Kayakers conquer waterfall – Giants Gate waterfall, on the Milford Track, New Zealand
WOOHOO: Robert Hervey rides down Giants Gate waterfall, on the Milford Track, in a kayak on Saturday.
Four men are believed to have made history by falling down a massive waterfall in a kayak – on purpose.
Whitewater kayakers Dylan Thomson, Shannon Mast, both of Wanaka, Justin Venable, of Hokitika, and Robert Hervey, of Murchison, became the first known kayakers to descend the Giants Gate falls on the Milford Track on Saturday.
Mr Thomson estimated the kayakers free-fell 24 metres down the waterfall during the descent, which they attempted one by one.
“It was pretty exciting, putting it mildly.”
The group had wanted to kayak down the falls since last year, but river conditions meant it was not possible until last weekend.
To get to the waterfall, the four had to be lowered into the river on a rope, which was anchored to a “good Southland beech tree” and tied to the end of the kayak.
The physical preparation took about an hour, while the ride itself was over in a matter of seconds, Mr Thomson said.
The brevity of the fall meant planning for the collision at the bottom was extra important.
In the few seconds between going over the waterfall edge and hitting the water below, the kayakers had to throw away the paddle and tuck in tight over the front of the kayak to minimise the impact, he said.
“Once you’ve gone over the edge, you’ve just got to hope, really, that you’ve planned it out well enough.
“It does hit pretty hard and you can be pretty sore.”
As an extra precaution, Mr Thomson usually wore elbow pads and other safety gear to protect against impact, he said.
While it was the first time the waterfall had been crossed by kayakers, it was not the first time the kayakers had attempted a waterfall.
Mr Thomson estimated the group had about 60 years of kayaking experience between them, and had descended waterfalls around the world in their kayaks.
He suggested anyone interested in trying whitewater kayaking should contact with their local kayaking club for beginner’s tips, or try the “old Google trick”.
Ross Hore, of Roscos Milford Kayaks, said he believed the group were the first to go down the falls on a kayak.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Kayakers conquer waterfall - Giants Gate waterfall, on the Milford Track, New Zealand
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