Where is the rain?
April 10th, 2013Mother Nature has been teasing us recently with a few drops of rain here and there…. It’s got our taste buds tingling and now we are left thirsty for more.
BUT DO NOT FEAR!!!
Although the rafting is always sold as being more challenging when the river is higher after rain, it often washes over a couple of the rapids.
With the Shotover River you have the best of both worlds! When the water is low, you are exposed to all of the rapids, and also have the added excitement of getting stuck in tricky places due to the lack of water flow in a couple of spots.
When we have had rainfall, you have the buzz of the unknown. Short of the raft guides rafting down each morning to check on the state of the river for your safety, you could end up facing brand new rapids that have been made due to movement in rocks.
Come and try out this exciting river rafting experience with our awesome guides, who are sure to keep you busy, laughing and entertained!
To find out more call our freephone number 0800 423836 (NZ only) or email challenge@raft.co.nz
We look forward to hearing from you!
Shotover River Flood – 1st for 2013!
January 20th, 2013So…It has been a rather exciting and wet start to 2013 here at Challenge Rafting.
After receiving a hell of a lot of rain in a short amount of time coupled with the still melting snow from the mountains, the Shotover River and canyon completely flooded taking operations off the river for a good few days. To give you an idea of how flooded it was we have some statistics – Yay! The maximum flow that we can raft on is 70 cumecs (that means 70 cubic metres of water per second flowing past a certain point) but during the worst of the bad weather the river was flowing at…wait for it…350 cumecs – Mental!
HOWEVER it did produce some pretty hardcore conditions for people rafting on the following days. I was lucky enough to experience the wrath of the white water at its strongest and it was incredible, also a little terrifying, we had rafts flipping at every rapid and there was even a small crowd gathered at the mother-in-law rapid to watch everyone get thrown out at the end. Nice. For those of you who maybe a little worried by this don’t worry, the river is back down to a manageable level and normal operations have resumed.
Roll on summer!
Cheers Dan
A Merry Christmas poem for you!
December 28th, 2012We hope you had a great Christmas
And enjoyed the lack of snow
Sun, streamers and party food
River rafting is now raring to go
Mother nature has played her part this Christmas
And the river is flowing well
Although you may feel that you’re lacking in fitness
Grab a paddle and watch our raft guides excel!
Sunshine & Great Water Levels = AMAZING rafting
Grab an oar, work up a sweat that is all we are asking
This spring in Queenstown has been one of the best
Regular rain and late snow melt, puts us to the test
Our raft guides are buzzing when waters are high,
With smiles and cheers all round, you’ll never hear them sigh.
We hope you had a super Christmas
And a happy new year too
Your opportunities from now are limitless
So come see us in combos, please do!
Flow, Flow, Flow the Raft
August 27th, 2011Don’t worry, we haven’t lost our minds here at Challenge Rafting. We are just rather excited as yesterday’s rain has increased the flow of the Shotover River which means white water rafting has got even more exciting! An increase in flow means the rapids are currently graded at 4 and 5 which make for a thrilling raft. What are you all waiting for? It is a fantastic time to white water raft the Shotover River with Challenge Rafting. Our trips depart twice daily so give us a call for more information and to make a booking 0800 423836
CHALLENGE RAFTING IS HEATING UP, FEELING HOT HOT HOT
August 24th, 2011I’m sure you all heard about the big snow we received in Queenstown at the beginning of last week. The snow descended on us in force and we all rushed to the slopes for some awesome powder days. We were a little quiet at Challenge Rafting as we could not get out on the rivers for a couple of days however we had great fun building snowpeople outside the station building. The fun we had in the snow is a distant memory and Challenge Rafting has been enjoying the Shotover River in the last week.
Today is a positively tropical day in Queenstown, I was removing my layers as I strolled into work this morning. It is a fantastic day to be on the Shotover River white water rafting. If you are in Queenstown and don’t have any plans this afternoon (24 August 2011) or fancy a break from the slopes then give us a call. We have a confirmed white water rafting trip on the Shotover River this afternoon.
