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!

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, 11^th 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.

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.

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 29^th July 2011

Finally after all the rain and floods around Christmas and the New Year the Kawarau River levels have drop enough for us to get back on it rafting.

Class I: Easy

Waves small; passages clear; no serious obstacles.

Clear Creek, Idaho USA

Class II:  Medium

Rapids of moderate difficulty with passages clear. Requires experienced guide plus suitable outfit and boat.

Class III: Difficult

Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks; eddies; rapids with passages clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering; scouting usually needed. Requires good guide, operator and boat.

The Chinese Dog Leg. Kawarau River, Queenstown NZ

Class IV: Very difficult

Long rapids; waves high, irregular; dangerous rocks; boiling eddies; best passages difficult to scout; scouting mandatory first time; powerful and precise maneuvering required. Demands expert guide, excellent boat and good quality equipment.

Cascade Rapid. Shotover River, Queenstown NZ

Class V: Extremely difficult

Exceedingly difficult, long and violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption; riverbed extremely obstructed; big drops; violent current; very steep gradient; close study essential but often difficult. Requires best guide, boat, and outfit suited to the situation. All possible precautions must be taken.

Shotover River in Flood, Queenstown NZ

Class VI: Unraftable

Formerly classified as unrunnable by any craft. This classification has now been redefined as “unraftable” due to people having recently kayaked multiple Class VI around the world.

The Rapids of the Drowned. Slave River, Canada

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If that got you hungry for some whitewater action, then check out our website for full details of all our rafting adventures. We’re open all year round!