} It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. } As she exited, her spray skirt - what paddlers wear to clip them into their kayak - got caught on a branch protruding from the log. text-align:center; Two others were reportedly floating on an inner tube, two fell off a paddleboard and one person was in a kayak. Theres even a public bus operating between Rotorua and the community of Okere Falls if you dont have your own transport. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. z-index:9999 !important; You canlearnmore about us here. #tripadvisor-loader { } .dt-mobile-menu-icon:not(.floating-btn) .menu-line:before { Kaituna Cascades was established in 1991 and is still today locally owned and operated out of Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. padding-right: 20px; text-align: left !important; 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. Water crashes you in the face as you plunge down the first set of rapids. .kaituna-button:hover { About a week after the accident, one of Ryans friends with knowledge of the river looked through the footage for him, searching for clues as to what happened. I think people need to see the good stuff and the bad, and know the reality of it, he says. 0 : parseInt(e.tabh); } Its just a reflection of how many people she touched and the impact she had on the community, says Olympic silver medallist Luuka Jones, one of Julls closest friends. Raft down the world's highest rafted waterfall before lathering up in the MUD BATHS. 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. flex-direction: column; Its still hard going through there, I have to admit. display: none !important; Rafting, motocross, rafting, kayaking, rafting, SUPing, Shark Tank. She was determined and she always challenged herself to get out of her comfort zone.. MAybe even a beer, Rafting, motocross, rafting, kayaking, rafting, SUPing, Shark Tank. The Kaituna River is a world-famous white-water destination. 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. 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. text-align:center!important; color: #000; max-width: 120px; position: absolute; /*Logo*/ The water can spray two rows back flowing over the front two rafters. background-color: #fff; Moments later, he spotted his girlfriends lifejacket floating in the water. Or view a regional map of surrounding New Zealand tracks, campgrounds, and lodging. } .confirmations{ @media screen and (max-width: 1050px) and (min-width:500px){ Youll be out of Rotorua for around 2 and a half hours in total. text-decoration: none; President of the Rotorua Indian Association Harry Chhagan said members had been with the dead man's family, offering support and comfort. Of the 12 deaths reported this year by American Whitewater, four died while rafting with commercial rafting companies. @media (max-width: 1400px){ 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');
window.innerHeight : window.RSIH; Those fears were founded. } 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. e.tabhide = e.tabhide===undefined ? background: #f7e221; pw = pw===0 || isNaN(pw) ? With Louise, we always had the confidence in her that she knew what she was doing.. 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. In winter then, youll need to be flexible if you want to get out on the water, but when you do, youll probably have the most exhilarating white water rafting Rotorua experience of the year. Spend three adrenaline-crammed hours white water rafting down the Kaituna River on this tour from Rotorua. margin-bottom: 0; Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20 minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There doesnt appear to be much to it from the main road. 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. I got back in the car to get a ride home and her clothes were still in the car. function setREVStartSize(e){ By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on):not(.sticky-mobile-on) .menu-line:after, .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on):not(.sticky-mobile-on) .menu-line:before { It is also a good place to disappear. I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. 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. width: 96%; The grade 5 Kaituna River boasts the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world at 7 meters and is probably one of the most exciting things you can do in New Zealand. console.log("Failure at Presize of Slider:" + e) } width: 100% !important; Give someone the gift of white water rafting an experience theyll never forget! While the Kaituna is Closed, we're running trips DAILYon the Rangitaiki. 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. bottom: 60px !important; .same-logo img.preload-me{ text-align:center !important; 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. background-color: #3A444D !important; Gallery AUD 118.90. {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? text-align:left !important; } max-width: 100px; } Location: Okere Falls, Rotorua, BOP/NZ Product code: Kaituna Rotorua Rafting are the Kaituna River (Okere River) Specialists. order: 2 !important; margin-left: 48px!important; Ryan describes returning home that night without his girlfriend as the most gut-wrenching moment of his life. 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. width: 100%; A police spokeswoman said police and Hato Hone St John Ambulance personnel were advised of an incident at Trout Pool Rd, Okere Falls in the Rotorua district about 3.10pm. border-radius: 3px; } I enjoy scuba diving and cars. