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Rafting Down The Buller

Rob Howard / 15.11.2005

The Buller River is low this year, but teams still had plenty of white water to find a way through on the rafting stage on day 2. Rafting without a guide they paddled down Gunslinger, Earthquake Slip and the Lyell Rapids (all currently rated 3+), before passing under Iron Bridge to reach the take out point.

Even at it’s current low level the Buller is a powerful river, and with a 6500 sq. kilometre catchment area it can rise incredibly quickly. It’s been known to rise several metres in a few hours and river guides tell stories of floods carrying a Westport pub out to sea … with the lanterns still alight!

The river guide looking after the teams today was Martin Twaite, of Buller Adventure Tours. He is one of the most experienced raft guides on the Buller and gave the teams a careful briefing on keeping their boats straight going into the white water, and the safe (feet downstream) float position should they capsize.

“They will be fine with no guide,� he said, “they have a couple of kilometres to learn how to keep it straight before they reach the rapids.� Many of the teams also have considerable rafting experience and the safety staff reported no dramas. Teams just enjoyed the ride ... and the opportunity to get off their feet for an hour!

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