ATM: Rafting on the Yoshino Gawa in Japan!

ATM: Rafting on the Yoshino Gawa in Japan!

Monday, April 27, 2009

SAY NO! TO STAGE 2!

Artificial White Water Course For Auckland!
Who Cares about the REST of NZ!
SAY 'NO' TO STAGE 2!


Why Is This a Bad Idea?

1. Why would you make a river that USES power?

I Don't Know!

We already have power shortages all over New Zealand.

So the government's answer is to try and dam rivers like the Mokihinui, lower Kaituna, Mokau, Orari, Rangitata and Nevis rivers!

More power we uses more power stations are needed and with stupid projects like stage 2, closer its getting to Damming your home Run and losing it for good!

We have already lost the Tongariro, Wairoa, Waikaretaheke, Whakapapa, Waikato and more to Dams!

2. Doesn't NZ already have a world Class Slalom course?

YES we do!

The Mangahoa slalom course has be there for at least 10 years and has had 1 million dollars spent on it to bring it up to standard.

It has already hosted a number of events with much success.

"The ICF officials have LOVED it, and we've met all the criteria to host further international events."

"Our course, which cost $1 million, compares well with the Sydney Olympic course, which cost them $6 million to build. They'll definitely be more Oceania Championships here."

-Said John Snook (Member of the Mangahoa White Water Park Trust board)

There are also another 3 other slalom courses in the North Island that could uses the money to make them world class courses not to mention the slalom courses down South!
And for the excuse that these courses are to far away from Airports and cities?
This is a good thing gives Competitors and spectators form NZ and all over the world to see the rest of Aotearoa not just Auckland, and maybe spend there money in smaller towns that need it more than AUCKLAND!
3. Aren't there better things to spend $60 million dollars of rate payers money?

Yes there is!

Roads, Infrastructure, Upgrading Existing Facilities in NZ or building a wicked White water course on a river that has moving water but no good features Eg. Waikato or even better a river that has already been dammed and there is no shortage of them!

4. Won't the rafting at stage 2 take work away from other Privately owned rafting companies?

Yes it will!

If tourist go rafting at Stage 2 the will be less likely to raft anywhere else in NZ!

Why? because they have already done that activity and are more likely to do other activities that they haven't done.

They will be less likely to do the Kaituna, Rangitaiki, Rangitikei or Wairoa because they have already been rafting and they defiantly wont be doing any class 3 rafting like the Tongariro or Buller!

This will force the smaller rafting companies to close or lay off staff, it will also reduce tourist and money coming in to smaller towns.

I'm Just being Realistic!
Writen By Matthew Burton

Any Comments Please contact me at mattburton_nz@homail.com

Thank You.

Friday, April 17, 2009

An Epic Day on the Waihohonu!

Here are some photos from our full on day on the upper Waihohonu river i have a story with full details of the trip coming soon.
O and if anyone is keen to do this run or needs some details about it send me an email @ mattburton_nz@hotmail.com
I'm very keen to do this river again!!
The entrance into 'Speed Trap'
Gerrard running 'Speed Trap' Gerrard with broken ligaments on the bottom of his foot after a very very bad line. I dont think Si is very happy!
2nd portage 'Sink Hole' 10 footer
Si running '50/50'
Gerrard running right on '50/50'
Gerrard Running '50/50'. Simon on one of the small drops.
Gerrard coming out of 'Rooster Shoot'.Portage 1 'Rock Stomp'. Me and Gerrard coming out of the first gorge, how sick is that!
Me running 'Melt Down'.
First big drop, 'Melt Down' .
The Team.
Chilling out before we put on.
The boys pushing on! Or is it Pulling on? I think a boat harness helps ha ha ha.
Me pointing.
The start of the track.

What a beautiful place we live in!