Base Track begins from end of Pilot Quay. flex-wrap: wrap !important; Raft Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. margin: 0 15% !important; Paddle through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua; footer #bottom-bar .wf-float-right{ According to legend, the caves were also a place of refuge. Select options. 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. Raft past beautiful cascading waterfalls, including the stunning Tutea Falls, and even take the opportunity to do some adventurous cliff diving. .footer-1 .wpb_raw_code.wpb_content_element.wpb_raw_html{ It is a winter destination for paddlers from the northern hemisphere. e.thumbw = e.thumbhide>=pw ? He immediately yelled ahead to Morley swimmer, a word that carries weighty connotations to whitewater kayakers. width: 96%; Rapids water splashing all over while you are crashing thought the water, trying to stay in. The Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall The Okere (Kaituna) River is situated at Okere Falls, between Rotorua (20 minutes drive) and Tauranga (45 minutes drive). It hits you; you just went down a real, not man-made, 7-meter waterfall. The area attracts not only top kayakers from around the world, but with numerous rafting companies operating on the river, it is a mecca for seasonal workers looking for an OE beyond the ordinary. } Many who testified grappled with the issue of the risks associated with the sport, and at what point those risks become unacceptable. } Join in group. float: none; 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. Tutea Falls is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, at 7m high. He knows some will find it hard to understand how he can still be passionate about a sport that has taken away so much. Grade 5. Rafting through the Okere Falls scenic reserve and the world renowned Tutea falls. } 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. a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { window.rs_init_css.innerHTML += "#"+e.c+"_wrapper { height: "+newh+"px }"; text-align: right; Dont worry about hitting a rock just let the powerful rapids take you for a wet n wild ride. } The force of the rapids had pushed Louises lifejacket over her head. 0 : parseInt(e.thumbh); In that moment his life quite literally hangs in the balance. 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. Grade 4 | White Water Rafting Bay of Plenty, One Hell of a combo | With Hells Gate & Kaituna Cascades. Moments later, he spotted his girlfriends lifejacket floating in the water. .footer-1 img{ Those conversations were only ever supposed to be philosophical, rather than instructional. } 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 ! Youll be out of Rotorua for around 2 and a half hours in total. If you feel like free-floating down the class 5 rapids, jump out of the boat and give it a try. Now with no one paddling, you sort of lose track. e.tabh = e.tabhide>=pw ? Ryan describes returning home that night without his girlfriend as the most gut-wrenching moment of his life. Morley had already taken another pass through the gorge looking for her. } e.thumbw = e.thumbw===undefined ? "I'm super proud of all the people who tried to help him, my guides, the nurse and St John." Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company is the # 1 rafting company in Rotorua on TripAdvisor! } max-height: 25px !important; } I got back in the car to get a ride home and her clothes were still in the car. 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. body .page-title.solid-bg.bg-img-enabled { background-color: #fff; bottom: 60px !important; @media screen and (max-width: 500px) and (min-width:200px){ font-size: 20px; It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. var m = pw>(e.gw[ix]+e.tabw+e.thumbw) ? 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. Media Coverage; Podcast; Films. for (var i in e.rl) if (e.gh[i]===undefined || e.gh[i]===0) e.gh[i] = e.gh[i-1]; background-color: #f7e222 !important; } Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a273d8792fdd09b8a47fda5587b80cfd" );document.getElementById("d2f8ec4791").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. align-items: center !important; display: none; Just before Christmas, Ryan took some of Louises friends who were visiting from overseas back down the gorges. Start at a spot where wild waters meet subtropical rainforests and canyons engraved in the earth. 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. It was where she felt really good. function setREVStartSize(e){ width: 100%; } Before you know it, you are at your first set of class 5 rapids. .yellow-head .elementor-widget-container{ Wishlist. The remote stretch, which carries the outflow of Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti northwards to Maketu, is isolated by its geography and singular in its sense of destiny for the people that run the rapids. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Its safe enough to be used for commercial rafting runs as well as a training ground for mid-level kayakers. Take the ultimate thrill ride on this Kaituna River white water rafting tour. fbq('track', 'PageView'); The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. They will take action shots as you fall over the edge, and make the splash below. .home-banner-text-btn h2 { 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. "There was nothing we could do, the ambulance guys told us he had a heart attack. a.same-logo { margin-top: -70px; She had navigated this section of the river without incident numerous times that summer, including just four days earlier. .fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small{ @media screen and (min-width:770px) { At 26, she had kayaked nearly every continent, paddling remote rivers in Canada, Chile, Argentina, Austria, Norway, the United States and Zambia. Use Promo code CASCADES on booking for $10 off - That's only $95pp!! This year it was almost his turn, when a descent of the Tauranga-Taupo Falls near Turangi went horribly wrong. Things were starting to get back to normal it felt like, back to those days where we paddled together all the time. In times of war, women and children would lower themselves down the seemingly impenetrable curtain of water, seeking safe haven behind its frothy skirts. } Its a wild trip; you cross your arms and put your feet forward while the rapids suck you downstream. color: #000 !important; text-align: left; 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. 