Frequently Asked Questions - Shotover & Kawarau Rivers
FAQ's related to rafting on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers.
- Do you pick up from my accommodation?
- What do I need to bring?
- What is the difference between the Shotover River and the Kawarau River?
- Do I have to be able to swim?
- What shoes should I wear?
- I see you raft in the winter as well, will I be cold?
- Can I bring my camera?
- Can I wear sunglasses/ prescription glasses or contact lenses?
- How many people in a raft?
- How long is the raft trip?
- When is the New Zealand Winter?
- How far is the rafting from town?
- Do you raft the same river as the jetboats?
- What is the minimum/ maximum age?
- Is there a minimum / maximum weight limit?
- What is the possibility of falling out the boat?
- Are there seatbelts in the raft?
- Can I wear my jeans under the wetsuit?
- Will I get wet?
- Do I need to book this trip in advance?
- What is the maximum number of people on a trip?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Can I go if I have a medical condition?
- Can I raft if I am pregnant?
- What happens if it is raining?
- Do I need to tip my guide?
- Can my friends or family watch while I go rafting?
- Are there toilets?
- Is there a guide in the raft with us?
1. Do you pick up from my accommodation?
We can pick up from your accommodation; however this is only for the morning departure at 8.15am. Afternoon departures must check in at our shop at 35 Shotover Street at 1.15pm.
You are returned to the shop where the photos from the trip can be viewed and purchased.
2. What do I need to bring?
You will need a swimsuit and a towel. There are showers and a sauna after the trip. Anything valuable should be left behind at your accommodation or there are secure lockers at the shop in town.
3. What is the difference between the Shotover River and the Kawarau River?
As well as the scenery, there are a few differences between the rivers such as the grade of rapids, the amount of rapids rafted on the river and the swimming ability needed by participants.
Shotover River - Is graded 3-5 therefore is more exciting to raft and harder to navigate with a higher risk of falling out the boat. It has more rapids on the river, compared to the Kawarau including a section through the 170m Oxenbridge tunnel. It is a requirement that participants be able to swim on this river.
The road to the Shotover River is via Skippers Canyon which is also an experience in itself, as the narrow dirt track road hugs the sheer cliff face of the canyon.
Kawarau River - Is usually graded 2-3 (however occasionally grade 2-4 at higher water levels), therefore easier to navigate with less risk of falling out. There are flat stretches of river between the rapids so watch out for the other rafts as there is always a chance of a water fight. There is an opportunity to race your friends on the other rafts or jump out and swim in the flat water between the rapids. The Kawarau River is a much deeper and bigger river and flows through the some spectacular central ogago vineyards and the trip ends with a 400 meter long, grade 3 rapid.
4. Do I have to be able to swim?
Kawarau River - Suitable for less confident swimmers on this trip as this is a lower grade river with less opportunity to fall out of the raft. You are given a floatation jacket (life jacket) and the wetsuits also aid as a buoyancy aid but you will still need to be able to help the guide and move towards the raft (or safety kayaker in high water levels). So water confidence although not essential is recommended.
Shotover River - You must be ‘water confident’ and be able to swim on this trip.
One way to describe ‘water confident’ is imagine swimming in the sea with medium waves round you where you can’t stand up and being tossed around a bit. If you feel comfortable with this then you should be ok.
5. What shoes should I wear?
We provide wetsuit booties so you can wear your normal shoes to get to the rafting base.
6. I see you raft in the winter as well, will I be cold?
The temperature of the water can vary on the time of year and the water level, however you will be provided with waterproof booties, a full length 5mm wetsuit as well as a 5mm jacket, spray-jacket and life jacket. These should keep you adequately warm and the ‘paddling action’ certainly keeps that blood flowing too. We have additional neoprene socks and gloves for the winter rafting.
7. Can I bring my camera?
We recommend that cameras are left behind at the hotel as we cannot guarantee their safety against damage even if waterproof. However if you would still like to take a camera on the rafting trip, we recommend the cheap disposable waterproof cameras which we also have for sale.
Otherwise there is professional photography available for purchase upon completion of your trip.
8. Can I wear sunglasses/ prescription glasses or contact lenses?
Yes you can, however we do recommend a sports strap or tie for glasses. Once again remember we can’t guarantee the safety of your glasses so if you can do without them then do.
9. How many people in a raft?
The rafts are large enough to carry six or seven people plus your rafting guide. If you’re travelling with friends or in a group, we can generally organise it so that you are together in the same raft.
