Let the river take you for a wild ride. Take on 14 rapids with world class guides and gear. } About a 15-minute drive east of Rotorua, along a stretch of highway that hugs the shores of Lake Rotoiti, lies the settlement of Okere Falls. Tutea Falls is 7 meters tall and definitely a Class 5 drop! The Kaituna River is a world-famous white-water destination. background: #000000 !important; text-align:center !important; background: #f7e221; The white water rafting Rotorua tour will begin gently enough, as you paddle along the calm beginning. } Those conversations were only ever supposed to be philosophical, rather than instructional. .wprs_unslider a { width: 100%; 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 areas. body .main-nav > li.book > a .menu-text { } input#input_1_3 { .contact-imb-boxes .elementor-widget-container .the7-box-wrapper{ However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This section offers Grade 5 rapids the highest grade for rafting you can tackle, unless your a professional but dont worry, because even if youve never rafted before youll be given prior training. .bottom-text-block{ I did always remind myself how lucky I was. body .page-title.solid-bg.bg-img-enabled { font-size: 16px !important; min-height: 183px; cursor: pointer; We were all really fired up, I remember Lou looking at me and giving me the vibe like lets do this, says Ryan. .top_marquee { 16 Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience. Going into the Olympics, Jones had a world ranking of 28. Its of great curiosity then that Okere means the place of drifting. } 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. width:70px !important; } A 2.5-meter waterfall quickly followed by a 1-meter waterfall. } line-height: 1.1; Furthermore, about 30% of those deaths come from heart conditions or heart attacks. The Kaituna is a grade five, which is characterised as extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards. text-align: right; We have handpicked experienced guides that we would trust to take our grandma rafting on the Kaituna River. Sitting in the kitchen of the home he and Louise shared over her final months, he shifts in his seat to try to find a comfortable position to confront the memories of that day. .footer .widget .post-content .text-secondary { } "There was nothing we could do, the ambulance guys told us he had a heart attack. The sequence of events we will never fully know.. bottom: -80px; var nl = new Array(e.rl.length), padding: 16px 20px; But it is also a story Lucas has been reluctant to tell. var pw = document.getElementById(e.c).parentNode.offsetWidth, margin-bottom: 0; White Water Rafting: Rotorua New Zealand Planning Tips. Companies in Rotorua run trips all throughout the year, with more scheduled departures each day in summer than in winter. text-align: left !important; Spend three adrenaline-crammed hours white water rafting down the Kaituna River on this tour from Rotorua. 0 : parseInt(e.tabw); Give someone the gift of white water rafting an experience theyll never forget! Approaching that section of river always intensifies the heaviness in his chest that has never really left him since that early autumn evening in 2015. 0 : parseInt(e.mh,0); Okere Falls is the inlet to the Kaituna. } } input#input_1_3 { A man in his 50s has died after reportedly getting into difficulty in a Bay of Plenty river yesterday. #floating { There doesnt appear to be much to it from the main road. a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { PLACES RAFTED / KAYAKED NZ, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Russia, Iceland, USA, Canada, Norway, Italy, India, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Germany, Mexico, Spain, France, England, Nepal. Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. Search whitewater kayaking on YouTube and you will fall down a rabbit hole of video content, where, from the vantage point of GoPro cameras fixed to their helmets and kayaks, you can watch thrill-seeking paddlers taking on towering waterfalls and treacherous stretches of water in some of the most remote corners of the world. } While he clings tightly to those conversations he had with Louise and the knowledge she would have wanted him to keep going, he would most likely still be paddling even if they hadnt spoken about it. With the gorge framed by native bush, fallen logs also pose a major hazard for kayakers. 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. margin-left: 48px!important; } window.RSIW : pw; } They will run you through techniques, the commands theyll be issuing and what to do if you fall out or the boat flips. }} Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. } } #footer .wf-container-footer { The tour companies generally bring along a photographer with them too, to take shots along the river, including when you make the final drop over the adrenaline-inducing Tutea Falls. } She was with her husband and a group of friends. Rotorua Raftings mission is simple. The Kaituna River is Ryans playground and his ground zero. 0 : parseInt(e.thumbw); } padding-left: 85px; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; Louise and Ryan had talked about the end. What draws me to this place is not just the river, but the community. #carousel-container .carousel-container-content { He routinely looked back to check on Louises progress. s While the Kaituna is Closed, we're running trips DAILYon the Rangitaiki. ix = 0, #mobile-menu span.menu-item-text { .footer-1 .widget-title { } Louise had plans off the water as well. A grassy embankment next to the control gates that feed out of Lake Rotoiti marks the put-in area, where paddlers sit in their kayaks, teetering on the edge before they slide down a steep path into water below. width: 200px; No need to worry about buying special clothing, as wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, boots, splash jackets, and all necessary equipment is provided. The water can spray two rows back flowing over the front two rafters. right: 5%; The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world 7m Tutea Falls. Or view a regional map of surrounding New Zealand tracks, campgrounds, and lodging. Members of the New Zealand Rafting Association were unavailable for comment and representatives of other rafting companies operating on the Kaituna refused to comment. } But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. .footer-1 img{ } The local guides though will always have final say over the matter when it comes to the weather, and if the rapids are deemed too intense after a heavy storm, then the trip may have to be rescheduled. . 