NO SWIMMING!!!!!

The 3 rules of Aratiatia:

Rule number 1: No Swimming.

Rule number 2: Always have safety at the Weir!

Rule number 3: Have a camera there to catch the action either good or bad.

If you follow these 3 simple rules life will be sweet and easy, Fail to follow will result in experencing the last 2 days of my life which take it from me have been stressful and scary!

Good luck!!

Rule Number 1!!!!!

Max just before he breaks rule number 1! Luckily he didn't break rule number 2!

Simon Reminding himself of rule number 1.

Simon after breaking Rule number 1 and 2!

The good news is that everyone is safe and well, no gear was lost and the limits of extreme white water kayaking in NZ is still getting pushed. Unfortunately, sometimes a bit to far but i guess thats why we have throw bags!!!!

Good work Boys!!!

Go hard or go home!

Aratiatia Rapids, Get Her Done!

This was a day of days, not only had i had my 22nd birthday the day before, i was now sitting in the eddy above the Aratiatia rapids.

Only one word came to mind "Epic"

This section of river for me has been something I've wanted to do my entire paddling career but to be honest when first ever looked at it many years ago i never thought id ever be good enough or brave enough to attempt it!

On the 26th of Jan 2010 at 12:13pm myself, Simon Davidson, William Martin and Max Siech Paddled the Aratiatia rapids

On the 26th of Jan 2010 at 12:30pm myself, Simon Davidson, William Martin and Max Siech were Skulling a Corona having just safely kayaked the Aratiatia Rapids.

That 17 minutes has to be the best 17 minutes of my life so far!!!

Ill never forget it!

Enjoy

13 Minutes later the river is full and the team is ready to GO!

Threading the needle on the entrance.

(Shitting my pants about..........................................NOW!)

Lining up the flake on the second drop.

Shooting the gap!

Done!

Now i only have the weir to deal with, Great!

So I've been told the middle with a late boof is the line on the weir?

Well i tryed hard left......

Looks pretty good to me.....

But ill let you be the judge!

BOOF!! And Home Free!!!! I think i kept my head dry!

Well until the middle melt Ha Ha

Simon Davidson Threads the needle on the second drop! Nice!

The Weir.....

Middle/left late boof........

Nice bro!!!

Stomped it!

William Martin Running off the Flake.

Making it look easy!

Middle late boof......

Wooohooo!!

No Problem!

Max Siech making his second move.

Middle on the weir, super huge late boof.....

Looking good.....

Hits it going a million miles an hour!

And Max shoots out the other side!!

The feeling of being in there is unreal!

Si getting ready to hold on to his hat.

Max lining up the melt on the middle rapid.

Me, very happy we all made it out in one piece!

Simon Davidson(19), William Martin(19), Max Siech(19) and Myself (22)

Thank you to Brent, Mike, MP and Tony for doing safety and shooting photos!

Thank you to the nice Police officer that gave us a lift back to the top!

Cops are Tops!

Finally thank you to the boys for a wicked day ill never forget!!

Cheers Guys!