10. How long is the raft trip?
The duration of the trip varies dependant on the river speed, the water level and time of year. Generally the Shotover River trip can be between 1½ to 2½ hours on the water and the Kawarau River is between 1 hour and 1½ hours on the water. When we’re Heli-rafting on the Shotover River in the winter, this time tends to be reduced to an hour on the river due to cold weather restrictions.
11. When is the New Zealand Winter?
New Zealand is exactly the opposite to the northern hemisphere (UK, USA etc) and winter is between June and early September.
12. How far is the rafting from town?
The Cavells Rafting base is on the banks of the Shotover River approximately 10 minutes drive from town. At Cavells after being fitted out with your wetsuit, you will be taken to the river you’ve chosen to raft.
Shotover River - The drive into the start point on the river via Skippers Canyon takes about 40 minutes – and then you raft back to the base.
Kawarau River - The drive to the start point on the river via Arrowtown takes about 25 minutes and the return trip from Gibbston Valley takes about 30 minutes.
13. Do you raft the same river as the jetboats?
Skippers Canyon Jetboat operate on the top part of the Shotover River.
Queenstown Rafting paddle the next section which is where the rapids are. Shotover Jet operates on the section after the Oxenbridge tunnel and the Kawarau Jet operates on Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River and the lower Shotover River.
You will see different scenery as no jetboat or rafting is on the same stretch of river, except a 500m stretch after the Oxenbridge tunnel as you float to the rafting base.
14. What is the minimum/ maximum age?
The minimum age for rafting is 13 years, with a minimum weight of 40kg. There is no maximum age for rafting as long as you are active and able to swim.
Ultimately it will be at the discretion of the trip leader and guides as to who is appropriate to participate in the rafting trip.
15. Is there a minimum / maximum weight limit?
The minimum weight allowed is 40 kg. There is no maximum weight limit, however the person must be able to fit our gear and safety equipment. We do have a number of extra large wetsuits but ask that you are physically fit and able to swim.
16. What is the possibility of falling out the boat?
That often depends on the river levels but there is always a chance that participant’s may fall out of the raft. The guides are trained to deal with this and every Shotover River trip (and Kawarau in high water levels) has a safety kayaker. There is a full safety briefing before you commence your rafting trip explaining what to do.
17. Are there seatbelts in the raft?
No but you will be instructed by your guide how to brace yourself in the raft to minimize the chance of falling out.
18. Can I wear my jeans under the wetsuit?
No. We recommend you only wear swim wear as wetsuits work best when they are close to your skin. Any clothing such as cotton t-shirts or jeans under the wetsuit prevent it from working effectively.
19. Will I get wet?
Yes - but you will be in a wetsuit. White water rafting is a great activity for rainy days as you are going to be wet anyway!
20. Do I need to book this trip in advance?
Yes - as during peak seasons, space can be limited. This is also true for mid winter and school holidays.
21. What is the maximum number of people on a trip?
This can depend on the amount of guides working on a particular day but with prior notice, we can carry groups up to 200 people on any one trip.
22. What is your cancellation policy?
We require 24 hours notice for cancellation to get a full refund, after that a portion of the cost is retained.
23. Can I go if I have a medical condition?
Some medical conditions may prohibit you from whitewater rafting but most will not. It is very important however that if you do have a medical condition that you let staff know prior to rafting. If you require medication for your condition (eg. ashma inhalers), you will need to bring that with you incase it is needed.
24. Can I raft if I am pregnant?
No. Company policy is that we don’t allow anyone who is pregnant on grade 3 or above rivers. There is a risk that a pregnant person could sustain a blow to the abdomen either through falling out the raft, from a paddle from another client or someone falling against them.
25. What happens if it is raining?
Whitewater rafting will still go ahead if it is raining, you are going to get wet anyway and the river is normally at its’ best then. We will not refund if you decide to cancel at short notice due to rain or bad weather.
26. Do I need to tip my guide?
Tipping is not normally expected in New Zealand, however if you feel you would like to show your appreciation that is totally at your discretion.
27. Can my friends or family watch while I go rafting?
Due to the nature of the terrain, and that the river is far below, it is not possible to view the rafting, however there is an opportunity to stand by the last rapid on the Shotover River as they come through. Timings can depend on river levels so you may need to wait a while to ensure you friends or family don’t miss you.
28. Are there toilets?
There are toilets at the Cavells rafting base and at Deep Creek where the rafts are put in the Shotover River.
29. Is there a guide in the raft with us?
Yes every boat has a qualified and certified rafting guide in it.
