Gnarly gorge is where things get particularly, well, gnarly. Her family tells us she saved a life before losing her own. There was a guy who wanted to paddle the Huka Falls, so the kayak shop put him in touch with Louise and they did it. background-color: #F7E222; New Zealand is known for its extreme activities and sports throughout the country. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. margin-top: 40px !important; .bottom-text-block{ fbq('track', 'PageView');
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. } 18 Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk. The person he becomes on the river would have called him back. The rest of the river seems pretty tame after that rush but you push on through more rapids. Media Coverage; Podcast; Films. One potential legislative measure considered was closing the lower gorges of the Kaituna to kayakers. position: absolute; Join in group. Working in Rotorua had its benefits, however, with Louise able to take up residence with Lucas at Okere Falls. a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { e.gh = Array.isArray(e.gh) ? } When I was here for her funeral I was 100 per cent sure I would never go back to the lower gorges again, because it just felt impossible for me, says Hradilek. The beauty of the Kaituna River is unmatched around the World and its hard to keep your eyes on the rapids as they come up. height: 105px !important; New Zealand has become a second home to me, Hradilek says in a distinctive Czech-Kiwi accent that backs up his assertion. .pricing-custom ul.pp-pricing-table-features{ Ryan obtusely refers to the inherent risks of his sport as consequence. She had navigated this section of the river without incident numerous times that summer, including just four days earlier. } And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog. e.tabhide = e.tabhide===undefined ? Your local guides are going to be experienced and well versed in taking newcomers and old hands alike out onto the Kaituna River. It wasnt always easy to watch. Ryan describes returning home that night without his girlfriend as the most gut-wrenching moment of his life. color: #000 !important; Kaituna River Rafting English. text-align: right; As you keep paddling, the sounds of water falling over the rocks become the soundtrack of your day while your guide tells you how to navigate the river. 0 : parseInt(e.tabw); 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. } 0 : parseInt(e.mh,0); font-size: 16px !important; n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
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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! 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. margin-top:25px; } } .gallery-shortcode img { Meet us at our base Hangar 14s, Rotorua Airport, 837 Te Ngae Road . Be sure to make Kaituna river rafting your first stop adventure activity in Rotorua! Roy then dragged Ryan from his kayak and revived him. Did a wasp go past and she flicked it and that put her off course? /* width: 230px !important; */ } #carousel-container-old { text-align: left !important; Fuelled by a cocktail of desperation and adrenalin, Ryan clambered up the side of the steep rock wall and along the rim of the canyon, all the while using the whistle on his life jacket to let his girlfriend know he was coming for her. } padding-left: 85px; It led her to reassess what she wanted from the sport. 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. Since the very beginning Ryans goals have been about the adventure and challenging himself to push his limits. The demands of the tourist town quickly outstripped the supply from the station, and it was decommissioned in the mid-1930s. The second drop becomes more intense, and a lot steeper. 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. Although none of their four children compete in slalom any more, Louises parents volunteered to be judges. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
Maritime New Zealand spokesman Ross Henderson said preliminary enquiries were underway. Location of the Kaituna River and How to Travel There. Of the 12 deaths reported this year by American Whitewater, four died while rafting with commercial rafting companies. } 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. "Whether there will be an investigation or not will depend on what information we gather in those enquiries," he said. Take on 14 rapids with world class guides and gear. } She was right behind me and then I never saw her again.. padding: 8px 16px; The first drop at Okere Falls is simple enough, and you will adjust to the raft and get used to paddling, while still getting very wet. } .dt-owl-item-description { White Water Rafting: Rotorua New Zealand Planning Tips. The couple and top British kayaker Joe Morley, a regular visitor to New Zealand, decided to go for a paddle after work. top: 5px;
Meet at location. } } Louise had written about these risks in a blog posted less than a month before her death. ix = 0, The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';
There doesnt appear to be much to it from the main road. } We offer river rafting trips daily on the Kaituna River(Okere River), and seasonal trips on the Waiora, and Rangitaiki River. The Olympic silver medalist is sporting royalty back home in the Czech Republic. The river, and its people, would have called him back. What draws me to this place is not just the river, but the community. @media(max-width:1200px) and (min-width:767px){ A 50 minute action packed ride down 14 epic rapids featuring the worlds highest rafted waterfall! A man in his 50s has died after reportedly getting into difficulty in a Bay of Plenty river yesterday. .mobile-header-bar{ The beginning of the trip starts off mild so its easy to get into the flow of rafting the river. River Rats Base. Ryan had just come back from a five-month injury lay-off the longest of his career and was eager to spend any spare moment on the water. input#input_1_3 { "We voluntarily suspended operations for the day and have met with Maritime New Zealand to explain what happened. @media screen and (max-width: 1920px) and (min-width:769px){ 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. @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { /*Logo*/ color: #000; Yet he doesnt consider taking on such challenges to be an act of recklessness, rather an act of faith in his abilities. One thing she couldnt make happen was the Olympics. There are three waterfalls in the upper section of the river, the first of which sits alongside the remains of what was one of the first hydroelectric power stations in New Zealand. .ekit-wid-con .elementskit-accordion.accordion-4 .elementskit-card-header > .elementskit-btn-link { Okere Falls marks the beginning of the Kaituna River. That was her, she would always just go ahead and do it.. margin-left:0px; Sledging is available from November 1st to April 30th, subject to availability, water levels and minimum numbers. You just need to be physically fit and ready for a lot of adrenaline and a lot of water. [GoPro] 18,193 views Dec 29, 2016 Whitewater rafting the beautiful Kaituna River near Rotorua, New Zealand. color: #000; Including free pick up from your Central Rotorua accommodation. .single-tour .page-title { /*color: #3A444D;*/ 33-year-old Emily Fournier of. 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. border-radius: 3px; The river has been run regularly by rafting and kayak since 1991. Youll be in safe hands, so just enjoy the ride! } } We arrive at Huka Falls and heres Luuka [Jones] on the bridge with a throw rope [a line thrown into the water if a paddler gets into trouble]. } } For Louises parents, Liz and Adrian Jull, the Okere Falls landmarks provide tangible reminders of their youngest child: the general store, where Louise worked before embarking on a teaching career; Taheke Marae, where her funeral took place; the put-in area, where the family released flowers into the stream and said their final goodbyes.
