Chris Lacoste

Charting Waterways:

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Chris Lacoste’s 20-Year Sea Kayaking Legacy

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For over two decades, Chris Lacoste has carved his path across oceans, harbours, and wild coastlines—establishing himself as an experienced sea kayak guide and water-based adventure leader. As the founder of Social Nature Movement, Chris has spent a lifetime on the water, translating personal passion into transformative experiences for others. His journey began on the shores of Aotearoa, where salt air and rolling swell became his classroom. From paddling the Hauraki Gulf and its scattered islands to exploring the pristine coves of Abel Tasman, the rugged remoteness of Fiordland, and the volcanic reaches of the Coromandel, Chris has come to know New Zealand’s marine environments intimately—not just as landscapes, but as living, breathing ecosystems. But Chris’s paddle has travelled farther than New Zealand shores. He’s taken on the fjords of Norway, the islands of the United Kingdom, the coastal caves of France, and the tidal rivers of Germany, learning from Europe’s diverse sea kayaking traditions and refining his own approach to guiding. These international experiences reinforced his belief that water connects us—across cultures, continents, and communities. In the late 2010s, Chris established Social Nature Movement to offer water-based adventures that go beyond recreation. Built on a philosophy of people, place, and practice, the company specialises in immersive sea kayaking experiences that balance physical challenge with environmental awareness and cultural respect. Whether guiding glow-in-the-dark bioluminescent night paddles, leading multi-day expeditions, or introducing first-timers to the joys of paddling, Chris curates each journey with purpose and precision. As a qualified guide and waterman, Chris has trained countless paddlers, collaborated with marine scientists and conservationists, and pioneered new routes and techniques in the sea kayaking space. His approach blends technical mastery with storytelling, ensuring every trip is not just safe—but soulful. Through Social Nature Movement, Chris continues to lead from the cockpit of a kayak—connecting people to water, guiding them through uncertainty, and reminding them that the greatest journeys often begin with a single paddle stroke.