I did always remind myself how lucky I was. The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world 7m Tutea Falls. 18 Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk. #carousel-container { }.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; } It features powerful rapids, large drops, abrupt turns, weirs, fast. color: #000 !important; } for (var i in e.rl) if (e.gh[i]===undefined || e.gh[i]===0) e.gh[i] = e.gh[i-1]; console.log("Failure at Presize of Slider:" + e) The upbeat refrains seemed incongruous but were also fitting: It was the type of music that accompanied Louises many online videos of her epic adventures. Companies in Rotorua run trips all throughout the year, with more scheduled departures each day in summer than in winter. 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. 0 : e.thumbh; She was a pretty gutsy wee thing for sure, says Ryan. Its a great place to train, a great place to hang out. } If you arent brave enough to take on white water rafting Rotorua, then Tutea Falls and Okere Falls are just a 20-minute drive from the city, and you can watch the rafters on the river as they tumble over the edge instead of tumbling over with them. Jump aboard and enjoy the fun with the team at Rotorua Rafting. but nothing compares to the end waterfall. span.menu-text { Established in 2011,by locally born and bred 4 x World Champion Extreme Kayaker Sam Sutton. Established in 2011, by locally born and bred 4 x World Champion Extreme Kayaker Sam Sutton. 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. width: 200px; This is where the lower gorges begin and the rapids have much more consequence. font-size: 12px !important; .mobile-header-bar{ All promotions. I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. Six people drowned after falling out of a raft. .footer-logo-row { At 26, she had kayaked nearly every continent, paddling remote rivers in Canada, Chile, Argentina, Austria, Norway, the United States and Zambia. Ryan would try to climb to higher ground and walk back to the spot he had last seen her. Location of the Kaituna River and How to Travel There. } margin-top: 33px !important; Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. right: 5% !important; .team-members-all .pp-tm-content.pp-tm-content-normal { 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! .mobile-navigation{ color: #000 !important; } .show-on-second-switch { He was Madhu Shah, a tourist who is understood to be from Mumbai (Bombay) in India. The crew are called River Rats because they spend every hour of every day on the river, you are in safe hands. 0 : parseInt(e.tabw); @media screen and (max-width: 1024px) and (min-width:200px){ .confirmations{ In a matter of seconds, you will be at the bottom wiping the water from your face. font-size: 22px !important; width:70px !important; There are around 14 big rapids in total not counting smaller bumps along the way! It is also a good place to disappear. It would have been the last thing that Louise wanted, says Adrian. Every time we go through theres a few tears. Meet at location. You may be thinking this is crazy, as your goal is to stay in the boat. font-size: 13px !important; text-align:center!important; .ekit-wid-con .elementskit-accordion.accordion-4 .elementskit-card-header > .elementskit-btn-link { color: #000; 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. text-align:left; color: #fff; z-index: 100; She was known to get up at 5am and do a couple of laps before work then squeeze in another paddle in the evening. e.gw : [e.gw]; He was thrown from a raft on the Kaituna River, at Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, on Tuesday, the Daily Post at Rotorua reported. The Kaituna River is a world-famous white-water destination. body .fh-button-true-flat-red { Offering the most spectacular white water rafting in Okere Falls, Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. z-index: 999; .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on) .main-nav > .book > a .menu-text { .contact-imb-boxes .elementor-widget-container .the7-box-wrapper{ Grab your wet suit, helmet, paddle and hope you do not fall out over the 7-meter waterfall drop. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. background: #000000 !important; border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; What draws me to this place is not just the river, but the community. } .sticky-mobile-on .mobile-navigation { } We cant wait to see all of you legends out Rafting the Kaituna with us . They couldnt walk more than 10m without being swamped by competitors, many of whom have stayed at their Otaki home over the years. 