Meet at Te Wanahu Flat DOC Area at Peel Forest and hop on a bus or van to the top of the river. Stop at the gear shed to change into the river rafting kit provided. Get a rundown of how the day plays out and how to get dressed in the river gear.

Dress up in booties, thermals, a wetsuit, splash jacket, flotation device, and a helmet. Once everyone is geared up, head to the top of the river to get into the rafts and crew.

Start off on a flat section of the river where you’ll learn paddle commands and do paddle drills. In the flat section, receive a safety briefing, which is just do’s & don’ts of rafting and some important information you want to know before going down the rapids.

Next, tackle the Grade 1, 2, and 3 rapids, where you practice your rafting skills and have an opportunity to become comfortable and confident with rafting as a whole before arriving at the Grade 4/5 Gorge section of the river.

Before rafting the Grade 4/5 section, stop, get out, and scout the first grade 4/5 rapid from a high vantage point. While looking at the first grade 4/5 rapid (Roster Tail), discuss the upcoming gorge section and what to expect.

After this talk, have the opportunity to walk around this section if anyone is not feeling up for it. The walk is short and fairly easy along a 4x4 farm track, only missing about an 800-meter portion of the entire 11km river section. The rest of the river post-gorge offers more rapids to raft, swim spots, rock jumps, and surf holes to play with.

Once at the end of the river trip, take a 5-minute drive back to the gear shed. Get changed and have a few laughs about the day and say your goodbyes.