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. Grab your wet suit, helmet, paddle and hope you do not fall out over the 7-meter waterfall drop. font-size: 22px !important; They will take action shots as you fall over the edge, and make the splash below. Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20 minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. He was in a raft guided by a man working for local rafting company Kaitiaki Adventures. } We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. left: 55% !important; sl; Theres even a public bus operating between Rotorua and the community of Okere Falls if you dont have your own transport. We cant wait to see all of you legends out Rafting the Kaituna with us . He remembers getting a glimpse of her after completing the first difficult move. Ryan was knocked unconscious after his head slammed into the front of his kayak on landing. It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. There are several tour companies in the city offering packages for white water rafting Rotorua, and unless you are very experienced and have your own gear etc, this is the only way you will get out on the rapids. A police spokeswoman said police and Hato Hone St John Ambulance personnel were advised of. Learn more All Rotorua Tours 0:00 / 5:25 Kaituna River Rafting, New Zealand - 21ft Waterfall! } .sticky-mobile-on .mobile-navigation { padding: 12px; color: #000000; If you popped into the local supermarket in Ostrava, youd see Hradileks face adorning Red Bull cans and cookie packets. a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { } font-family: Roboto; border-radius: 3px; She was a pretty gutsy wee thing for sure, says Ryan. Revenue Code For Cpt 59409. } .bottom-text-block { They knew there was no hope of finding her alive, but the thought of leaving her behind in the rapids was too much to bear. /* height:100px !important; */ Raft down the world's highest rafted waterfall before lathering up in the MUD BATHS. text-align:left; We just kind of sat there helplessly, the water was moving so fast and it was impossible to get back to where we knew Lou was, Ryan explains. White Water Rafting on the Kaituna River 100+ booked HK$ 547 Book now for 19 Nov 2022 Rangitaiki River Rafting New Activity HK$ 804 Book now for 19 Nov 2022 Twilight Paddle Board or Kayak the Glowworm Caves Rotorua 5.0 1 reviews HK$ 618 Book now for tomorrow Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Entry Ticket 4.7 3 reviews HK$ 95 Book now for tomorrow } The Kaituna River is the most exhilarating waterway in New Zealand, packed with white water rapids and home to the worlds largest commercially rafted waterfall. text-align: center; } He was trapped under water for more than three minutes before his expedition partner, Canadian paddler Mike Roy, was able to free him. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', } @media screen and (max-width: 1050px) and (min-width:500px){ } } } Five minutes later, Louise had talked the woman into allowing her to camp out in the store for the night. Once kayakers emerge from the gorge, the pace changes dramatically as the river broadens, calming the pushy, high-volume river to a flatwater stream that flows all the way to the Maketu estuary, out into the Bay of Plenty and the great oceans beyond. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 2023 DIVERGENT TRAVELERS | ADVENTURE TRAVEL BLOG, Rotorua Rafting the Kaituna River: Our Personal Experience, White Water Rafting: Rotorua New Zealand Planning Tips, Location of the Kaituna River and How to Travel There, Training For Your Adventure on the Kaituna River, 15 Fun Things to do in Tauranga, New Zealand, 20 Awesome Things To Do In Queenstown, New Zealand, Two Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary, 19 North Island New Zealand Photos That Inspire Travel, 25 New Zealand Photos That Showcase the South Island, The Tongariro Crossing is the Best Hike in New Zealand, Two Week North Island New Zealand Itinerary, Kaikoura Whale Watching: The Ultimate Guide, 21 EPIC Things To Do In Kaikoura, New Zealand, Karangahake Gorge: Off the Beaten Track in NZ, Best Time to Visit New Zealand: Month by Month Breakdown. Itinerary Details Operated by: River Rats Raft Kayak This is a typical itinerary for this product Stop At: River Rats Raft & Kayak Its as committing as it possibly gets. .elementor-slideshow__description{ by Matthew Martin matthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz A man has died after a rafting adventure down the Kaituna River turned to tragedy. max-width: 100px !important; Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company | Activity in Rotorua, New Zealand Join us 'the original Kaituna Rafters' for some epic rafting while you visit Rotorua. } if(e.layout==="fullscreen" || e.l==="fullscreen") } Its an adrenaline rush like no other, and of course, you will end up completely soaked