We also need a few more people to confirm Kawarau River rafting tomorrow morning (25 August 2011). If you are interested in a lower grade of rapid then this is the river for you so give us a call or make a secure booking at www.combos.co.nz
Challenge Rafting offers rafting on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers twice daily so make sure you contact us before you get to Queenstown and we can let you know all about Challenge Rafting and our sister company Queenstown Combos products and help you plan your action packed adventure holiday.
Have a wonderful day and see you all soon!
Why do Challenge Rafting only offer Heli Rafting in winter?
August 12th, 2011During the winter months Challenge Rafting offers Heli Rafting on the Shotover River. You might be wondering why we don’t offer the option to drive to the rafting beach in winter. The answer is quite simple, the access road is too dangerous to drive in winter conditions. Your safety is important to us. The rafts and all equipment are all taken to the beach by the helicopters.
Instead of closing the rafting trip for the winter months we add a little more excitement to the adventure and helicopter you into the beach. I won’t lie to you, the journey is short, approximately 5 minutes but it is exhilarating. The pilots make it exciting by swooping you through the canyons before landing on the beach for the start of your white water rafting adventure along the Shotover River.
“The helicopter ride was more impressive than I expected. The views from the helicopter were beautiful and the big dip before we landed was like being on a rollercoaster. It really got my adrenalin pumping through my body.” Sabrina, France, 11th August 2011
To find out more call our freephone number 0800 423836 (NZ only) or email challenge@raft.co.nz or visit the website www.raft.co.nz We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your Shotover White Water Rafting Adventure.
You only get one life … live it to the max with Challenge Rafting and Queenstown Combos in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand!
August 11th, 2011White Water Rafting on the Shotover River with Challenge Rafting is an adventure all by itself. Queenstown has so much to offer and it is a great idea to take advantage of all the activities available.
Save Time + Save Money and combine Queenstown’s leading adventure activities with our sister company Queenstown Combos. Add one or more of the following activities to your Shotover River Heli Rafting experience:
- Just because we tell you to throw yourself off a 109m cliff over the Shotover River doesn’t mean we don’t like you – experience speeds of up to 150kmph and a 60m freefall with the Shotover Canyon Swing
- Have you got the courage to jump from an aircraft and experience 60 seconds freefall at speeds up to 200kmph. If you think you have, then a Skydive is just what Queenstown Combos ordered for you
- Hold on tight and experience ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’ with the Shotover Jet
- If 134m is a little too much for you we can book a 34m Bungy jump just because we can
Queenstown Combos takes the hassle out of the day by arranging all your transport to and from the different venues so all you have to do is check in with us, relax, have fun and thoroughly enjoy your adventure filled day in Queenstown. Our experienced, friendly staff can discuss the options available and best suited to what you want to do while in Queenstown.
To find out more call the freephone number 0800 423836 (NZ only) or email queenstown@comos.co.nz or visit the website www.combos.co.nz
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your fun filled day in Queenstown.
Winter Rafterland
August 3rd, 2011After a late start, winter, the snow has arrived in full force in Queenstown. Over the last few weeks Queenstown has been turned into a winter wonderland with snow reaching sea level on numerous occasions. It truly has been a beautiful sight and has made Queenstown an even more magical place to be. Many of you probably think that it is only the slopes on offer over winter, well you are mistaken, Queenstown has so much to offer everyone.
Challenge Rafting offers two trips a day white water rafting on the Shotover River. As I said to two gentlemen from warmer climates the other day, “real men and women raft in winter!” The Shotover River is truly magical at this time of year and you may even be lucky enough to see the beautiful icicles forming on the rocks.
You are provided with thick wetsuits, gloves and boots to keep you warm and of course you’ll be having so much you won’t have time to get cold. After all your hard work and excitement white water rafting on the Shotover River there are hot showers and saunas waiting for you at the end of the day. The sauna is a perfect end to a fantastic adventure where you can de-brief with friends and fellow rafters.
“An amazing unique Queenstown experience, the helicopter flight as an extra is unbelievable!” Ben Salter, Sydney, Australia 29th July 2011
Queenstown is all OK
February 25th, 2011Sending our love and support to everyone in Christchurch right now………….. Queenstown is all OK and we are seeing several Christchurch residents escape the chaos and aftershocks of the 22 Feb earthquake.
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Rates valid 01 Oct 2012 – 30 Sep 2013.