border-radius: 3px; }. sl = nl[0]; 0 : e.thumbw; But we pretty much made a deal that if one of us died on the river that we wouldnt let it stop us doing what we love. If you want to enjoy slightly calmer rapids but great weather, then consider traveling to Rotorua in the spring shoulder season, just before summer, when the rivers will be full and the sun will begin to emerge from the New Zealand clouds. When they say paddle to the right you paddle to the right if they say get down you get down and grab the raft. margin: 0 !important; There is no feeling like getting down a big, scary section of whitewater and sitting at the bottom after a successful descent. 0 : parseInt(e.thumbh); } } With an expert guide at the helm, you'll paddle through Class 5 white-water rapids of the Kaituna River, including an awesome 21-foot (7-meter) drop down Tutea Falls, the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. You might even enjoy the extra rush of capsizing on the worlds tallest commercially rafted waterfall. It features powerful rapids, large drops, abrupt turns, weirs, fast. Rotorua Rafting was built around the love of the river, extensive local and cultural knowledge, as well as the best-handpicked guides to best showcase the aroha of the kere awa. } Maritime New Zealand spokesman Ross Henderson said preliminary enquiries were underway. fbq('init', '191148196031925'); .wprs_unslider { Snaking through bush-clad canyons, the Kaituna River is a mystical gorge of fast-moving water, steep drops and turbulence. .confirmations{ right: 5%; He routinely looked back to check on Louises progress. .gform_button { padding-left: 20px; Ryan already had a thirst for testing his limits. Still, dropping into Gnarly gorge is never easy. } .top-bar { } Our journey for the day started in Rotorua. 7M TUTEA FALLS Experience the adrenaline of white water rafting on Kaituna River! She was a pretty gutsy wee thing for sure, says Ryan. background: #f7e221; } Tutea Falls is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, at 7m high. The area attracts not only top kayakers from around the world, but with numerous rafting companies operating on the river, it is a mecca for seasonal workers looking for an OE beyond the ordinary. a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { 18 Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk. Kaituna River Rafting | Best White Water Rafting on the Kaituna River, NZ 0800 772 384 Blog Contact Us "The highlight to our trip to NZ, fun guides, beautiful scenery, and worth every penny! You and your team put your paddles together to give a celebration yell. /*Logo*/ } When Louise responded she was at the Huka Falls, he knew that could only mean one thing. div#bottom-bar { "Eventually the additional tax burden will have to be passed to tenants". Too late, youre plunging down the waterfall in one quick motion. In Okere Falls, however, hes just a regular guy in a spray skirt. Youll also be in small rafting groups, with other boats around to help if anything does happen, which is unlikely. if(window.rs_init_css===undefined) window.rs_init_css = document.head.appendChild(document.createElement("style")); We offer river rafting trips daily on the Kaituna River(Okere River), and seasonal trips on the Waiora, and Rangitaiki River. display: none !important; The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - 7m Tutea Falls. "I'm super proud of all the people who tried to help him, my guides, the nurse and St John." I kind of felt it was the right time to do it.. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 16 Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience. After everyone was dressed for rafting we loaded up in the van and headed to the drop in the area of the Kaituna River to begin our adventure. color: #000; #carousel-container-old { PLACES RAFTED / KAYAKEDNZ, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Russia, Iceland, USA, Canada, Norway, Italy, India, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Germany, Mexico, Spain, France, England, Nepal. We are all shaken by his death." } He knows some will find it hard to understand how he can still be passionate about a sport that has taken away so much. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. White Water Rafting: Rotorua New Zealand Planning Tips. "We voluntarily suspended operations for the day and have met with Maritime New Zealand to explain what happened. position: absolute; Located in the heart of kere Falls, Rotorua Rafting is directly opposite the put in (the start) of the Kaituna River (see map), allowing us to show our knowledge of the surrounding areasBook your spot and find out why Rotorua Rafting was voted #1 Travellers choice experience in New Zealand, #1 in the South Pacific, and in the Top 10 in the world on Trip Advisor 2019 and then again in 2021 sealing the #2 experience in the world! The only hint that this is the epicentre of whitewater paddling in this country is the haphazardly parked cars that line the highway, some sporting brightly coloured kayaks on their roofs. a.same-logo { He is thoughtful, earnest and has an emotional intelligence belying his 25 years. CPT 99238 and 99239 Hospital Discharge E amp M Codes and. border-radius: 3px; They knew their daughters chosen pursuit came with unthinkable risks, but it never