We have invested in some new toys. We now have pack rafts which should allow us to cruise back down the rivers on trips and give us a bit more versatility as well.
After a quick test one Sunday afternoon in the Avon / Heathcote Estuary (bravely ignoring the signs giving dire warning of polluted water which have been in place ever since the earthquake) we were ready for something a bit bigger and headed up to the Nina Valley for our first trip.
A three hour walk along the true left of the Nina (which is incidentally a much more scenic route than the new and now eroded track on the otherside) we reached the old Nina Hut site and after a quick lunch break we launched at the confluence of the Nina and Duchess Stream. It took about 20 minutes to go from Tramping to Rafting including inflating the rafts.
We rafted for about an hour and a half in total, certainly quicker than walking and absolutely fantastic fun.
It was a very quick learning curve and this first rip taught us a lot. We probably need to get spray decks for the rafts, certainly need to get helmets (collisions with rocks seem sometimes unavoidable!) and at the very least the packs (rucksacks) need to be stored in a waterproof fashion and water quickly gets everywhere. Even on a warm day you get cold very quickly as you are getting splashed all the time and end of sitting in a puddle of cold water. Might take the waterproof gloves next time.
We beached just before the new Nina swing bridge, having had a good trip. A few minutes of steady walking saw the warmth return to our bones as well and we headed out back on the Nina Track.
It is always fun to take your kids out for fun. One such adventurous trip can be going out for a rafting with your kids. A proper planning is required when you are opting for rafting.
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