excited to announce that his Wanaka-based adventure training business has taken on its first ambassador, Arrowtown’s Jess MacDonald. A keen kayaker and budding adventure racer, Jess (15), did a guided paddle on the Waimakariri River – preparing for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast