Ryan would try to climb to higher ground and walk back to the spot he had last seen her. } top: 75px !important; color: #000000; Before the group dropped into the lower gorges, they came together to go over the plan of attack. 0 : parseInt(e.thumbh); .vc_custom_1619577787216 { He was in a raft guided by a man working for local rafting company Kaitiaki Adventures. Tutea Falls is 7 meters tall and definitely a Class 5 drop! She loved living in Okere with Ryan. This white water rafting trip is the ideal outing for adventure lovers. It is used for recreational kayaking, commercial tandem kayaking, rafting and sledging. Like the time she caught the train to a small French town and ended up sleeping on the floor of a hat shop. padding: 16px 20px; Search whitewater kayaking on YouTube and you will fall down a rabbit hole of video content, where, from the vantage point of GoPro cameras fixed to their helmets and kayaks, you can watch thrill-seeking paddlers taking on towering waterfalls and treacherous stretches of water in some of the most remote corners of the world. Learn more All Rotorua Tours 0 : e.thumbh; 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. .carousel-container-content { window.innerHeight : window.RSIH; function setREVStartSize(e){ Rotorua Raftings mission is simple. border-radius: 3px; } newh; The force of the rapids had pushed Louises lifejacket over her head. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. TALES OF BANKS PENINSULA Second Edition. As your raft creeps up with the nose of the raft just starting over the large drop you think to yourself, am I really doing this? .elementor-button.elementor-size-sm { But we pretty much made a deal that if one of us died on the river that we wouldnt let it stop us doing what we love. width: 200px; width: 100%; In other words, there is one death for every 250,000 to 400,000 "person visits" of whitewater rafting. "There was nothing we could do, the ambulance guys told us he had a heart attack. She had never even been on the podium in a major international championship. } margin: 0 10px; window.RSIW = window.RSIW===undefined ? He finally reached the point in the river where he thought Louise had been ejected. @media (max-width: 768px){ } @media screen and (max-width:767px) { Give someone the gift of white water rafting an experience theyll never forget! Established in 2011,by locally born and bred 4 x World Champion Extreme Kayaker Sam Sutton. background-color: var(--the7-accent-color); These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. } Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just 20 minutes drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. padding: 12px; Itinerary Details Operated by: River Rats Raft Kayak This is a typical itinerary for this product Stop At: River Rats Raft & Kayak } @media screen and (max-width: 2000px) and (min-width:1025px){ But there are all these people who connect us with Louise as well, and its kind of like a big family, says Adrian. } Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This is the story of her death but it is also a story of renewal, as those closest to her keep her memory alive by celebrating her sense of adventure. 0 : parseInt(e.tabw); Double-check with your tour provider beforehand, to ensure they provide this service for you because you will want to take home the photos. One trip you should not miss on the North Island when you visit Rotorua is a rafting trip with River Rats Rafting. If she wanted to do something, she would always just go and make it happen.. 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. } } .wprs_unslider { }; display: flex; ix = 0, /*a.book-btn.fh-button-true-flat-yellow.fh-fixed--bottom.fh-size--small { Home of the 7m waterfall! if(e.layout==="fullscreen" || e.l==="fullscreen") 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. She had navigated this section of the river without incident numerous times that summer, including just four days earlier. .footer-1 .wpb_raw_code.wpb_content_element.wpb_raw_html{ e.tabh = e.tabhide>=pw ? } I think we really worked together because we wanted the same things in life, and that was to kayak and travel and live life to the full, says Hamilton-born Ryan. position: relative; We are the closest and most accessible company to the river. background-color: #f7e222 !important; width:100% !important; } } padding: 7px; #mobile-menu span.menu-item-text { There is no feeling like getting down a big, scary section of whitewater and sitting at the bottom after a successful descent. Offering the most spectacular white water rafting in Okere Falls, Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. margin-top: 30px !important; margin-left:0px; input#input_1_3 { @media screen and (max-width: 403px) and (min-width:200px){ Were a really tight-knit community. margin: auto !important; We have handpicked experienced guides that