Day 1

As we left school at 9:30am and were on our way to camp we all seemed nervously excited and eager. Tents were pitched on our arrival at Mangaweka Domain campground. A few boys struggled with this as it was their first time pitching a tent. After eating our packed lunch, we walked across the old bridge to Awastone Riverside Haven where we met our guides - Jure, Cesar and Tini. They took us on a short orientation and familiarisation trip on the rafts and kayaks.  This left us feeling eager for the next three days.

After some more free time we walked back to Awastone for a lovely roast chicken dinner.  Mr Langley showed us how to start a fire without matches using embers from a previous fire in the fire pit. We were in our tents by 10:00pm. Not long after, some of us learnt why the flysheets should be kept closed, especially if lights are used after dark. The bugs were happy to share the tent with us and spoil our sleep.

Day 2

We started with a breakfast of Milo, toast and cereals at Awastone before helping the guides pack the vehicles for the start of our first actual day on the river. We had already sorted out our personal gear for the river and were given a large dry bag to share with a mate.

Mid–morning we left for River Valley, an hour North of Taihape, on a slow and winding road. We were very excited to get onto the river but were soon slowed by two Grade 3 rapids that we had to avoid by portaging the kayaks.  The guides safely took the three rafts over these, and Mr Sawyer used his experience to take his kayak over as well.

We had a very pleasant day rafting and kayaking after this with only Grade 1 and 2 rapids to worry about. Lunch was on the river with sandwiches, which we had made just after breakfast at Awastone. We arrived at our riverbank campsite after collecting firewood on the way. There was plenty of light left to unpack the rafts and set up camp, including the large fly and ground sheet which was a bedroom for the thirteen boys that night. Getting to bed after a dinner of nachos, fruit and custard was welcomed by all.

Day 3

A lazy start was followed by cereals, toast (made over the fire) and smoky Milo for breakfast. We had to breakup camp and load the rafts before setting off at about 10am. By now we were taking it in turns to paddle as a team on the rafts or by ourselves on the kayaks, with everyone growing in confidence.

We passed through the aptly named Grand Canyon of the Rangitikei and Shipside Canyon as we paddled for about six hours, with a short lunch of wraps made on the riverside. Unpacking the rafts and setting up camp was easier and took less time as we had a better idea of what to do. A lovely curry dinner was warmed over the fire which was also used to cook the unpeeled bananas filled with chocolate that we enjoyed for dessert.

Day 4

We were breakfasted, broke camp and packed up before 10am. Competition for the kayaks was strong as most of us now knew what we were doing. The first half of the day was good paddling with many rapids. We lunched at the entrance to a narrow canyon with an impressive waterfall. After this the river became gentler but as the sun was shining, we made the most of the weather to enjoy a slow paddle to Awastone, arriving at about 3:30pm.

We helped get the rafts unloaded and off the water before we were allowed to go back to the campground to pitch our tents. We then enjoyed a free, but short shower. Dinner of pizza and chips was early so we had lots of free time before making a fire and heading for bed after 10:30pm.

Day 5

We enjoyed a late start as it was raining softly, meaning we had to pack wet tents after the usual breakfast at Awastone. We then wandered down to the riverside at Awastone to greet boys from the other camps who were only doing a two-hour trip on rafts. We felt proud and that we had been on the better camp. Lunch was a pie and fizzy drink that we enjoyed before heading back to civilisation.

We would like to thank our guides and teachers, Mr Langley and Mr Sawyer for the opportunity.