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Published: July 22nd 2012
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My rafting trip began with a
pick-up at 12.30. The shuttle of Kaituna Cascades (the rafting company) was punctual and the driver was really friendly. The car was a small ATV (All terrain vehicles) for about 8 people. But they were also able to pick up more people with a small bus. First of all we drove to the base of Kaituna Cascades, which was not that far away. During the 30 minute drive I spoke with the guides, which we picked up as well. All the guides were doing the rafting for 9 years or more, and also all over the world (they were working in Japan and Costa Rica for example as rafting guides).
Arriving
at the base, everybody had to sign a paper, that one hasn’t got any injuries or health problems. The base itself was small and simple, but charming and not far away from the Kaituna River (5 minute walking distance).Then we got a short introduction to the clothes we would wear during the rafting. All the necessary
equipment was provided by the stuff and everybody got a scuba suite, a pullover, a rain jacket, a life jacket, shoes and a helmet. The only things
you needed were your swimsuits. The scuba suite, the shoes and the helmet were available in different sizes and the stuff also helped every time with the sizes, if you didn’t know yours. The building provided two separate changing rooms for women and men with space to store your clothes and luggage. The changing rooms were locked after everybody got changed, so that nothing would be stolen.
After changing and storing the luggage, the guides checked everybody’s live jacket and helmet for a last safety check and we got a
safety instruction with a dry run on the boat. Our guide told us generally how to sit on the boat and how to hold the paddle. Furthermore he also depicted every possible situation, which could happen on the river and after driving down the waterfall and explained how to behave and what everybody would be supposed to do. With the complete equipment and strengthened courage we walked some minutes
to the Kaituna River, where the Rafting took place.
On the river the guide gave us instructions for some commandos, which were clearly and easy explained. Every commando was combined with a catchphrase and stood for a certain action,
which we had to do (e.g. paddle forward, paddle backward, hold on, etc.). Our two rafting boats were also accompanied of a guide in a kayak for safety reasons. The guides were really funny and entertaining, but also professional all the time. It was really great fun to do the rafting with them.
The rafting itself was also amazing. Starting with some small waterfalls, we got finally to the big
7 meter waterfall. Before going down our guide discussed again every possible situation thoroughly with us. Besides falling out, the boat could also flip, what finally happened to ours. The complete boat was under water for some seconds and flipped while surfacing. Some people were holding onto the outside of the boat, but I stayed calmly under the boat, breathing from the air cell. Thanks of the security instructions; everybody knew how to behave and what to do. Nobody got injured and everybody was ok. After only some seconds we got to a shallower place where we turned the boat around. Everybody jumped back in and the journey could go on. The 7 meter waterfall was first terrifying, but after all great fun. At a smoother part of our
guide asked if he could see my shoes. He said “I think you have the wrong shoes on” and pushed me into the water as soon as I got my feet out of the boat. Otherwise we could also jump voluntarily off the boat river to swim some meters. But of course the guides helped us to get into the boat again. The Kaituna River and its environment and nature around were as well beautiful. The water was so clear, that one could nearly look to the ground of the river.
During the rafting tour the owner took
professional photos of us, which were available back at the base. When we finished our trip, we got the boat out of the water and carried it to the bus with the trailer. The bus drove us back to the base, what was comfortable and warm due to heating of the bus. So nobody had to be cold. Back at the base we gave the equipment back, changed our clothes and watched a slideshow of the taken photos. The photos were of a really good and high quality. I would recommend everybody to buy the CD of the photos as a
great memory. Afterwards we got dropped off at our accommodation again.
All in all it was a really great adventure and good fun. You can find Kaituna Cascades under the following website:
http://www.kaitunacascades.co.nz/index.php
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