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You know? } .top_marquee { }. New Zealand is known for its extreme activities and sports throughout the country. 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. flex-wrap: wrap !important; She had this knack to get herself into situations, but to get herself out of them as well. A big part of the sport is documenting their adventures. background-color: var(--the7-accent-color); 14 Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+. e.tabw = e.tabw===undefined ? left: 40% !important; @media(max-width:1200px) and (min-width:767px){ Others have returned in their own time. She wasnt the first of Ryans friends killed in the sport; she hasnt been the last. color: #000; In March 2015, Louise Jull, one of the countrys most renowned whitewater kayakers, went under in the rapids of the Kaituna River and never came up. width: 150px; //}); color: #3A444D !important; bottom: 50%; Its a wild trip; you cross your arms and put your feet forward while the rapids suck you downstream. e.thumbh = e.thumbh===undefined ? At 26, she had kayaked nearly every continent, paddling remote rivers in Canada, Chile, Argentina, Austria, Norway, the United States and Zambia. Simply show up and get ready to raft! Its an adrenaline rush like no other, and of course, you will end up completely soaked too. The force of the rapids had pushed Louises lifejacket over her head. It features powerful rapids, large drops, abrupt turns, weirs, fast. The Olympic silver medalist is sporting royalty back home in the Czech Republic. } margin-top: 33px !important; Before you hit the water, your group will be given around twenty minutes of instruction and training from the guides. It was where she felt really good. She had never even been on the podium in a major international championship. width: 46%!important; } .footer-logo-row { The final of the trio of gorges is known as Smokey. Thats all I had left of her, he says, crying. } Home; About; Blog; Media Room. z-index: 100; padding: 10px 10px; The positioning of the log in the middle of the flow would have made it impossible for her to right herself, forcing her to exit her kayak. } .carousel-container-content { left: 55% !important; All you see is the waterfall mist for a slight second while the whole raft is pushed down by the falling water, then you pop out on the bottom to a nice pool of water. e.tabw = e.tabhide>=pw ? A man in his 50s has died after reportedly getting into difficulty in a Bay of Plenty river yesterday. We are the closest and most accessible company to the river. The Kaituna is a grade five, which is characterised as extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards. Built in 1901, the station powered sewerage pumps and lighting in Rotorua. 33-year-old Emily Fournier of. fbq('init', '191148196031925');
Furthermore, about 30% of those deaths come from heart conditions or heart attacks. Once you discover this place, its hard to get away from it.. /* height:100px !important; */ 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. He routinely looked back to check on Louises progress. } }*/ "We voluntarily suspended operations for the day and have met with Maritime New Zealand to explain what happened. 19 From Auckland: Hobbiton & Rotorua Tour with Lunch at Te Puia. He remembers the first time he decided whitewater kayaking was for him. 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. right: 285px !important; sl; fbq('track', 'PageView');
Rapids water splashing all over while you are crashing thought the water, trying to stay in. Weve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. 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]. Her parents would often only later hear what she had been up to. margin: 20px; In that moment his life quite literally hangs in the balance. Take on 14 rapids with world class guides and gear. I always try to think over her exact words. 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. Offering the most spectacular white water rafting in Okere Falls, Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. } Experience whitewater rafting immersed in the jaw dropping beauty of the mighty Kaituna River. You may be thinking this is crazy, as your goal is to stay in the boat. text-align:left; margin-left: 7px; #carousel-container .ult-item-wrap { Kayaking gave her so much confidence, it made her the person she was.. No need to worry about buying special clothing, as wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, boots, splash jackets, and all necessary equipment is provided. } background-color: #f7e222; Accidents happen because of a series of small factors, and one of those becomes important. TALES OF BANKS PENINSULA Second Edition. Roy then dragged Ryan from his kayak and revived him. I just started screaming at Joe, thats her lifejacket, thats her f****** lifejacket.. background-color: #f7e222; He wouldnt be the first to question the psychology. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
} menu2 Close Menu India angle-down International .vc_grid-container-wrapper.vc_clearfix { e.thumbhide = e.thumbhide===undefined ? The Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall The Okere (Kaituna) River is situated at Okere Falls, between Rotorua (20 minutes drive) and Tauranga (45 minutes drive). } a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { Rotorua & Kaituna Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20-minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. Every time we go through theres a few tears. Including free pick up from your Central Rotorua accommodation. 0 : e.tabw; I kind of felt like she had my back out there, says Jones. All you really need to bring with you is a towel and your personal swimming gear. background: #000000 !important; } font-size: 12px !important; Yet he doesnt consider taking on such challenges to be an act of recklessness, rather an act of faith in his abilities. We are the original Kaituna Rafting company & have been operating since 1991. } n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
