| About 2 hours drive from Christchurch you will find | | | | way down a long calm patch of the river. |
| the Rangitata River. It's located near Geraldine, a | | | | After everyone in your raft is confident with the |
| beautiful area of the South Island with some stunning | | | | skills, it's time to hit your first rapids! This is definitely |
| landscapes and natural features on view. The river is | | | | the most exciting part and what makes people come |
| also perfectly suited for white water rafting with a | | | | back for more. It's a real adrenaline rush as your raft |
| number of exhilarating rapids to go with the flat | | | | is thrown through the rapids, you can feel the power |
| sections that are great for practising your skills or | | | | of the water as you bump up and down and side to |
| getting a well-earned breather. | | | | side with each dip and change of direction. The |
| Most operators that take rafting trips on the | | | | instructors do a great job of keeping you on the |
| Rangitata River take you to and from Christchurch in | | | | right path although you'll have to help them out when |
| a shuttle. Like most white water rafting trips, it can | | | | they need it, some rapid paddling is required to get |
| be intense at times and without needing to be a | | | | through some of the tough spots. |
| professional athlete, it helps if you are reasonably fit. | | | | As you head further down the river, you'll get to |
| The more you put in, the more you will get out of | | | | enjoy a lot more exciting rapids that really get the |
| this experience, so if flying down gushing rapids is | | | | heart going. Sometimes they can be so intense that |
| your kind of thing, then you're going to have a great | | | | people fall out or rafts flip over, this isn't uncommon |
| time. | | | | and the instructors will alert you if you need to pick |
| The day starts off with a shuttle picking you up | | | | up someone that went overboard. The risk factor is |
| from Christchurch early in the morning. From here it's | | | | all part of the excitement but at no stage does it fell |
| a simple but pleasant drive through the countryside | | | | dangerous. The strength (or grading) of the river |
| on your way to the Rangitata River. Once reaching | | | | changes throughout the year but will always give you |
| the river, you drive further up it to a lodge where | | | | some very challenging sections of white water. |
| you will start your day of activities. | | | | The main part of the trip lasts for a couple of hours |
| The first thing that needs organising is your | | | | before the river flattens out and you get the chance |
| equipment. This consists of things like a wetsuit, | | | | to have a bit of fun with the other rafts, i.e. splashing |
| helmet, life jacket etc. They may not be the most | | | | them with your oars or throwing their instructor in |
| comfortable or fashionable but the water can be cold | | | | the water. You may also get the chance to jump off |
| so you'll definitely appreciate it. After being kitted | | | | some very high rocks or float down sections of the |
| out, you'll be split into groups that will make up those | | | | river out of the raft (this is when you'll be glad you're |
| on your raft. It's great if you've got a bunch of | | | | in a wetsuit). |
| friends to go with but if not, you'll probably meet | | | | After loading the rafts onto the trailers, you'll head |
| some new ones by the end of the day anyway. | | | | back up to the lodge for a well-earned barbeque. By |
| Driving further up the river you'll arrive at the point | | | | this stage you should be exhausted, just managing to |
| where you'll be starting your journey. It's here that | | | | stay in the raft all day can be hard work! After some |
| you'll get your first taste of rafting. Each raft has one | | | | laughs and a few final words it's time to head home. |
| instructor who sits at the back of the raft, helps you | | | | You get the opportunity to buy photos taken of |
| avoid rocks, cracks jokes, ensures safety and in | | | | your rafts, which is a nice touch, albeit a slightly |
| general makes sure you have a great time. Your | | | | expensive one. |
| instructor will brief you all on the basics, which include | | | | Going down the rapids is a truly awesome experience |
| things like paddling, lunging to one side and pulling | | | | and one that you'll be raving to your friends about |
| people back into the raft if they fall out (which can | | | | for weeks. White water rafting comes highly |
| and probably will happen). You get plenty of chance | | | | recommended for anyone visiting Christchurch and |
| to practise all these things as you gently make your | | | | looking for something exciting to try. |