16 Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience. AKAROA: PRINTED BY H. C. JACOBSON, "MAIL" OFFICE 1893. When they say paddle to the right you paddle to the right if they say get down you get down and grab the raft. Her parents would often only later hear what she had been up to. a.dt-mobile-menu-icon { Book your spot and find out why Rotorua Rafting was ranked #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! On this guided tour, you will spend 50 minutes sailing down Kaituna, one of New Zealand's most famous rafting destinations. He was put back into the raft after a short time in the water but collapsed about 10 minutes later. } } By the time police and a rescue team reached the area and were properly briefed, it was too dark to launch a search. window.RSIW : pw; Its a story that defies belief. } #main { There are several other steep drops on the run, and seven fun Class III rapids in between. @media screen and (max-width: 782px){ No need to worry about buying special clothing, as wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, boots, splash jackets, and all necessary equipment is provided. Thats all I had left of her, he says, crying. According to the International Scale of River Difficulty, whitewater streams are graded one to six, with one being an easy, gentle passage and six being unrunnable for all but a few experts. Bain could find no easy answer. They had been confronted by death in their network of friends all too often. margin-right:10px !important; } border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px 20px; display:none !important; top: 7% !important; 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! Select options. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In that moment his life quite literally hangs in the balance. margin: 0 10px;
.mobile-header-bar .mobile-branding img, .branding a img, .branding img { I enjoy scuba diving and cars. right: 5%; right: 5% !important; } #carousel-container .ult-item-wrap { span.menu-text { Listen carefully during the instructional session beforehand. display: none !important; 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. function setREVStartSize(e){ Kaituna River: 3.5-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience 4.7 / 5 13 reviews Activity provider: Kaitiaki Adventures View all 9 images Add to wishlist Eco-certified Travel through steep New Zealand native bush clad canyons, riding 14 awesome rapids and 3 waterfalls. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. z-index: 999 !important; input#input_1_3 { } Its a wild trip; you cross your arms and put your feet forward while the rapids suck you downstream. min-height:64px; text-align:left !important; The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This white water rafting trip is the ideal outing for adventure lovers. flex-wrap: wrap !important; } margin-bottom: -20px !important; right:0px !important; River Rats Rafting, for instance, will provide you with transfers to and from your accommodation in Rotorua, meaning you dont have to worry about a thing, just the rapids awaiting you on the river. This reflects the fact that things are very much busier in New Zealand during the summer season, which roughly runs from November to March. }.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; } position: relative; 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 e.gh : e.el; I wasnt a very good kayaker then, my skills werent all there and I pretty much just chopped my way down. Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River rafting - See 1,518 traveler reviews, 219 candid photos, and great deals for Rotorua, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. width: 100%; e.tabh = e.tabh===undefined ? When he says a drop or a certain stretch of rapids has consequence, what hes saying is, if mistakes are made really bad things can happen. a.same-logo { Your guide will tell you what to do and when to do it way in advance before you plunge down the different twists, turns and drops of the river. Its as committing as it possibly gets. } .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on) .main-nav > .book > a .menu-text { The River Rats Kaituna Waterfall Experience will see you paddling through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua. Just a few days after Louises accident, once local iwi had lifted the rahui, he returned to the Kaituna. 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. We cant wait to see all of you legends out Rafting the Kaituna with us . The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - 7m Tutea Falls. Jump aboard and enjoy the fun with the team at Rotorua Rafting. 17 Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting. He was in a raft guided by a man working for local rafting company Kaitiaki Adventures. The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world 7m Tutea Falls.
