The NZ Extreme Whitewater Race Series consists of four events split over the North and South islands of New Zealand. This year, the full series did not go ahead, but we were able to partake in 3 events of the series: the Wairoa Extreme Race, Buller Fest, and the Citroen Extreme Race (Nevis Bluff time trial remix). Each event took place over the space of a weekend, each a week apart. Joined by Rhys Thompson and Josh Scarlett, we made our way around New Zealand, going to each event and paddling along the way.
The first of the three events was the Wairoa Extreme Race put on by Sam Ricketts of the New Zealand Whitewater Academy. The Wairoa is located in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island. This dam releases once a week on a Sunday and provides some excellent class 4 kayaking.
The weekend kicked off with a time trial event on Saturday, held from the river’s get-on at MacLaren Falls, down to the bottom of “Rollercoaster”. Racers must paddle a 10-minute section of class 4, pool-drop rapids as fast as possible, and touch the banner to finish.
Over 40 people partook in Saturday’s time trial, who then collected themselves in the pool below the Rollercoaster for the mass start race. All 40+ people then raced 2km down to the very takeout of the river… it was chaos!
After a fun day of kayaking came a delicious hog roast, plenty of beer, dancing, and a Throw Bag Olympics run by the renowned throw-bagger and rescue enthusiast Rhys Thomson. Thanks to the event sponsors for the delicious food and drink!
A dusty morning setting up the course and the head-to-head race was underway. Kayakers were racing the “Toaster” and “Rollercoaster” rapids in a one vs. one format. Carnage followed as most racers were elbow to elbow, pushed into holes, and slammed into each other. It was awesome spectating and great to see all the work volunteers put in to making the event happen.
During the closing ceremony, many cool prizes were given out, including some lovely new paddles! Pyranha had kindly donated a 9R to be raffled off to raise money towards the legal fees required to fight the Kaituna dam project. The fight against this dam is still ongoing. Please follow WhitewaterNZ to find out what you can do.
The week after the event, Rhys and I returned to work but got in an after-work lap on the Aniwhenua, a dam-released section with a fun 10fter at the end. It was a great feeling to be operating on a new section to us, and it got me excited to head south!
Later that week, after a punishing few hours of driving, a ferry ride, and a pizza, we arrived in Murchison, the home of Buller Fest. Upon arrival, we hit up Mauria Falls, a Murch classic. This beautiful park-n-huck 20fter made for an entertaining afternoon!
That evening came the Awanui Film Awards. Plenty of beer and videography was consumed. The winning film, “RPM Depreciation,” was one of the funniest kayaking films I’ve ever seen and will likely become a staple of kayaking films in the future.
Saturday of Buller Fest was lively, with the slalom and rafter cross providing entertainment before a big party in the evening. Thanks to all the volunteers and the event organisers for putting together such a wholesome day!
On Sunday morning, we were all feeling pretty dusty, and the day kicked off with some friendly Boater X on the Lower Mātakitaki. It’s so good to be surrounded by such a big community of stoked kayakers, and it’s great to see so many Pyranha kayaks out on the water. 9R and Ripper 1 still pull their weight as some of the fastest boats out there!*
*Editor’s Note: The original Ripper is now available as the R.One; the same hull, at a lower price point in single colours with Connect outfitting.
On Monday, we headed down the West coast with our eyes set on some famous coast creeking. We got a lap in on the Crooked River and then continued on to the infamous T Canyon, a West Coast classic. T Canyon was a huge day out, tackling class 5 moves with exposure, tough portaging, rope work, and consequence. Super grateful to George Hayhoe for keeping us on track in there!
We continued our drive down the west coast and down to Queenstown, where we were greeted fondly by the local community. Huge shout out to Matt, Morgan, Will, and Jess for letting us crash for the weekend!
Usually, this event is held on ‘Citroen’ in a Boater X format. Due to low water levels this year, the race was held on the infamous “Nevis Bluff” rapid of the Kawarau River in a time trial format. Over 30 kayakers participated in the advanced time trial, with two laps each. Pretty stoked to say that Josh Rhys and I topped out with the fastest 3 times of the day alongside Will Payton and Ben Young.
After the time trial had finished, everyone helped to get the class 3 boaters’ kayaks down to the bottom of the next rapid (Bar Fight). Then ensued a 4×4 Boater X race down some punchy class 3. There was minimal carnage, and everybody was stoked. It was a great atmosphere.
The weekend concluded with another big party and a social float on the Sunday morning—a good opportunity to reflect and catch up with friends. On Monday morning, we made our way back up the east coast to Picton and back up the North Island to our local section, the Kaituna.
Thanks to everyone who welcomed us, fed us, danced, kayaked, and laughed with us. A truly memorable couple of weeks. Shot team. x
