Raphael Soubrier (21) and Yoann Firdion (24), two French tourists visiting Queenstown, could have been rescued if they were better prepared for their trip on December 6, Coroner David Crerar said at a hearing held at Queenstown yesterday.
He described the degree of preparation and equipment for the pair's planned return journey from Queenstown to Hidden Island as "inappropriate".
"They left the safety of the shore too late and left the call to safety too late."
The two Frenchmen had set out in a kayak designed for children in low-level waters, with one paddle between them, one adult lifejacket, one child's lifejacket and a small bag containing a cellphone, identification and a pair of shoes.
"I don't call that a kayak. That was a child's plastic canoe," Mr Crerar said.
The two friends were discovered drowned in the lake wearing their lifejackets inside-out and the kayak almost fully submerged.
Despite questions after the tragedy about the effectiveness of the joint search by the harbourmaster, the Coastguard and Queenstown Para-Flights, Mr Crerar said they had no responsibility for the two drownings.
"I am satisfied that the Coastguard and other searchers did all they could have done."
The Coastguard vessel, based at the Frankton marina, arrived 20 to 30 minutes after the Queenstown Para-Flights boat and water taxi had started their search, and there were questions about a lack of search co-ordination.
Mr Crerar said the actions of Para-Flight's Chris Bradley and Carrick McLellan, harbourmaster Marty Black and the Coastguard were "entirely appropriate" at the time.
In his evidence, Mr Bradley said he had advised the Coastguard twice that they had been searching in the wrong area and that the men would be further west.
Constable Julian Cahill said police inquiries had also found the drownings "were the result of a poorly equipped and poorly planned expedition".
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers NZ safety and publications officer Paul Caffyn told the Otago Daily Times the two deaths could have been avoided had there been some simple planning.
"In recent times, the majority of these fatalities are from overseas. The difficulty is targeting these young explorers."
Mr Caffyn and the National Boating Pleasure Forum were now working on ways to inform visitors of how to better prepare when taking on local waters, and he suggested targeting youth hostels and backpackers in Queenstown with an "adventure kit"on their arrival.
The Coastguard, which was heavily involved in the search for the two Frenchmen, is also working on an initiative for summer: "If you see something - tell someone".
Mr Black said last year's incident was a "tragedy" and he would be working with both the Coastguard and Mr Caffyn on their awareness programmes.