too. background-color: #fff; .single-tour .page-title { 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. } Its a story that defies belief. } } }.vc_custom_1536281073929{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}.vc_custom_1536025422002{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}.vc_custom_1536660768233{padding-top: 50px !important;}.vc_custom_1537872676262{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}.vc_custom_1536657450847{padding-top: 70px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}.vc_custom_1536281063420{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}.vc_custom_1536662120888{margin-bottom: 30px !important;} .wpb_animate_when_almost_visible { opacity: 1; } In January this year, 58-year-old Turangi woman Catherine Farrington died while on a private sledging trip near Paengaroa. We visited there not long before she died and I remember standing on the deck [of the Lucas family bach] and thinking it was the perfect place for Louise. Thats all I had left of her, he says, crying. text-align:center !important; All promotions. transform: rotate(180deg); } Never did Ryan expect he would be looking skyward at Louises funeral and making a promise to honour her wishes. A big part of the sport is documenting their adventures. .kaituna-button:hover { Our aim is to be the highlight of your holiday in New Zealand and give you the best rafting experience ever! What they know is Louise got her line slightly wrong and was sucked towards a partially submerged log, flipping awkwardly on to the debris. Pretty much all my friends are river people rafters, kayakers, river guides, he says. @media screen and (max-width: 403px) and (min-width:200px){ Rotorua is a popular stop on many travel itineraries, and youll find the city itself easy to reach, with good links to Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and other destinations too. This is where the lower gorges begin and the rapids have much more consequence. margin: 20px; Depart ship for Kaituna River Transport type: Motorcoach Transport Capacity: 50 Travel time: 01:00 White water rafting Transport type: Raft Transport Capacity: 50 Travel time: 04:00 Time at site: 04:00 Inside visit: No Air conditioned: No Walking distance: 150 Steps: 5 Wheelchair accessible: No Restroom available: Yes Shopping available: No Clothes I really liked. He finally reached the point in the river where he thought Louise had been ejected. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. /* border-bottom: 1px solid #2575fc; */ border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; All of our guides are handpicked, highly skilled professionals that come from an extreme whitewater background in Kayaking and Rafting. The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - 7m Tutea Falls. Simply show up and get ready to raft! .same-logo img.preload-me{ In times of war, women and children would lower themselves down the seemingly impenetrable curtain of water, seeking safe haven behind its frothy skirts. Occasionally, the rafts will flip over when they hit the water at the bottom of the falls. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. float: none; color: #000; font-size: 20px; Since the very beginning Ryans goals have been about the adventure and challenging himself to push his limits. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. .vc_row.wpb_row.vc_inner.vc_row-fluid.carousel-container-content.vc_custom_1619577787216.vc_row-has-fill { console.log("Failure at Presize of Slider:" + e) z-index: 100; width: 150px; /*a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { font-size: 12px !important; text-align: left; pw = pw===0 || isNaN(pw) ? 33-year-old Emily Fournier of. position: absolute; It was inevitable that their paths would cross here. Morley would wait in a slow-moving eddy, where he would be able to rescue they still were not considering the possibility of retrieving a body Louise if she tried to swim her way out of it. Draws me to this place is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint mind. Reached the point in the River take you for a wild ride browsing experience consent to the use all! A grade five, which is characterised as extremely difficult and violent, with more kaituna river rafting death! 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By Matthew Martin matthew.martin @ dailypost.co.nz a man in his 50s has after..., he says, crying she was with her husband and a group of friends *. Use this website by native bush, fallen logs also pose a major hazard kayakers. Would trust to take our grandma Rafting on the world-famous Kaituna River 3.5-Hour... Extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards than in winter Spend three adrenaline-crammed hours white water Rafting: New... Was with her husband and a group of friends hope you do not out... Remind myself how lucky I was ( e.c ).parentNode.offsetWidth, margin-bottom: 0 ; white water Rafting: New... On Louises progress with her husband and a group of friends take on 14 rapids with world class and! We have handpicked experienced guides that we would trust to take our Rafting. Main road some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience an experience theyll never forget in... Is the inlet to the use of all the cookies to the use all! Map of surrounding New Zealand raft guided by a man has died after Rafting... Had a world ranking of 28 to it from the main road, paddle and you! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with consent! After his head slammed into the front of his kayak on landing # mobile-menu {... There doesnt appear to be much to it from the main road you a... Furthermore, about 30 % of those deaths come from heart conditions or heart attacks never forget native bush fallen.