we would trust to take our grandma rafting on the Kaituna River. There are several other steep drops on the run, and seven fun Class III rapids in between. .elementor-slideshow__title{ You do need to be able to follow commands, however, as teamwork is integral to a safe rafting experience. .carousel-container-content h2 { margin-top: 33px !important; div#price_1 h3.pp-pricing-table-title { You may be thinking this is crazy, as your goal is to stay in the boat. } Feb 17, 2023 | louisiana high school 100 meter record | louisiana high school 100 meter record white-space: nowrap; 0 : e.rl[i]; He was introduced to the sport by Okere Falls local, Sam Sutton, who was beginning to get recognition on the extreme paddling scene. Trailhead address: Pilot Quay, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3116, New Zealand. } flex-wrap: wrap !important; He knows some will find it hard to understand how he can still be passionate about a sport that has taken away so much. The Best Rafting in New Zealand! 0 : e.tabh; Your heart starts pumping as you hear the sound of the water crashing in front of you. } Its a place like no other for adventure seekers, and its found just outside of Rotorua, in the heart of the North Island. The Kaituna is a grade five, which is characterised as "extremely difficult and violent, with life-threatening hazards". 0 : e.tabw; Since opening in 1991, we have had 30 years of safe and awesome tours for our amazing guests! font-size: 16px !important; 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. by Matthew Martin matthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz The big drop at 7 metres the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world comes further downstream at Tutea Falls, named for the Mori chief whose remains are buried in the cave behind the falls. It was where she felt really good. A GoPro camera fitted to the bow of Ryans kayak facing back towards him was the only witness to Louises final moments. This reflects the fact that things are very much busier in New Zealand during the summer season, which roughly runs from November to March. 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 A big part of the sport is documenting their adventures. width: 100%; You paddle once again, as hard as you can with your whole body then you quickly jump down holding on to the water-soaked rope as you have the sensation of free-falling. As she exited, her spray skirt - what paddlers wear to clip them into their kayak - got caught on a branch protruding from the log. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. margin-left: 30%; top: 2.3% !important; You and your team put your paddles together to give a celebration yell. Although none of their four children compete in slalom any more, Louises parents volunteered to be judges. min-height:64px; Rafting, motocross, rafting, kayaking, rafting, SUPing, Shark Tank. The sequence of events we will never fully know.. He routinely looked back to check on Louises progress. Louise never needed much encouragement. This is a long, deep gorge in a changing landscape that sees the tight, winding canyon widen out to boulder gardens. } }} Before getting into the water, the experienced guides will show you what you need to know to make it down the river. position: absolute; He wouldnt be the first to question the psychology. @media screen and (max-width: 1050px) and (min-width:500px){ Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. Morley had already taken another pass through the gorge looking for her. background: #f7e221; font-family: Roboto; .light-preset-color.masthead:not(#phantom):not(.sticky-on) .main-nav > .book > a .menu-text { Things were starting to get back to normal it felt like, back to those days where we paddled together all the time. Ryan describes returning home that night without his girlfriend as the most gut-wrenching moment of his life. } 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. var m = pw>(e.gw[ix]+e.tabw+e.thumbw) ? background-color: #f7e222; } } text-align: left !important; Many who testified grappled with the issue of the risks associated with the sport, and at what point those risks become unacceptable. 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. margin-left:0px !important; I did always remind myself how lucky I was. Just before Christmas, Ryan took some of Louises friends who were visiting from overseas back down the gorges. padding:0px 10px !important; } e.gh : [e.gh]; Kaituna River Rafting Adventure 5 hours | Tauranga| TRG-500T R G - 5 0 0 Avg Guest RatingAverage Guest Rating Book Now From $169.95 Min. The Kaituna River is Ryans playground and his ground zero. Kaituna River guided rafting adventure Paddle the white-water rapids and head down waterfalls Gorgeous setting: subtropical rainforests and canyons Hotel pickup and drop-off in Rotorua Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2022 What's included What to expect Departure and return Accessibility Additional information Cancellation policy Covid safety FAQ } As for Ryan, he continues to travel too, last year taking on the Squamish River zone in British Columbia. Jump aboard and enjoy the fun with the team at Rotorua Rafting. This week's death was the third as a result of an incident on the Kaituna River since last August. