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White-water rafting in New Zealand

Country/City: Taupo, NZ
Name: Rapid Sensations Rafting
Address: P.O. Box 1725, Taupo, New Zealand
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White Water Rafting adventures include a selection of the best ½ and full days trips in the country.  From the excitement of the 50+ rapids on the Upper Tongariro River to the white-knuckled thrills of the Grade 4-5 Mohaka Gorge our rafting adventures are the ultimate white water experience.  Family Fun adventures and Combo options mean that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a rapid sensation and more...

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THE PACKAGES:

Tongariro rafting trip
This is one of New Zealand’s best rafting adventures. With more than 50 boulder-strewn, fun filled rapids, a backdrop of native beech forest and towering volcanic cliffs, you’ll be talking about this trip for a long time.  As you drift between rapids you may glimpse the rare, native blue duck 'Whio' and rainbow trout in the deep clear pools. 

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Mohaka Gorge, Grade 4-5 
This is the most 'sensational' grade 4-5 trip in the North Island.  An action packed full day adventure in an isolated gorge with limestone cliffs and huge boulders. Good teamwork is essential - the river is powerful and the rapids change frequently due to the softer rock. We stop frequently to scout difficult rapids - guaranteed to get the heart pumping.  

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Combo options - raft, bike and walk

Combine rafting with a selection of scenic walks, caving or mountain biking.  Possible combos include ½ day walk/raft or mountain bike/raft scenic trips or for the more adventurous leave the beaten track and explore caves, or single track mountain biking.  Adventure combos cater for all ages and groups. 

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Taupo Kayak School

White water introduction
Learn the basics of paddling white water.  This is a fun course for novices over 2 days.  Start day one with a heated pool session where you will learn basic water confidence skills along with an introduction to the Eskimo Roll.  The afternoon takes you through basic flat-water paddle strokes and a river trip taking time out to enjoy the natural thermal pools.  Day two will see you progressing your flat-water paddle skills onto moving water.  Round off the second day with some basic rescue skills and a chance to play on some easy rapids at Reid’s Farm.  

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White water intermediate
This is a follow on from the Intro Course.  Once again set over 2 days you will have the opportunity to fine tune your moving water paddle skills, tidy up your Eskimo Roll and make a couple of runs on a grade 2 river.  Starting day one at Reid’s Farm with a tune up session on your roll and basic moving water paddle strokes.  Day two sees you heading off to the Mohaka River for a couple of runs on a moderate grade 2 section.  Here you a shown the basics of river reading and running along with some time out for a look at surfing and other basic 'play boat' moves. 

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White water advanced
Tune up your paddle skills to enable you to paddle Grade 3 water efficiently, and have fun doing it.  This is a 4-day course, with 3 days in Taupo and 1 full day on either the Mohaka or Rangitaiki Rivers.  Video analysis on day one will give you and your instructor a clear picture of your basic flat and moving water paddle skills.  Improve your Eskimo Roll and or learn a new one.  River running skills, Hole Riding and Surfing, tidy up your techniques and or learn new skills.  Using Slalom Gates you will be taught how to improve timing and accuracy.  Trip Leadership and Defensive Paddling cover off an intensive and fun filled 3 days before putting it all into practice on a full day grade 3+ river run.   
River safety

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River safety
The 2-day River Safety course is designed to introduce you the skills necessary to assist someone while you are still in your boat.  Along with some basic rope skills this course is all about being safe on the river.   

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River rescue
The River Rescue course is designed for those people who are leading kayaking trips and or those who would like to paddle more adventurous rivers.  Over 2 days this NZRCA approved course covers knots, pulley systems, Z-drags, improvised harnesses, improvised abseiling on river rescue gear, pre-protection of rapids, rescues from holes with boat and throwbags, vertical pins and vertical hoists.  A must for all kayakers, come and learn from the only North Island NZRCA approved River Rescue Instructor.   

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Instructor training
This course is designed to introduce you to or further develop your instruction technique.  Come and learn from one of New Zealand’s most current Instructors and NZOIA Assessors. Over 2 days this course focuses on Instructional skill, Personal skills (including video analysis of flat and moving water skills), Rescue and Group Management skills.  If you are leading kayaking trips, teaching novice paddlers or looking for the best instruction techniques this is a course not to be missed.  

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Guided river trips
Kayak some of New Zealand’s best scenic and spectacular white water.  Take advantage of our experienced kayak guides and venture onto those rivers you’ve heard so much about.  Programmed guided trip details are available here, or alternatively you may accompany any one of our daily raft trips providing you can demonstrate the desired level of competency prior to departure.  Club and group trips can also be arranged including overnight adventures.

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Grade 2 Multisport Course
If you’re thinking about, entering or already competing in Multisport events this course is the ideal format to learn / train in your Multisport kayak.  Book with us and enjoy 3 days of multisport kayak instruction at our new river side base.  We have introduced this new 3 day course to allow more time on the river to practice the skills taught on day one, including fit out time and materials for your own multisport boat.  Day one is based in Taupo learning or refreshing your basic white water skills.  Days two and three are based at the Mohaka river and will include no less than 6 runs on the river, at least 60km of grade 2 paddling!!  All food and accommodation is included. Separate assessments and one on one tuition is also available on request.

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Rapid Sensations Mountain Biking

Rapid sensations do a range of mountain biking tours in the Taupo region, New Zealand.

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