It is also where Ryan and Louises love story began and the starting point of their fateful trip on March 11, 2015. bottom: 50%; 19 From Auckland: Hobbiton & Rotorua Tour with Lunch at Te Puia. } background: #f7e221; Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20 minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. }
You may be thinking this is crazy, as your goal is to stay in the boat. Others have returned in their own time. She was a pretty gutsy wee thing for sure, says Ryan. border-radius: 3px; Raft down the world's highest rafted waterfall before lathering up in the MUD BATHS. She cant help but wonder if the other LJ may have had a little something to do with the delightfully unexpected result. She loved living in Okere with Ryan. text-align: center !important; .sticky-mobile-on .mobile-navigation { background-color: #fff; padding-right: 0; color: black !important; The Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall The Okere (Kaituna) River is situated at Okere Falls, between Rotorua (20 minutes drive) and Tauranga (45 minutes drive). 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. width: 100%; I was very strong when I spoke at the coroners court to say that we didnt want that section of river closed off. @media screen and (min-width:768px) { It is also here the person he loved and cared about more than anything in the world drowned. e.thumbw = e.thumbhide>=pw ? .kaituna-button { A man in his 50s had got into difficulty in the Kaituna River and, despite attempts by medical staff, [was] unable to be revived and died at the scene. margin-top: 33px !important; .footer-1 .wpb_raw_code.wpb_content_element.wpb_raw_html{ After 20 minutes of increasingly frantic searching, Ryan made his way back downstream to Morley, who, with a shake of his head, heaped terror upon the dread. In all, Ryan has lost seven friends, all drowned. } .vc_custom_1619577787216 { He acknowledged risk-taking in sport was a big societal question, but was difficult to legislate against without taking away the free will of the athletes. It was close to all the things she loved doing, Liz says. You will get wet, very wet, so make ensure that you bring some warm clothes to change into at the end of the trip, particularly if the weather looks like it might take a turn for the worse. color: #fff; .default-btn-shortcode { 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. I expected to hear her whistle back straight away, he says, gnashing his teeth as he clenches his jaw to prevent himself from breaking down. padding: 10px 10px; } Still, dropping into Gnarly gorge is never easy. } things to do in rotorua for couples. Double-check with your tour provider beforehand, to ensure they provide this service for you because you will want to take home the photos. padding-left: 20px; Before you know it, you are at your first set of class 5 rapids. width: 100%; bottom: -80px; } Get wet, Get wild, Get stuck in! 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. body .fh-button-true-flat-red { Our aim is to be the highlight of your holiday in New Zealand and give you the best rafting experience ever! } /*color: #3A444D;*/ It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. President of the Rotorua Indian Association Harry Chhagan said members had been with the dead man's family, offering support and comfort. 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.. Whitewater Rafting Rotorua Rotorua's Rafting Experts, SAVE $10 Per Person Use Promo Code: CASCADES. Wishlist. padding-bottom: 0 !important; .mobile-navigation{ } Against a soundtrack of poppy summer tunes blasting over the loudspeaker at the park, the Julls sat down to talk about their daughters extraordinary life. .elementor-2460 .elementor-element.elementor-element-73743d91 .elementskit-accordion .elementskit-card-body p { The white water rafting Rotorua tour will begin gently enough, as you paddle along the calm beginning. WebMedicare Billing Codes" cpt 99501 description. 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. border-radius: 3px; American Whitewater reports that on average, there are only 6 to 10 whitewater rafting deaths for each 2.5 million user days on guided rafting trips. text-align: left; Kaituna White-Water Rafting Adventure 500 Reviews Badge of Excellence Rotorua, New Zealand Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out From $81.36 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. max-width: 120px; body .main-nav > li.book > a .menu-text { #tripadvisor-loader { 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. } "They are obviously very sad and shocked by his tragic death. Some of them dont use it as much as others, but theres always some link back to that river. Rotorua Raftings mission is simple. You dont need any prior experience prior to doing this, and tour companies claim you dont even need to be able to swim as youll be fully kitted out in lifejackets the whole time. s Louise, who came through the canoe slalom ranks with Jones, had been gunning for selection for the London Games in 2012 but was unable to make the mark on the international stage shed hoped. There are around 14 big rapids in total not counting smaller bumps along the way! This week's death was the third as a result of an incident on the Kaituna River since last August. He insisted on supplying footage where things have gone wrong. Ryan was knocked unconscious after his head slammed into the front of his kayak on landing. .wprs_unslider { } } Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company is the # 1 rafting company in Rotorua on TripAdvisor! }
The sequence of events we will never fully know.. order: 2 !important; FAIRFIELD, Maine (WABI) - A Fairfield woman died Saturday morning in a whitewater rafting accident. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 7M TUTEA FALLS Experience the adrenaline of white water rafting on Kaituna River! It is understood the man had a heart attack after being thrown from the raft he was in at Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River. 0 : e.thumbw; Water crashes you in the face as you plunge down the first set of rapids. Louise had plans off the water as well. As they neared the town, they got in touch to arrange a place to meet. People ask why do I do it? For me, the most alive I have ever felt is in my kayak. If you do fall out theres a guide in a kayak to save you along with your fellow rafters. 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. for (var i in e.rl) nl[i] = e.rl[i]
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