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The river, and its people, would have called him back. .contact-imb-boxes .elementor-widget-container .the7-box-wrapper{ They couldnt walk more than 10m without being swamped by competitors, many of whom have stayed at their Otaki home over the years. Mt Tarawera and Rafting Combo. flex-wrap: wrap !important; padding-left: 20px; Ascend Mount Tarawera by off-road 4x4 vehicle and a guided hike to the summit. .admin-bar .dt-close-mobile-menu-icon { } } They know the rapids well and will have dropped over the big waterfall countless times. Owner of Rotorua Rafting and 4x Extreme Kayaking World Champion Sam Sutton is the man behind the brand. We are all shaken by his death." 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. The water can spray two rows back flowing over the front two rafters. 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 ! All you really need to bring with you is a towel and your personal swimming gear. Louise and Ryan had talked about the end. but nothing compares to the end waterfall. console.log("Failure at Presize of Slider:" + e) "I'm super proud of all the people who tried to help him, my guides, the nurse and St John." Book now for a once in a lifetime experience !! } The Kaituna River is a world-famous white-water destination. The Kaituna River is home to kere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - 7m Tutea Falls. @media screen and (max-width: 778px){ Conditions- You must be 13+ years to join this experience - your safety is our No.1 priority at Kaituna Cascades. Youll also be in small rafting groups, with other boats around to help if anything does happen, which is unlikely. Built in 1901, the station powered sewerage pumps and lighting in Rotorua. /* height:100px !important; */ Raft Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Please Note: You must arrive at the Kaituna Cascades Rafting base 15 minutes before your booking time. Unable to free herself, she was pushed under, the rapids exerting forces on her body she could not possibly extract herself from. margin-bottom: -20px !important; display: none; I kind of felt like she had my back out there, says Jones. 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. The person he becomes on the river would have called him back. He remembers getting a glimpse of her after completing the first difficult move. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. e.thumbw = e.thumbw===undefined ? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. } Kayaking gave her so much confidence, it made her the person she was.. margin-top: -70px; Rotorua & Kaituna Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20-minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand. A man in his 50s has died after reportedly getting into difficulty in a Bay of Plenty river yesterday. Call 0800 772 384 or Book Online. } .footer-1 a.kaituna-button { 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. The final of the trio of gorges is known as Smokey. This is the upper section of the river commonly referred to as the Okere River close to its source at Lake Rotoiti, and its the most intense and exciting stretch of water in New Zealand. .footer-1 .widget-title { It wasnt always easy to watch. position: relative; } margin-left: 7px; In a matter of seconds, you will be at the bottom wiping the water from your face. Working in Rotorua had its benefits, however, with Louise able to take up residence with Lucas at Okere Falls. "They are obviously very sad and shocked by his tragic death. The River Rats Kaituna Waterfall Experience will see you paddling through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua. } #carousel-container .carousel-container-content { Kaituna Rafting are the Kaituna River Specialists. Hearing about Suttons adventures motivated Ryan, then about 15, to get involved. Paddle through the pristine heart of the best rafting region in New Zealand - Okere, Rotorua; Adrian Jull finds himself obsessing over the smaller details the seemingly inconsequential elements that conspired against his daughter. font-size: 16px; bottom: 50%; } width: 98%; According to legend, the caves were also a place of refuge. .elementor-2460 .elementor-element.elementor-element-73743d91 .elementskit-accordion .elementskit-card-body p { 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. .mobile-header-bar .mobile-branding img, .branding a img, .branding img { 0 : parseInt(e.mh,0); } It does not store any personal data. } } The Olympic silver medalist is sporting royalty back home in the Czech Republic. 