More Kiwi action, this time 2010 Slovenian crew trip...

I know, when you came from a trip you always say the same words, this is the place to go and New Zealand isn`t an exception. Hot weather, lots of water and good friends made this islands something  special for me.

      Me and my friends (Dejan Kralj, Janez Cizman and Andraz Krpic) started our adventure in Roturua on Kaituna river, with a classic first day run on Okere Falls. It was very difficult to hide the enthusiasm of being on water in shorts in a beautiful Kaituna nature in January.

      The next day after a Mike Dawson’s tip to go on a dam released Waiora we went straight there. We did the dam and Mclaren falls on Waiora and we were fired up.

       In the next days we did the magnificent Gnarly gorge on Kaituna, but we could not wait to go on the south, to see in and live the real kayak adventure.

       Crooked was our first run on the west coast of the south island, but the long walk and low water made us a little bit disappointed. Anyway the nice nature and rapids made the river a solid class four run instead of a great five.

        The third day on the south we came in Hokitika a small dead city in middle of the west coast. For us, it was a paradise, Hokitika is the best location for hely runs.  

         Finally we were ready for calling Bruce Dendo the local pilot legend. The next day Dendo fly as on Waitaha  and  the adventure was waiting for us .On the river there is no telephone signal, no civilization, nothing, just our group and a beautiful river. It took us 5h to paddle over great class five rapids in amazing granite gardens to came to the Morgans gorge. A long 3h walk around the gorge followed and another extra hour of paddling to come to the finish. It is difficult to describe the filling to be tired and happy at the same time, but this happened that day.

     The ice was broken and Bruce had another call from as. It was time for Kokotahi.

This is the pure heaven run, crystal water in the amazing valley, made this run one of the best runs on my top ten least. We were forced to put our boats on our shoulders just few times in eight hours of haven.

     Two day Waitaha trip is almost a must do, class five run if you enjoy in continuous step creeks. This is an adventure to live, not just for the hard rapids, also because it takes two days of paddling. There is a hut on the half way, Bruce left our sleeping begs and food at the hut and once again showed who is the flying legend.

      Having teen days of sun was a privilege on the south, but for that reason also the high light of the west coast, Hokitika was too low.

     Perth was our salvation and a big group was getting together for an economic hely jet shuttle. Not to hard but really funny and dynamic step river, with lots of action. At the end there is one of the nicest gorges that I have ever paddled, this was one of the best ways to finish the south island trip.

     I always look forwards on my trips for a new river, strech or rapid and for that reason Aratiatia was the next step. Aratiatia is a dam released strech on Waikato river, which have four class five plus rapids, realised every two hours. It was strange to put in on the dray lake under the dam but after the rellease the action started. To run the rapids you have to be precise, quick and having a good safety set up is not a question. I was a little lost on the first rapid but the roll just before the second rapid woke me up and from then on everything went smooth.

        New Zealand was a great kayaking experience and one of the best trips in my life…

tekst: Andrej Bijuklic

Look the video from the trip in the Video Bar!

2011 Kiwi experience by Fabian A.B.

Fabian A. Bonanno takes on New Zealand

Well there are so many things I've been doing these last few months, i'm not sure where to start...

Firstly I'm now living in Okere Falls in a house thats located on top of a hill 200 meters from the Kaituna River and Lake Rotoiti. - The Kaituna River is known for having the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall and tandem kayak class 5 run, also for its warm water temperature and vegetation.

Primarily I've taken the opportunity to get together with some great local kayakers (Kenny Mutton, Sam and Jamey Sutton and many more). From Monday to Saturday we are on the water at 6.30am training. I personally feel faster every day and I am learning new techniques to use in racing, which is really awesome.

I have also started to take people in tandem kayaks down the river for the local company Kaituna Kayaks. My rolls are put to the test when I have clients who weigh over 90kgs! 

I'm super happy because i had the opportunity to race in 3 of the most important kayak events in New Zealand. The Wairoa Extreme Race (finalist in the quarter finals), Buller Fest (finalist in the quarter finals for t baefore the Citroen Race I was kayaking on the west coast with a group of mates, all very good kayakers (Bradley Lauder, Ryan Luca, Sam Sutton, Mike Dawson, Willz Martin and more). Most of the rivers in this area are only accessible by helicopter. Everything seems so small from above but the reality is quite the opposite when you're in your kayak. 

I still have a month to continue having fun and keep running new rivers...
Fabian A.B.