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. The Best Whitewater Rafting in Rotorua, and Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor. padding-left: 85px; This spectacular 2.0 - 2.5-hour experience provides all the gear you need, initial training, and around 50 minutes on the water. border-radius: 3px; Going into the Olympics, Jones had a world ranking of 28. /*color: #3A444D;*/ 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. LEARN MORE Rotorua, New Zealand MOST POPULAR Kaituna & Wairoa Combo Grade 5 White Water Rafting $ 240 Can't make your mind up - do them both ! width: 96%; 1 HOUR OF EPICNESS ON THE MIGHTY KAITUNA RIVER WILL LEAVE YOU STOKED, WORLDS HIGHEST COMMERCIALLY RAFTED WATERFALL, 1 HOUR OF STANDUP PADDLE BOARDING / FAMILY FLOAT. If you popped into the local supermarket in Ostrava, youd see Hradileks face adorning Red Bull cans and cookie packets. She was right behind me and then I never saw her again.. .mobile-header-bar .mobile-branding img, .branding a img, .branding img { Please Note: You must arrive at the Kaituna Cascades Rafting base 15 minutes before your booking time. margin-left:0px; It seems most of his childhood was spent hurling himself off things at speed, but for Ryan, the adrenalin rush he got from whitewater kayaking compared to nothing else. In that moment his life quite literally hangs in the balance. A big part of the sport is documenting their adventures. If you have your own action camera, such as a Go Pro, then as long as you have suitable accessories to ensure you dont lose it, then you can bring this along too. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". } 14 Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+. top: 2.3% !important; padding:0px 10px !important; } width: 98%; The biggest danger in this run is the risk of logs and wood, she wrote. } He was trapped under water for more than three minutes before his expedition partner, Canadian paddler Mike Roy, was able to free him. This is rare, but if it does happen, then just follow the training you are given at the start and dont worry too much because the worst of the rapids are over and there will be plenty of time to climb back inside the raft. padding: 16px 20px; Co-owner of Kaitiaki Adventures Jason Wright said his sympathy went out to the Shah family. 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. Those conversations were only ever supposed to be philosophical, rather than instructional. margin-top: -70px; } .vc_col-sm-6 { Book now for a once in a lifetime experience !! .dt-mobile-menu-icon:not(.floating-btn) .menu-line:before { Learn more All Rotorua Tours We are the original Kaituna Rafting company & have been operating since 1991. There doesnt appear to be much to it from the main road. There was no trace of her. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. a.dt-mobile-menu-icon { a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { Take on 14 rapids with world class guides and gear. Spend three adrenaline-crammed hours white water rafting down the Kaituna River on this tour from Rotorua. 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. border-radius: 3px; .carousel-container-content { [GoPro] 18,193 views Dec 29, 2016 Whitewater rafting the beautiful Kaituna River near Rotorua, New Zealand. Give someone the gift of white water rafting an experience theyll never forget! max-height: 25px !important; sl; 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! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. } Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. right: 85px !important; z-index: 0 !important; AA Modifier Anesthesia Services Performed Personally by. cursor: pointer; New Zealand has become a second home to me, Hradilek says in a distinctive Czech-Kiwi accent that backs up his assertion. 0 : parseInt(e.tabh); color: #000; Kaituna River - Grade 5 white water rafting From NZD $115.00 Duration: 2 Hours (approx.) color: #000000; 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. .top_marquee { } #carousel-container .carousel-container-content h2 { margin-left:0px; /*a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { e.thumbhide = e.thumbhide===undefined ? e.gh = Array.isArray(e.gh) ? .mini-contacts.phone.show-on-desktop.in-menu-first-switch.in-menu-second-switch.first a { @media screen and (min-width:770px) { Morley had already taken another pass through the gorge looking for her. top: 0; text-align: right; 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. color:#fff !important; "They are obviously very sad and shocked by his tragic death. color: #000 !important; All you really need to bring with you is a towel and your personal swimming gear. Rafting through the Okere Falls scenic reserve and the world renowned Tutea falls. The minimum age is 15 years. } padding: 12px; .admin-bar .dt-close-mobile-menu-icon { } right: 0px !important; .mobile-header-bar .mobile-branding img { It looks like a theme park ride, but the real fun lies further around the corner, beyond a series of slalom gates, where the river turns from a sedate stream to raging whitewater rapids. The final of the trio of gorges is known as Smokey. transform: rotate(180deg); The Kaituna is a grade five, which is characterised as "extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards". for (var i in e.rl) if (e.gw[i]===undefined || e.gw[i]===0) e.gw[i] = e.gw[i-1]; Thomas Lynch, who owns an eco-tourism business in the area, felt the culture in the extreme sports fraternity glamorises risk-taking. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. width: 100%; } 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. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION When I began to compile the following collection of Peni } 0 : parseInt(e.thumbw); margin-top: 30px !important; Conditions- You must be 13+ years to join this experience - your safety is our No.1 priority at Kaituna Cascades. Raft past beautiful cascading waterfalls, including the stunning Tutea Falls, and even take the opportunity to do some adventurous cliff diving. Since the very beginning Ryans goals have been about the adventure and challenging himself to push his limits. It was built for Ryan and his younger brothers Mitch and Cole both keen mountain bikers to ride beat-up BMX bikes down the steep ramp and plunge into the lake. The truth is, his girlfriends death that horrible, nightmarish event I will never get over taught him plenty about life. Mt Tarawera and Rafting Combo. She had this knack to get herself into situations, but to get herself out of them as well. font-weight: bold !important; Youll also be in small rafting groups, with other boats around to help if anything does happen, which is unlikely. She wasnt the first of Ryans friends killed in the sport; she hasnt been the last. //}); } margin-left: 30%; There is one particularly striking picture taken just after he has gone over the edge of the 30m high Ram Falls in the Canadian Rockies. Louise didnt have dreams, she had plans, says Adrian. 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. And I said well thats going to be a fat lot of use and she said yeah Im not sure what Im really standing here for, he chuckles. z-index: 999 !important; } .footer .widget .kaituna-button, Including free pick up from your Central Rotorua accommodation. footer #bottom-bar .wf-float-right{ Ryans showreel from his adventures is paradoxically awe-inspiring and unsettling. }; float: none; As a guide to the level of fitness required, participants should be capable of sprinting 100 metres and recovering reasonably quickly. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". There are several other steep drops on the run, and seven fun Class III rapids in between. The Kaituna is a grade five, which is characterised as extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards. Rotorua police and Maritime New Zealand officials are investigating after the 66-year-old man, believed to have suffered a heart attack after being thrown from a raft on the river, near Rotorua, died at Rotorua Hospital in the early hours of yesterday. e.gw = Array.isArray(e.gw) ? I thought this is what I want to do.. If you do fall out theres a guide in a kayak to save you along with your fellow rafters. They will take action shots as you fall over the edge, and make the splash below. } top: 75px !important; Yet he doesnt consider taking on such challenges to be an act of recklessness, rather an act of faith in his abilities. This can be particularly an issue for the Gnarly section as it is very tight and continuous and there is not any easy option for scouting.. Its a story that defies belief. background: #f7e221; } 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. newh = (e.gh[ix] * m) + (e.tabh + e.thumbh); Its been [two years] but its still a struggle to think about, it just gives me nightmares.. Experience whitewater rafting immersed in the jaw dropping beauty of the mighty Kaituna River. background-color: #F7E222; } 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. He remembers the first time he decided whitewater kayaking was for him. } position: absolute; 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. }} 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. flex-wrap: wrap !important; Some of them dont use it as much as others, but theres always some link back to that river. div#bottom-bar { This is a long, deep gorge in a changing landscape that sees the tight, winding canyon widen out to boulder gardens. e.gh = e.el===undefined || e.el==="" || (Array.isArray(e.el) && e.el.length==0)? margin: 0 15% !important; 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. text-align: left; .kaituna-button { } pw = pw===0 || isNaN(pw) ? She had navigated this section of the river without incident numerous times that summer, including just four days earlier. max-height: 30px !important; There was nothing to suggest that Wednesday evening was going to be any different, until Ryan saw a paddle whisk past him in the rapids. width: 100%; .default-btn-shortcode { Tutea Falls is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, at 7m high. 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. The beginning of the trip starts off mild so its easy to get into the flow of rafting the river. max-width: 100px; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; A man has died after a rafting adventure down the Kaituna River turned to tragedy. After all, if youre going to throw yourself off a 20m waterfall in a plastic tub, then youre going want to have some skite footage. The Kaituna River is Ryans playground and his ground zero. You dont need to be super fit, but you do need to able to cope with the adrenaline, the high speeds, and the crashing water, while you are paddling. } That conviction was challenged in the most shocking way when Louise died, and it continues to be challenged. This has fostered a need to take bigger risks, make bolder decisions, and ride narrower margins of safety. The water is clear, crisp and really refreshing on a summer day. .sticky-on .main-nav > .book > a .menu-text {