Grade 5 Inflatable Kayaking – Rocks & Rapids

Season: January to March depending on river levels – please contact us to check.

Duration: Half Day

$255

PER ADULT

Start time

Trips depart daily at 8.15am or 12.30pm

ALREADY BEEN RAFTING? BUY YOUR PHOTOS HERE

Please note: We need a minimum of 4 people for this trip to go ahead.  Departures are river level dependent.

Are you looking for some summer white water fun, but are disappointed that rivers may be too low?

It is summer time. Days are hot, the water is warm, and just the time to go white water rafting. Right? Now is the opportunity to try your hand at Inflatable Kayaking. A fun option for playing on the river

Days are hot, the water is warm, and it’s just the right time to go white water rafting.

Right?

Well maybe not.

You see many New Zealand rivers are not dam controlled, and are in fact free flowing. This can mean that without regular rainfall, river levels can drop. The Rangitikei River often experiences this for several weeks in late January or February.

Do not be disheartened!

Now is the opportunity to try your hand at Inflatable Kayaking. A fun option for playing on the river, these craft aren’t really kayaks at all, rather they are more like a narrow single or two person raft, with either single bladed or two bladed kayak paddles being used. They are just as much fun as rafts, but possibly more extreme, as you have the option of getting amongst it all on your own rather than in a group.

Go further and under our guides practised care, run some real rapids and drops. Great fun!

You may be wondering whether you have the skill level to handle one of these craft? Well you don’t have to go by yourself.

Classify Yourself.

1. Not very courageous at all
– go in a kayak with a guide

2. Semi courageous
– take a two person kayak and paddle it with a mate

3. Fully Courageous
– take a single person kayak all by your lonesome

The season varies for this trip as it is river level critical. Keep an eye on our facebook posts and blog to check when it is ON!

Follow the links on this page to make an enquiry. These trips do not run every year and are totally river level dependent.

What we provide

  • Wetsuit
  • Helmet
  • Lifejacket
  • Neoprene booties
  • Fleece top
  • Paddle jacket
  • On cooler days, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks

What to bring

  • Towel
  • Swimsuit
  • A thirst for fun!

The Rangitikei River – Grade 5 Section Map

Use the controls to check out this beautiful section of the Rangitikei River, the Grade 5 section – steep, technical and fun. Click on each rapid to more see photos of what lies ahead.

Still Not Sure if This Trip is for You?

Hold on a minute, you have questions right?

Will I be Fit Enough?

You do need an average level of fitness as you will be required to help paddle the raft.

Do I Need Experience?

You do not need any experience to join our trip, as long as you have the right attitude and are willing to work as part of a team.

Will I Fall out?

You may fall out, in fact 5% of people have an unplanned exit from the raft.

How Safe is it?

Rafting the Grade 5 section of the Rangitikei River is not 100% safe. There are absolutely no guarantees that nothing untoward will happen.

Is This Trip Really for me?

This trip is not for everyone. It is for the person who knows what they want in a whitewater rafting experience – fun, thrills, excitement, and a real sense that what you do on that raft, with your paddle, actually makes a difference.

Will I be in Safe Hands?

At River Valley, exploring rivers is a passion, and since 1982 we have been taking people down rivers in rafts. That passion has now been passed through three generations, with two of those generations still actively guiding. On any given day, between the guides on the river, there can be up to 97 years of experience. That is quite something.

As far as guide training is concerned, we believe in putting actions to our words. At regular intervals, our white water raft guides conduct scenario testing. This involves setting up situations, (without clients), where skills and systems are tested and challenged. River Guides Guides employed at River Valley are as a general rule, highly skilled to begin with. If they are are working here they do not need to be trained to guide a raft!

I’m Not Sure This Trip is for me, What are my Other Options?

Our full day scenic rafting trip is a great option for those who aren’t sure they want to do the grade 5 trip. This trip is also suitable for children under 13. Or, explore more of the beautiful Rangitikei River on one of our 1-6 day multi-day rafting trips.

Have any questions?

Speak to one of our friendly adventure consultants who would love to help you out.
thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz / 0800 248666

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