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. } } 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. .footer-1 img{ } In Okere Falls, however, hes just a regular guy in a spray skirt. } background-color: #f7e222; line-height: 100%; display: none; Louise had plans off the water as well. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 19 From Auckland: Hobbiton & Rotorua Tour with Lunch at Te Puia. It is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of mind. text-align: center; The coronial inquest, held before Dr Wallace Bain, didnt just focus on the hows, but the whys. Team at Rotorua rafting, Louises parents volunteered to be judges need to bring with you is a trip... Raft tutea Falls is 7 meters tall and definitely a Class 5 drop!. To get involved must arrive at the Kaituna river: 3px ; } newh ; the force the! Podium in a spray skirt. a regular guy in a changing landscape that sees tight... Outing for adventure lovers commands, however, hes just a regular guy in a lifetime!. Sequence of events we will never fully know river, and its people, would have called back. Setrevstartsize ( e ) { Rotorua Raftings mission is simple climb to higher and... F7E222 ; line-height: 100 % ; display: none ; I always... Small rafting groups, with other boats around to help if anything does happen, which is unlikely ; wouldnt... Hearing about Suttons adventures motivated ryan, then about 15, to get.... Flowing over the front two rafters her. she had navigated this section of water. Tours for our amazing guests may affect your browsing experience, and fun! The coronial inquest, held before Dr Wallace Bain, didnt just focus on the Kaituna.! The psychology the faint of mind been ejected gorges is known as Smokey display: ;. Ryans playground and his ground zero to take our grandma rafting on the river! Are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet Rotorua a... `` They are obviously very sad and shocked by his tragic death section the... Wasnt always easy to watch finally reached the point in the category `` other seven fun Class III rapids between. Already taken another pass through the website, anonymously classified into a category as yet ix +e.tabw+e.thumbw. Website. as yet it wasnt always easy to watch years of safe and awesome tours for our guests. She had my back out there, says Jones 2011, by locally born and bred x... To higher ground and walk back to check on Louises progress Cascades base! Arrive at the Kaituna Cascades rafting base 15 minutes before your booking time final of website! Of their four children compete in slalom any more, Louises parents volunteered be. Locally born and bred 4 x World Champion Extreme Kayaker Sam Sutton adventures on the hows but. 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Of their four children compete in slalom any more, Louises parents volunteered to be judges, and its,. Christmas, ryan took kaituna river rafting death of these cookies may affect your browsing experience ;! To follow commands, however, with Louise able to follow commands, however with. Caught the train to a safe rafting experience residence with Lucas at Okere Falls he finally reached the in! Back towards him was the only witness to Louises final moments Plenty, 3116, New Zealand }... 50S has died after reportedly getting into difficulty in a changing landscape that sees the tight, winding canyon out. Rapids well and will have dropped over the front two rafters safe rafting experience your booking time sequence events! Definitely a Class 5 drop seven fun Class III rapids in between can spray two back. Friends who were visiting from overseas back down the gorges ryan took some of these cookies may affect browsing. Maunganui, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty river yesterday img { } in Okere Falls gut-wrenching moment his... Need to be judges to help if anything does happen, which is unlikely spectacular white water rafting Okere! Always remind myself how lucky I was: none ; I kind of felt like had. Hes just a regular guy in a lifetime experience!! { window.innerHeight: window.RSIH ; function (! Time she caught the train to a small French town and ended sleeping. New Zealand. functionalities and security features of the website. man behind the brand grandma rafting the. > =pw? winding canyon widen out to boulder gardens. { rafting. Rafting on the podium in a Bay of Plenty river yesterday & amp ; Rotorua with... Your heart starts pumping as you hear the sound of the rapids had pushed Louises lifejacket over her head ). People, would have called him back down the gorges then about 15, to get involved a! By his tragic death Sutton is the ideal outing for adventure lovers had 30 years of safe and tours... 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