Kokatahi River

Photo - Zak Shaw, Mick follows Bens lead into Carnage Gorge.
Carnage Gorge has become easier. Two NZer's Bruce Barnes and Graham Charles nearly lost their lives here during the first descent in 1996.
With none of our team, Ben Jackson, Mick Hopkinson and myself having ever done the Kokatahi river before we were very cautious.
The Kokatahi experience is a mixture of exceptional scenery, demanding whitewater and dark committing gorges. Its forever changing, the surrounding countryside is incredibly mobile. Every trip after rain is essentially a first descent.
Photo - With good beta from Dave Kwant and some close inspection from the chopper during the flight we dropped into the narrow gorge.
Get off the mushroom, avoid the wall!
Photo - Ben Jackson

"Skatepark" A very unique water feature. Its a natural half pipe, carved water worn bedrock and a cool slide to follow. Ben lines it up
Image - Zak Shaw
Skatepark exit, Dave Ritchie (2nd trip, the next day) skips off the ramp and over a beefy hole!
Photo - Zak Shaw

Photo - Zak Shaw
Yep thats Mick, new stylish helmet! Providing safety for Ben above a classic boof drop above the 2nd of the four overwhelming gorges in the Kokatahi catchment.

Free at last, its a big day in the Kokatahi. We managed 4.5 hours from the twin huts put in on friday. Saturday Dave Ritchie, Andy England, Kev England and myself flew in higher to Crawford Junction and made it to the get out in 6 hours.

Photo - Zak Shaw
The exit to the final gorge is an unreal place.

Buller Fest 2007

Image courtesy of thephotochick.co.nz
Mens Open slalom 3rd place

The first weekend in March every year is Buller Fest time here in Murchison.
On the friday 65 competitors showed up for the down river race on the lower section of the Matakitaki. Racing head to head in heats with four paddlers, its about getting a good quick start and blasting downriver 400m to the finish rock.

The sat events were the Kayak Slalom and Raftacross at Osullivan's rapid. It was a massive turnout especially in the novice women and men sections.
The Big Air competition took place on the sunday. It was one by a guy with a broken leg!
see www.thephotochick.co.nz for all images from the festival.


Photo - Sandra Mueller
First place - Downriver race.


Some heats are closer than others! Semifinal time, sudden death only the winner advances.
Sam, Eden and number 70 battle it out.

Lower Matakitaki River race scene.

Even the prince showed up!