made them overly anxious. Take the ultimate thrill ride on this Kaituna River white water rafting tour. With the raw power of the rapids carrying the pair further away from the spot where Louise had got into difficulty, it took a huge amount of effort for them to reach the side of the gorge where they could stop and assess the situation. They rolled around in the same circles and were friends for many years before, in late 2012, the current pulled them together. width: 100% !important; } Best Price Guarantee. The Kaituna River begins at Lake Rotoiti, which is just north of Rotorua, before continuing its long journey to the Bay of Plenty, a journey of around 50 kilometers in length. You just need to be physically fit and ready for a lot of adrenaline and a lot of water. Mr Chhagan said the man was with his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and some friends when the incident occurred. text-align: right; We went down the river in groups of three rafts and waited after every large fall to make sure someone was not unlucky and fell out of the boat. font-weight: bold !important; } border-radius: 3px; display:none !important; The first of the three gorges is known to paddlers as Awesome. } t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; text-align:center!important; I kind of felt like she had my back out there, says Jones. Adrian recalls getting a phone call from his daughter, then 19, suggesting they meet her in Taupo. It is also a good place to disappear. We were all really fired up, I remember Lou looking at me and giving me the vibe like lets do this, says Ryan. } Things will start to get more intense after the second waterfall, as you hit more and more rapids in the build-up to the big drop at Tutea Falls. 0 : parseInt(e.mh,0); Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. This is when the weather is at its best, and considering youre going to be very wet for a few hours, having a bit of sunshine will add to your experience immensely. Jump aboard and enjoy the fun with the team at Rotorua Rafting. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The base for this tour is located on the banks of the Kaituna River, meaning no long bus rides to your destination or waiting around in wetsuits to get picked up. Just a few days after Louises accident, once local iwi had lifted the rahui, he returned to the Kaituna. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION When I began to compile the following collection of Peni A GoPro camera fitted to the bow of Ryans kayak facing back towards him was the only witness to Louises final moments. Rapids water splashing all over while you are crashing thought the water, trying to stay in. The river, and its people, would have called him back. By the time police and a rescue team reached the area and were properly briefed, it was too dark to launch a search. You do need to be able to follow commands, however, as teamwork is integral to a safe rafting experience. Pulled back aboard after a short time in the water, Mr Shah collapsed about 10 minutes later and died at Rotorua Hospital on Thursday. Let the river take you for a wild ride. The water can spray two rows back flowing over the front two rafters. No need to worry about buying special clothing, as wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, boots, splash jackets, and all necessary equipment is provided. } color: #000 !important; /*a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { Like the time she caught the train to a small French town and ended up sleeping on the floor of a hat shop. } Every time we go through theres a few tears. The rest of the river seems pretty tame after that rush but you push on through more rapids. newh = (e.gh[ix] * m) + (e.tabh + e.thumbh); Grab your wet suit, helmet, paddle and hope you do not fall out over the 7-meter waterfall drop. flex-direction: column; Gnarly gorge is where things get particularly, well, gnarly. .mobile-branding{ z-index: 999 !important; Kaituna River - Grade 5 white water rafting From NZD $115.00 Duration: 2 Hours (approx.) The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a273d8792fdd09b8a47fda5587b80cfd" );document.getElementById("d2f8ec4791").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. Simply show up and get ready to raft! The big drop at 7 metres the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world comes further downstream at Tutea Falls, named for the Mori chief whose remains are buried in the cave behind the falls. position: relative; Were a really tight-knit community. @media(max-width:1024px) and (min-width:769px){ Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. } } The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He too has had his moments when he has struggled to reconcile this, but each time his mind arrives back at Okere Falls and the same wonderful truism: I wouldnt have even known Lou if I didnt paddle.. Raft the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world! } For clear evidence, you need only to visit his family bach, where a makeshift ramp connects their deck to the jetty at the edge of the lake some 40m below. He remembers getting a glimpse of her after completing the first difficult move. Co-owner of Kaitiaki Adventures Jason Wright said his sympathy went out to the Shah