CREATIVITY IN THE CANYON: CELEBRATING KAYLAH, OUR CANYONING NZ ARTIST

At Canyoning New Zealand, our seasons are shaped not only by incredible adventures but also by the inspiring people we meet along the way. This year, we’ve been lucky enough to connect with an exceptionally talented artist — Kaylah — whose creativity, energy, and unique perspective have left a lasting mark on our team and our space.

We were introduced to Kaylah through one of our awesome returning guides, Dominic Godwin, and from the moment we met her, it was clear she brought something truly special.

A Life Less Ordinary

Kaylah is the definition of a free spirit.  Travelling alongside Dom as he works seasons across the globe, she immerses herself in different cultures, landscapes, and communities — all of which influence and inspire her art.

Rather than following a traditional path, Kaylah has created a life built entirely around her creativity.  Through drawing, painting, design, and tattooing, she earns her living while sharing her passion with people all over the world.  Those lucky enough to connect with her often find themselves eagerly awaiting her return, a true reflection of both her talent and the experience she creates through her work.

The Journey of an Artist

Becoming an artist is never a straight line.  It’s a journey that requires passion, persistence, and a commitment to continually creating.  At its core, being an artist is about doing — showing up, putting ideas into the world, and developing a unique voice over time.

Kaylah embodies this mindset.  Her journey began in a small rural town in Western Australia before moving to the Sunshine Coast, where her creativity continued to grow.  Inspired by her dad from a young age, she was always drawn to creating, though like many artists, her path wasn’t without challenges.  At times she was told she wasn’t good enough — the kind of feedback that can easily shake confidence — but through resilience and determination, she pushed forward.

Surrounding herself with people who recognised and nurtured her talent allowed her to flourish into the artist she is today.

Talent Without Borders

Now just 25 years old, Kaylah is already making waves internationally.  As a painter, she sells work across the globe.  As a tattoo artist — a discipline that requires not only creativity but precision, trust, and deep technical skill — she is in demand in studios worldwide and has also taken part in international tattoo conventions.

The tattoo industry can be tough, especially starting out, but Kaylah’s maturity, work ethic, and the way she treats people have helped her navigate those challenges with strength and grace. She carries herself with a level of professionalism and respect that is well beyond her years.

Leaving Her Mark at Canyoning New Zealand

During her time with us this season, Kaylah contributed in a way that perfectly captured the spirit of canyoning.

She designed an incredible t-shirt featuring the essence of our environment — with Mt Aspiring, native beech trees, and a guide abseiling down a waterfall.  It’s a design we’re incredibly proud of, now worn by our team and available as part of our for sale merchandise.

Taking it one step further, Kaylah transformed that same design into a large-scale mural on the wall of our canyoning base, bringing a whole new energy and identity to our operational space. It’s bold, creative, and unmistakably “us.”

And as if that wasn’t enough, she also shared her talent more personally — tattooing members of our team, including owners Julz and Ross, as well as staff Anouk and Marata.  Each piece is a lasting connection to her time with us.

A Shared Appreciation

When we asked Kaylah about her experience with Canyoning New Zealand, her words reflected exactly what we aim to create as a company:

“It’s just so amazing to see the environment that these guys get to work in and the beauty of Aotearoa NZ, and to see how everyone in the company reflects that beauty in the way that they work.”

Grateful for the Connection

At Canyoning New Zealand, we feel incredibly proud and grateful to have had Kaylah as part of our extended team this season.  Her creativity, openness, and passion have left a lasting impression — not just visually, but culturally within our crew.

She’s truly made her mark here, and we have no doubt her journey will continue to take her to amazing places around the world.

We’re already looking forward to the day her and Dom return for another season of adventure, creativity, and connection.

We love you Kaylah! 🤍

Check our Kaylah’s Instagram page here: @pixar_ink