Wild Descent Postponed Due to High River Levels

Press Release / 15.01.2013

Organisers of New Zealand’s unique kayaking event, Wild Descent, due to be held later this week on the Clutha River, have had to postpone the event after significant rainfall in the catchment area has raised safety concerns.

100% Pure Racing co director Warren Bates says the largely unprecedented rainfall has resulted in flood conditions on the Clutha River that prevents the four day, staged kayak event, from getting underway as planned on Thursday (17th Jan, 2013).

“ We have been in daily contact with the entities who control some of the elements of the river via dam release, along with Contact Energy and the local Harbour Master and it appears the high flow levels are expected to remain beyond the date of our event despite improving weather. The river authorities are forecasting flows between 1100 and 1000 cumecs until the 20th of January so that is well above the level we would consider safe for our Wild Descent participants.”

The  Wild Descent adventure kayak event will be rescheduled for a later date once the organising team have had an opportunity to consider all options.  Mr Bates says while its disappointing to have to postpone they remain fully committed to running the event on the Clutha River.

“ Our decision is to look at dates and options to host the Wild Descent after our next adventure racing event, the Orion Health GODZone, which is being held mid March.  The competitors have been very understanding and we want to allow those people to fulfil their goal of racing on the Clutha so we plan to announce new dates later this week.