family. .mobile-mini-widgets-in-menu span{ Or view a regional map of surrounding New Zealand tracks, campgrounds, and lodging. img.ult-align-right { Ryan has spent most of his life chasing waterfalls. A nurse who was on the river at the time performed CPR on the man, along with staff from Kaitiaki Adventures, before being taken to Rotorua Hospital by St John paramedics. align-items: center !important; "Whether there will be an investigation or not will depend on what information we gather in those enquiries," he said. Youll get kitted out and made to go through the motions of paddling by your guides before you are even allowed near the boat. 0:00 / 5:25 Kaituna River Rafting, New Zealand - 21ft Waterfall! RotoruaRafting 2019 / Privacy / Digital Marketing by Rotorua Rafting. margin: 20px; } body .main-nav > li.book > a .menu-text { If it is not the place of drifting, then it is the place of drifters. } } .kaituna-button { background-attachment: scroll !important; border-radius: 3px; Shes just a crack-up, she has so many amazing stories from her adventures, Jones says, skipping between past and present tense, as if she still cant get her head around the fact her best mate is gone. e.tabw = e.tabw===undefined ? max-width: 120px; The couple met in 2009 when Louise, an up-and-coming star on the canoe slalom scene, moved to the area, where the Lucas family have owned a bach for more than 20 years. padding: 8px 16px; @media screen and (max-width: 778px){ flex-wrap: wrap !important; Base Track begins from end of Pilot Quay. display: block; {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Its an adrenaline rush like no other, and of course, you will end up completely soaked too. This has fostered a need to take bigger risks, make bolder decisions, and ride narrower margins of safety. 0 : e.tabw; If she wanted to do something, she would always just go and make it happen.. He was just 20. background-color: #f7e222; He knows that after Louise, people will be thinking has this guy learned nothing?. The explosion of extreme sports like big wave surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing and base jumping has led to a growing body of international research that sets out to examine the motivations of the participants. We cant wait to see all of you legends out Rafting the Kaituna with us . width:50%; In a matter of seconds, you will be at the bottom wiping the water from your face. Join in group. fbq('track', 'PageView'); Dont worry about hitting a rock just let the powerful rapids take you for a wet n wild ride. color: #fff; .team-members-all .pp-tm-content.pp-tm-content-normal { window.innerHeight : window.RSIH; Call 0800 772 384 or Book Online. This is the upper section of the river commonly referred to as the Okere River close to its source at Lake Rotoiti, and its the most intense and exciting stretch of water in New Zealand. You paddle once again, as hard as you can with your whole body then you quickly jump down holding on to the water-soaked rope as you have the sensation of free-falling. The River Rats Kaituna Waterfall Experience will see you paddling through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua. width:15px !important; After getting picked up, youll be taken to the mustering areas on the river to kit up and go through the safety brief, then youll hit the water in your raft. As for Ryan, he continues to travel too, last year taking on the Squamish River zone in British Columbia. I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. Water crashes you in the face as you plunge down the first set of rapids. left: 55% !important; Once there, we were briefed on the trip and sent out to get fitted with our gear for the day and meet our river guides. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. } min-height: 112px !important; e.thumbw = e.thumbhide>=pw ? } Photo / NZME. Youll be in safe hands, so just enjoy the ride! Of course, though, the rapids require rain to make them formidable, and you will find the most intense white water rafting Rotorua just after a rainstorm! } #carousel-container { #test_m .the7_testimonials_carousel-8325ae0.testimonials-carousel .dt-owl-item-image { Hearing about Suttons adventures motivated Ryan, then about 15, to get involved. Ascend Mount Tarawera by off-road 4x4 vehicle and a guided hike to the summit. The group had only just entered into Gnarly gorge Morley went through first, followed by Ryan, with Louise trailing the pack a decision Ryan still beats himself up over. " Stephanie - Germany KAITUNA Liz: We dont want what happened to Louise to discourage young people from chasing their dreams. He remembers the first time he decided whitewater kayaking was for him. It must have been quite the scene for the local milliner to have been confronted with: this tiny, whippet-like Kiwi barely out of her teens loaded up with a giant pack and a kayak. .elementor-slideshow__description{ e.gh : e.el; Before getting into the water, the experienced guides will show you what you need to know to make it down the river. Through the depths of the magnificent bush lined gorge, the Kaituna river, Okere awa offers a 45 minute trip over 14 rapids including the 7 metre Tutea falls. } River Rats picked us up at our hostel and away we went for a 20-minute drive to their main office. background-color: