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Stay Safe on the Rapids: Essential Tips for White Water Rafting

White water rafting in Rotorua is an incredible and exciting sport, however, it can also be dangerous if you are not familiar with rafting or safety techniques.

For the best white water rafting in New Zealand, Kaituna Cascades has got you covered. In fact, we have compiled a list of the essential tips for white water rafting to ensure that you stay safe on the rapids.

Let’s explore them below!

1. Wear Safety Equipment

From life jackets to helmets, it is important that you wear rafting safety equipment—and make sure that they are secured correctly. The life jacket should fit snug on your body, allowing you to breathe, but still tight enough that it cannot be pulled over your head. This is crucial in the instance that you fall off the boat. Kaituna Cascades will provide you with all this gear.

2. Know How to Hold the Paddle

Navigating your way around the river requires skill and technique, and one aspect to consider when rafting is knowing how to hold the paddle properly. One hand should be on the base of the paddle shaft, while the other is over the ‘T’ grip of the paddle. Ensuring that your hand is always on the T grip can prevent accidental injuries, particularly as this part of the paddle is hard and can land painful blows.

3. Be Prepared to Swim

Whether you fall out or jump in, it is essential that you know how to swim—and what the key swimming techniques are for swimming in rafting rivers. We recommend knowing the down river swimmer’s position, also known as the white water position, with your butt high, on your back, head up, knees slightly bent, and feet pointing downstream. Remember to avoid standing in a river with a current and always swim all the way to the shore. All this will be discussed to you during the safety briefings at Kaituna Cascades.

Interested in white water rafting in Rotorua? If so, then Kaituna Cascades offers a selection of white water rafting packages for you to experience. From white water rafting on the Kaituna River to the Wairoa River, we offer Grade 4 and Grade 5 rafting experiences that promise thrill and exhilaration. Contact us today to learn more about our packages.

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We pride ourselves on being the safest company on the river, while having all the fun…We are audited by Adventure Mark and comply with the New Zealand Safety Audit Standard for Adventure Activities 2017. We are also endorsed by Qualmark NZ!

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LET OUR RAFTERS TELL YOU ABOUT
THEIR TIME WITH US
This was a great couple bonding experience that took us both to the edge of our comfort zones. Could not speak highly enough of the professionalism of the guiding team - yet making the whole experience one of such fun.
MY FAVOURITE EXPERIENCE IN NZ SO FAR. TOOK THE 9AM TOUR TODAY AND ALREADY CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK. THE RAFTING WAS SO MUCH FUN AND THE TOUR GUIDES ARE HILARIOUS. NEVER FELT IN ANY DANGER JUST ENJOYED THE RIDE! WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. I WENT AS A SOLO TRAVELLER AND IT WAS STILL REALLY ENJOYABLE.
Brilliant! We had heaps of fun. Guides were friendly and made us feel safe and comfortable. Highly recommended to all!

Fantastic outfit. The crew were cheeky as but super professional. We felt safe throughout the entire experience. 11/10 and a big shoutout to Rob for being a GC.
White water rafting at its best. Wonderful guides. A must do when in or around Rotorua. Felt safe, but had the best time.
Great experience! Made me feel safe when I was scared!! You the m san Owen! So glad I did it. It is beautiful!
The guide, Sam, went out of his way to make the trip as fun and exciting as possible. The whole team were friendly and inclusive.
Cole was a really good guide, talked us through everything and had a good laugh. The water was nice, not cold at all. They provide wetsuits, footwear, helmets, life jackets and polo fleeces. Worth the money and would do it again. Recommend going in a group so that you can split the cost of photos.
Unbelievable experience rafting the 7m waterfall this morning! Even more fun when the boat flipped!! Highly recommend! Great fun and great instructors!! Shout out to Pete From the Irish girls.

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KAITUNA CASCADES
RAFTING COMPANY

Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company is the # 1 rafting company in Rotorua on TripAdvisor! We are the original Kaituna Rafting company & have been operating since 1991. Located in an awesome sunny riverside location, we are the Rotorua rafting specialists offering river rafting trips on the Kaituna River (Okere River), Wairoa River & the Rangitaiki River. For the best white water rafting in New Zealand, visit us in Okere Falls, Rotorua!
CELLPHONE:
+64 27 276 5457
EMAIL:
[email protected]

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