| Aotearoa beckons you to an amazing rapids rafting | | | | swimsuit and some cash for snacks along the trip to |
| adventure that is guaranteed to incite your adrenaline | | | | or from the river. |
| to new levels. This sport originated in America and | | | | The most popular white water rafting spots in the |
| attained popularity in New Zealand in the late 70s. It is | | | | South Island of New Zealand are along the Kawarau, |
| a well established adventure sport in its own right. | | | | Shotover and Rangitata rivers (one of the premier |
| Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's | | | | courses in the country). The Karamea and Buller rivers |
| gradient (rate at which a river loses its elevation) drops | | | | to the north of the island offer superb rafting |
| enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable | | | | adventures. The Waiho and Arnold rivers on the West |
| current; the frothy water appears white. The term is | | | | Coast offer great rafting adventures. |
| also used loosely to refer to less-turbulent but still | | | | In the North Island of New Zealand, the Rangitaiki, |
| agitated flows. | | | | Rangitikei, Tongariro and Wairoa rivers offer fantastic |
| The term "white water" also has a broader meaning, | | | | white water rafting adventures. Rotorua showcases |
| applying to any river or creek itself that has a | | | | the Kaituna cascades which has a spectacular 3 |
| significant number of rapids. (Source: Wikipedia) | | | | metre drop at Okere Falls. |
| The success of the NZ Rafting industry is largely due | | | | You can see that the water rafting thrills are well |
| to this beautiful country being blessed with the | | | | spread out over both the North Island and South Island. |
| presence of fast free flowing rivers with magnificent | | | | To travel form one site to another, you will need a |
| water courses whose source is in interior mountains. | | | | good vehicle. This is where we can assist you by |
| They run through forests into the sea. | | | | providing a fine New Zealand car rental and/or a New |
| Although the sport had raft design problems in its early | | | | Zealand campervan. |
| stages of development and raw and keen guides, | | | | Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no |
| today the scenario has altered dramatically with cutting | | | | maneuvering. (Skill Level: None) |
| edge design technology and guides more skilled and | | | | Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, small |
| qualified as ever in terms of keenness and safety | | | | drops, might require maneuvering. (Skill Level: Basic |
| procedures. | | | | Paddling Skill) |
| A variety of rafts are built to adapt to changing river | | | | Class 3: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe a 3-5 ft |
| flows. | | | | drop, but not much considerable danger. May require |
| There are self bailing rafts for high flows,self bailing | | | | significant maneuvering. (Skill Level:Experienced |
| rafts for medium to low flows and the inflatable | | | | paddling skills) |
| kayaks variety when the river gets really low. | | | | Class 4: Whitewater, large waves, rocks, maybe a |
| Rivers are usually graded as Category 1 to Category | | | | considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. |
| 5. | | | | (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience) |
| Rafting can range anywhere from drifitng along tranquil | | | | Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, large rocks and |
| rivers to mind blowing full scale assault on the senses | | | | hazards, maybe a large drop, precise maneuvering |
| with hardly any space to breathe as you get wet and | | | | (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience) |
| drenched down tumultous and wild Grade 5 river | | | | Class 6: Whitewater, typically with huge waves, huge |
| course. | | | | rocks and hazards, huge drops, but sometimes labeled |
| Please note that an age limit of 12 to 13 years applies | | | | thusly due to largely invisible dangers (i.e., a smooth |
| on the rougher river courses. | | | | slide that creates a near-perfect, almost inescapable, |
| A detailed listing at the bottom of this article explains | | | | hydraulic, as at Woodall Shoals/Chattooga). Class 6 |
| the various Class gradings. | | | | rapids are considered hazardous even for expert |
| You will be provided all safety gear by your tour | | | | paddlers using state-of-the-art equipment, and come |
| operator. You will be well advised to take a towel, a | | | | with the warning "danger to life or limb. |