Terms & Conditions

Requirements 

No previous rafting experience is required. Challenge Rafting articipants must be able to swim confidently.

Minimum Age Policy

Children must be at least 13 years old and at least 40kg to join Challenge Rafting. Guests aged 13–15 must be accompanied by a guardian, while 16–17-year-olds may participate with parental or guardian consent. 

Medical Restrictions

We cannot take you rafting if you are pregnant. Those with a heart condition or taking heart medication are also unable to participate.  

We recommend that you consult us if you suffer from any of the following: 

  • Head Injury 

  • Recent Surgeries 

  • Neurological Disorders 

  • Epilepsy 

  • Dislocations 

  • Artificial Limbs 

  • Back Injuries 

  • Restricted Mobility 

Please note that the above list does not automatically exclude you from rafting, and it is not exhaustive. If you have concerns about an unmentioned condition, please contact our team before your trip.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

  • We operate under a 24-hour cancellation and amendment policy. Any booking that is cancelled or amended within 24 hours of departure will be charged in full. 

  • In the event that a medical condition prevents you from partaking in the activity, a medical certificate must be provided to obtain a refund. 

  • Bookings that are cancelled or amended outside of 24 hours prior to departure can be done so at no charge. 

Minimum Numbers

  • For safety and operational reasons, we require specific numbers to run rafting trips. We ask that you call us the day before your departure to confirm your rafting experience.

  • Bookings will be coordinated to achieve minimum numbers. If we are unable to do so, we will reschedule or cancel your booking without charge. 

Additional Information

  • All prices are subject to change. Valid 1 November 2026 - April 2027. 

  • Operational days -  we do not operate on Christmas Day.

  • All tours operate subject to weather conditions and minimum numbers and we reserve the right to cancel or amend any trip. 

  • Challenge Rafting is subject to the operational and health & safety practices of RealNZ. 

  • Challenge Rafting and RealNZ have the right to refuse any guest at any time. 

  • Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk. Challenge Rafting cannot be held responsible for personal injury or for equipment loss or damage. 

  • The above is subject to any rights or remedies you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. 

  • Participants need to listen carefully to our guides' instructions. 

  • Our rafting experiences operate in association with RealNZ. 

  • We reserve the right to cancel trips or substitute another river or section of river for safety reasons. 

  • These rafting experiences operate with minimum numbers of people. Guests need to reconfirm at least 24 hours prior to departure to ensure your experience will be operating. 

  • All rafting experiences operate dependent on weather, river level and/or water temperature. 

  • Portages may be required based on changes to the water level and flow. 

Risk Disclosure

All activity inherently involves risks and potential hazards, and we cannot anticipate or eliminate all risks, however together we can manage and mitigate risk. 

Often, we are operating in unmodified and uncontrolled terrain and a balanced and conservative approach is taken to accommodate changing conditions. Our risk management includes monitoring of natural hazards including potential atmospheric, land or water related occurrences. (Landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic, storms, flooding, avalanche, rock, or ice fall). 

We provide information to participants before and during the activity to ensure their participation suits their ability and objectives and is as safe as practicable with any potential changes identified prior or during the trip.  

It is important clients acknowledge there are risks, understand safety information and briefings before and during their activity and follow the instructions set out by our experienced and trained teams. 

Prevention of accidents and incidents is key in all our operations, and this is achieved when we all approach activities with care, control, and responsibility. 

For more information about the risks associated with Whitewater Rafting click HERE.

Safety Management

Challenge Rafting is committed to ensuring the highest level of safety of all staff, visitors, contractors, and others who may interact with any part of our activities. 

This is achieved through developing and maintaining a culture where safety is our paramount consideration in everything we do. 

We actively promote safety objectives, not only in the operation of our assets and equipment, but also through maintenance practices, the management of passengers and the training and competency assessment of all staff to a very high standard. 

Our teams of experienced and capable managers and skilled staff have specialist knowledge relevant to each of our aviation, marine and adventure operations.  

We have implemented Safety Management Systems approved by the relevant regulators. 

Should other providers be contracted to deliver services, we check to ensure operators are regulated and audited for H&S compliance to a high standard.