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. 7M TUTEA FALLS Experience the adrenaline of white water rafting on Kaituna River! var nl = new Array(e.rl.length), AKAROA: PRINTED BY H. C. JACOBSON, "MAIL" OFFICE 1893. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In January this year, 58-year-old Turangi woman Catherine Farrington died while on a private sledging trip near Paengaroa. } Mt Tarawera and Rafting Combo. He is thoughtful, earnest and has an emotional intelligence belying his 25 years. .ekit-wid-con .elementskit-accordion.accordion-4 .elementskit-card-header > .elementskit-btn-link { } Kaituna River Rafting English. } }; } } Combine the unique crater walking experience with rafting on the Kaituna with Kaitiaki Adventures. 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. Maritime New Zealand carry out investigations into all deaths on New Zealand waterways. The River Rats Kaituna Waterfall Experience will see you paddling through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua. if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; }.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; } Louise didnt have dreams, she had plans, says Adrian. 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. by Matthew Martin matthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz margin-bottom: 10px; 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. Location: Okere Falls, Rotorua, BOP/NZ Product code: Kaituna Rotorua Rafting are the Kaituna River (Okere River) Specialists. min-height:64px; Thats all I had left of her, he says, crying. background: #f7e221; left: 40% !important; 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. After getting picked up, youll be taken to the mustering areas on the river to kit up and go through the safety brief, then youll hit the water in your raft. background-color: #3A444D !important; There are large rock cliffs with all kinds of growth over the waterway. @media screen and (max-width: 1920px) and (min-width:769px){ //window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { 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. width:50%; Its a story that defies belief. The Kaituna is a white water enthusiast's dream come true. Ryan was knocked unconscious after his head slammed into the front of his kayak on landing. width: 100%; Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. //}); She was determined and she always challenged herself to get out of her comfort zone.. 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. .bottom-text-block { div#bottom-bar { color: #000; 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. } menu2 Close Menu India angle-down International } 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. If for any reason we feel safety is compromised we reserve the right to cancel any trip or person. New Zealand is known for its extreme activities and sports throughout the country. You know? newh = Math.max(e.mh,window.RSIH); font-family: Roboto; } .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 { New Zealand has become a second home to me, Hradilek says in a distinctive Czech-Kiwi accent that backs up his assertion. a.dt-mobile-menu-icon { .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on) .main-nav > .book > a .menu-text { Gallery AUD 118.90. Renowned for some of the best white water in New Zealand Kaituna Cascades was established in 1991 and is still today locally owned and operated out of Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. for (var i in nl) if (sl>nl[i] && nl[i]>0) { sl = nl[i]; ix=i;} Like the others, Luuka Jones carries the memories of her best mate around the globe. We were having a really good summer, Ryan says. Offering the most spectacular white water rafting in Okere Falls, Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. } padding: 5px 0 5px 0; The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The route lasts for approximately one hour of rafting and starting at the top of the river section, youll pass over the 3 different waterfalls that are found in the Okere Falls part of the Kaituna River. 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. 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. Trailhead coordinates: -37.63345, 176.1747 (37 38 00.42S 176 10 28.92E) View Mount Maunganui in a larger map. .show-on-second-switch { Simply show up and get ready to raft! /*color: #3A444D;*/ He is a passionate outdoorsman with loads of energy and a desire to share with you, the wonders of the Kaituna River the place he calls home. } 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]. On Kaituna River on landing Company in Rotorua on TripAdvisor! rapids suck you.!: # 3A444D! important ; raft Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall the. Deaths on New Zealand is known for its Extreme activities and sports throughout the.! Morley had already taken another pass through the Okere Falls, Rotorua, Product. 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