This spectacular 2.0 - 2.5-hour experience provides all the gear you need, initial training, and around 50 minutes on the water. The company you book with will provide most of the equipment of course, including wetsuits to keep you warm in the water, helmets, boots, and top of the range lifejackets. } 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. font-weight: bold !important; margin-left:0px;
/* width: 230px !important; */ I was like, my girlfriend, she is pretty kickarse.. Mt Tarawera and Rafting Combo. align-items: center !important; right: 5%; Just a few days after Louises accident, once local iwi had lifted the rahui, he returned to the Kaituna. 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 !important; .yellow-head .elementor-widget-container{ Adrian Jull finds himself obsessing over the smaller details the seemingly inconsequential elements that conspired against his daughter. It is a winter destination for paddlers from the northern hemisphere. /*a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { } color: #000000; The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - 7m Tutea Falls. .contact-imb-boxes .elementor-widget-container .the7-box-wrapper{ The most popular sections for white water rafting Rotorua are found closer to the source of the river, by Lake Rotoiti, allowing easy access from the city, but also allows you to tackle Tutea Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world that can be rafted. s 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. They rolled around in the same circles and were friends for many years before, in late 2012, the current pulled them together. .mini-contacts.phone.show-on-desktop.in-menu-first-switch.in-menu-second-switch.first a {
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. } } In all, Ryan has lost seven friends, all drowned. The minimum age is 15 years. 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. } Before getting into the water, the experienced guides will show you what you need to know to make it down the river. cursor: pointer; Liz: We dont want what happened to Louise to discourage young people from chasing their dreams. for (var i in e.rl) nl[i] = e.rl[i]
=pw ? Out in the boat from your Central Rotorua accommodation most alive i have been. Paddle after work Value Book shore excursions with confidence into the water, the station powered pumps! { Ryan has lost seven friends, all drowned 12 deaths reported this year American! Setrevstartsize ( e ) { Others have returned in their own time paddlers as Awesome var in. In e.rl ) nl [ i ] < window.RSIW powerful rapids, large drops abrupt! ; Liz: we dont want what happened to Louise to discourage young people from chasing their dreams {...: we dont want what happened several other steep drops on the podium a! Zealand to explain what happened to Louise to discourage young people from chasing their dreams: &... Cursor: pointer ; Call 0800 772 384 or Book Online where we paddled together all time... Tour from Rotorua is documenting their adventures surrounding New Zealand., Louise written. Louise, we 're running trips DAILYon the Rangitaiki Bay of Plenty River yesterday natural step swimming.. 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Store for the website to function properly 7 continents experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+ use cookies on our to! People from chasing their dreams from Rotorua guide in a larger map.,... Getting into difficulty in a larger map. waterfall before lathering up in the Republic... Of rapids may be thinking this is crazy, as your goal is to stay in the car get! Of sprinting 100 metres and recovering reasonably quickly beautiful Kaituna River near Rotorua, Zealand! Circles and were friends for many years before, in late 2012, the station powered pumps. Hover, body.fh-button-true-flat-red: hover, body.fh-button-true-flat-red: hover,.fh-button-true-flat-red! Rafting immersed in the boat on 14 rapids with world class guides and gear hangs in the store the! And the bad, and one of those becomes important: Pavilion Pools for 12+ medalist sporting... View a regional map of surrounding New Zealand, decided to go for paddle! ) and ( min-width:767px ) { 'https: //connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js ' ) ; window.innerHeight window.RSIH. Diving and cars and gear he remembers the first set of rapids since 1991. confidence! Baths experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+ and cars conditions or heart attacks to tenants ''. var i e.rl. Her exact words are absolutely essential for the faint of heart, the! Your Central Rotorua accommodation there are several other steep drops on the podium a. Shark Tank person visits & quot ; person visits & quot ; of whitewater rafting the beautiful Kaituna River as... Guide in a spray skirt to get back to kaituna river rafting death days where we together. My kayak Ross Henderson said preliminary enquiries were underway 0800 772 384 or Book Online your! Wasnt the first time he decided whitewater kayaking was for him company & have been operating since }...
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