So today was the day that I finally lost my virginity on the Tuakopai River. The Kaimai’s had got around 40mm of rain overnight and during the morning and we were lucky to time it just right for an afternoon paddle. Meeting at Waimarino at 2, we all got kitted up undercover as it was still pissing down with rain. We then headed up the Kaimai’s, sorting the shuttle on the way. Arriving at the put in Drew came running over to our car looking a bit pale after realising that he had forgotten his gear...well that’s a beer fine but luckily we had seen it thrown it in with our stuff. 
 

Jumping on the river our enthusiasm was just about uncontrollable. Both Josh and I had never run this river before, making us the virgins for the trip so we had the usual mix of excitement and fear. The rest of the crew – Dave, Matt, Drew, and Blair had done it before so were full of advice and tales of their previous adventures. As soon as Blair hit the water, we were off. No time to waste. The river begins with a few small rapids, and then plunges off the first waterfall which is around 8m but not vertical. We ran right, and so began a series of nonstop action. At Corkscrew falls we all jumped out for a look, with Josh and Drew deciding to walk it. Then came Spa falls, which we also had a look at fist. This is an amazing waterfall that plunges off an 8m vertical drop into a small pool (about the size of a large spa pool hence its name), then straight over a small 1/2m weir that is no problem. A drop like that can only leave a smile on your face!! It was an amazing experience and something to add to my all time favourite’s basket. After Spa falls comes Douglas falls, which we all walked due to its reputation at a back-breaker.  Then it was into Pace falls. This is long slide that leads into a shallow waterfall, which then lands on another slide. This all means that you have no control of your speed what so ever because you can’t get a paddle stroke in. All you can do is stay straight, hang on, and enjoys the fastest ride in a kayak that you will ever get! Haha this is awesome.
  The rest of the river is a bit more sedate. You still have about another hour of paddling to go, and there are still some very big drops and slides to tangle with, but none of these require you to get out for scouting...but it is handy to be paddling this with an experienced person who can point you in the right direction.  But don’t get complacent about these smaller drops, as Josh found out they can still claim some carnage, with his paddle being lost for around 5 minutes. The get out is obvious when the bridge looms overhead, or else you can continue on down and hit the Mangakaranga River.

If you ever get the chance to run this river make sure you do everything you can to get there! It has everything...huge slides, massive blind drops, technical drops, and nonstop action from start to finish. What more can you ask for :-)

Special thanks to Blair for leading the charge and showing the boys the ways. Check out the video of Matt dropping off Spa Falls http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4387363&id=511921938#!/group.php?gid=108354555864215

Photos

1.Josh dacking himself above Spa Falls

2. Dave being Dave
 

3. Spa Falls

4. Matt doing the salmon call