var(--the7-accent-color); Just before Christmas, Ryan took some of Louises friends who were visiting from overseas back down the gorges. display: flex; Rafting through the Okere Falls scenic reserve and the world renowned Tutea falls. width:100% !important; I enjoy scuba diving and cars. .elementor-2460 .elementor-element.elementor-element-73743d91 .elementskit-accordion .elementskit-card-body p { Our sweet Rafting Base in Okere Falls is in an awesome sunny location, surrounded by a scenic reserve and backs onto the shores of the Kaituna. A police spokeswoman said police and Hato Hone St John Ambulance personnel were advised of. function setREVStartSize(e){ margin: 30px 0; Its safe enough to be used for commercial rafting runs as well as a training ground for mid-level kayakers. color: #000000; Grade 4 | White Water Rafting Bay of Plenty, One Hell of a combo | With Hells Gate & Kaituna Cascades. .book-now { padding: 10px 10px; Learn more All Rotorua Tours The couple and top British kayaker Joe Morley, a regular visitor to New Zealand, decided to go for a paddle after work. Kaituna River Rafting | Whitewater Rafting Rotorua | Raft the Kaituna River 0800 772 384 KAITUNA RIVER RAFTING $115pp book now enquire now monthly special ROTORUA ZIPLINE + RAFTING COMBO: $224 LOCK IT IN! /*color: #3A444D;*/ In other words, there is one death for every 250,000 to 400,000 "person visits" of whitewater rafting. top: 7% !important; The minimum age is 15 years. .footer-1 .widget-title { .vc_custom_1619577787216 { } }*/ font-size: 12px !important; padding-left: 85px; We have handpicked experienced guides that we would trust to take our grandma rafting on the Kaituna River. input#input_1_3 { 15 Rotorua: The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour. Before you know it, you are at your first set of class 5 rapids. Raft down the world's highest rafted waterfall before lathering up in the MUD BATHS. Dont let the water splashes and the crashing of the rapids scare you away. } A man has died after a rafting adventure down the Kaituna River turned to tragedy. if(e.layout==="fullscreen" || e.l==="fullscreen") It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. It was inevitable that their paths would cross here. Be sure to make Kaituna river rafting your first stop adventure activity in Rotorua! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. suburbs to avoid in tauranga. You canlearnmore about us here. .bottom-text-block{ You have only a moment to catch your breath before the next waterfall meets you. margin-bottom: 0; One trip you should not miss on the North Island when you visit Rotorua is a rafting trip with River Rats Rafting. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. text-align: left; Its a place like no other for adventure seekers, and its found just outside of Rotorua, in the heart of the North Island. There are large rock cliffs with all kinds of growth over the waterway. width:100% !important; All promotions. It was where she felt really good. .carousel-container-content h2 { } If you do fall out theres a guide in a kayak to save you along with your fellow rafters. The white water rafting Rotorua tour will begin gently enough, as you paddle along the calm beginning. z-index: 999; In March 2016 almost a year to the day of Louises death Waikato paddler Sean Curtis died after getting into difficulty on the Whitcombe River, south of Hokitika. } You know? Pretty much all my friends are river people rafters, kayakers, river guides, he says. .footer .widget .kaituna-button, These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We are the closest and most accessible company to the river. } } Ryan obtusely refers to the inherent risks of his sport as consequence. z-index: 0 !important; She became really wrapped in the adventure aspect exploring wild rivers, which is something you cant really do in the slalom world, her father explains. background-color: #f7e222 !important; She wasnt the first of Ryans friends killed in the sport; she hasnt been the last. order: 2 !important; .elementor-slideshow__title{ Sledging is available from November 1st to April 30th, subject to availability, water levels and minimum numbers. color:#fff !important; margin-right:10px !important; width: 200px; document.getElementById(e.c).height = newh+"px"; What they know is Louise got her line slightly wrong and was sucked towards a partially submerged log, flipping awkwardly on to the debris. Spend three adrenaline-crammed hours white water rafting down the Kaituna River on this tour from Rotorua. .fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small{ text-align: left; color: #000 !important; } } .mini-contacts.phone.show-on-desktop.in-menu-first-switch.in-menu-second-switch.first a { It is not a stretch to say she felt her presence in Rio de Janeiro last year, when she pulled off the run of her life to claim the silver medal. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { Its a continuation of the Awesome gorge style of paddling but much narrower becoming tunnel-like in places and faster, due to the steeper gradient. Raft past beautiful cascading waterfalls, including the stunning Tutea Falls, and even take the opportunity to do some adventurous cliff diving. Louise had plans off the water as well. We are the closest and most accessible company to the river.