Safety

Ian Fox, Deputy Harbourmaster for ECan, has issued a river hazard warning:

The Environment Canterbury Harbourmaster’s Office has received today a report that on Sunday 23 July 2017 a jet boat sank in Maori Gully, Hurunui River.

Kayakers' habitat is New Zealand's freshwater rivers; these rivers are increasingly under threat due to deteriorating water quality. In endorsing the Freshwater Rescue Plan, Whitewater NZ s numerous other organisations including Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand Inc., New Zealand Recreation Association, Fish & Game New Zealand, Forest & Bird, Public Health Association, and the Tourism Export Council.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck North Canterbury in the early morning of Monday 14 November has caused some dramatic changes to our landscapes.

Tasman District Council have granted Hancock Forest Management a temporary closure of the Motueka River in a ~5km section of the Motueka River from near the Northern end of Aratapu Road to McLeans Reserve (between 172°47.380 / -41°17.633 and 172°48.564 / -

(Updated) Timberlands Forestry have advised that they will be tree felling next to the Rangitaiki River approximately 400m downstream of the power station and as such are restricting public access to the river from 7am till 4pm during work days (Monday to Friday). There will be a security guard present at the power station enforcing this closure. This will not affect weekend or after hours access. For more information, contact Jody Thompson .

Pirongia kayaker Sean Curtis, 20, drowned on Wednesday 2 March after getting into difficulties on the Collier's Gorge section of the Whitcombe River. He was submerged for 20 minutes and was unconscious when recovered. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Gordon Rayner of Central Otago Whitewater reports that around 100 kayakers and rafters attend the protest paddle, meeting at the Dogleg put-in with the Kawarau River running at 180 cumecs. "Do Little and Dogleg rapids were going off," Gordon said.

Last week Matt Bennett made a submission on behalf of Whitewater NZ to the Coroner's inquest into the death of Louise Jull on the Kaituna River. John Snook also made an independent submission. In doing so they became party to all other submissions (currently confidential). Whitewater NZ has sought professional legal counsel to aid in our submission.

Talented kayaker Louise Jull went missing from her kayak during a descent of the Kaituna river on Wednesday evening. Her body was found the following morning by raft-based searchers.