River Valley Blog
Rivers - Veins and Arteries for the Land
Over the winter I have been lucky enough to get on a few different rivers. These included the Ngaruroro, the Whakapapa, the Rangitaiki, the Tongariro, and of course our local river, the Rangitikei.
All of these rivers are dam controlled in some fashion other than the Ngaruroro and the Rangitikei. The Ngaruroro is in danger of being dammed.
When you spend time on rivers you realise that they are not just a trench of water hurtling towards the sea. What they are in fact is the veins in a body, the body being the land. And like the veins and arteries in a body, they provide life and also get rid of any build up of poisons and toxic substances.
It makes you wonder whether dams are like blood clots in this flow. That long term they create permanent damage to the land.
Makes you wonder
Posted by Brian Megaw on 5th September, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: sustainable energy, rafting, White water rafting, New Zealand River Valley Lodge as a Retreat
Last week was a busy one for River Valley Lodge. Two business conference groups, and a great run of weather - at least up until Saturday when the heavens opened.
We have always had a few businesses using the Lodge facilities, accommodation and conference room, so it was especially pleasing to have two in one week.
Thank you Rabobank and Goodman Fielder.
The question has to be asked, why use River Valley Lodge? There is no cell phone recepetion, and we are well away from the bright lights.
I interviewed Tony Burgess from Rabobank in New Plymouth about the obstacles to using River Valley, and the benefits they found.
You can view the interview below.
Posted by Brian Megaw on 15th August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: business retreats, customer satisfaction, Taihape, River Valley Lodge, New Zealand Many Miles for Mary
If you are in the vicinity of River Valley Lodge on the evening of the 19th August, please make sure to call in.
That night we are hosting the team from Many Miles for Mary - a charity that is supporting Cancer Research and kids helplines amongst several other needy causes.
These guys are running from Auckland to Wellington raising money.
On the evening of the 19th, River Valley will be hosting them for dinner, where they will also talk about what they are doing.
River Valley will be donating 15% of the bar takings that night to the charity.
Join us for dinner and help these guys out.
See you there.
Posted by Brian Megaw on 7th August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: New Zealand, River Valley Lodge, cancer operation, helping charities Catarafting
About 10 years ago I bought my first cataraft - a short 11'6" jobbie. This was a steep learning curve, with regular back flips and general carnage, but at the same time a heck of alot of fun.
What I did notice though, was the number of ex river guides and even older kayakers who no longer felt either up to running harder sections of river, or alternatively did not really want to share a boat with anyone else. I realised that I felt pretty much the same as them.
While it would be far too soon to say that there is a catarafting boom happening, there are certainly a few more of them around.
In the video below, Ross and Andy, both of whom did some guiding for River Valley about 20 years ago, take possession of their new Incept catarafts, and take on the Grade 2 section of the Rangitikei River below River Valley Lodge. None of us will ever see 50 years again, going to show that there is still plenty of fun to be had on a river - and this in the middle of winter!
A fun day out.
Posted by Brian Megaw on 3rd August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: New Zealand, White water rafting, River Valley Lodge, Taihape, Rangitikei River, catarafting Overnight Rafting Trips on the Ngaruroro River in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
The Ngaruroro River is a pure free flowing wilderness river on the North Island of New Zealand For most of its length, it flows between the mountains of the Kaweka Ranges.
Traditionally the Ngaruroro has not been a major rafting river. There are several reasons for this, low summer flows and ease of access are the main ones.
We put our thinking caps on and throught, why not offer trips in October, November and December? The weather is mostly warm, and there is still plenty of water.
To this end we will be offering departures as a two day, one night trip, putting in at Kuripapango and finishing at Whana Whana in Hawkes Bay.
If you enjoy great wilderness scenery, riding rapids, sumptuous food, and comfortable riverside camping, then this trip could be for you.
Details will appear on this website during the next week.
In the meantime, enjoy this video of Brian, Liam and Tom on a scouting mission in July.
Posted by Brian Megaw on 1st August, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks | Permalink
Tags: New Zealand, White water rafting, River Valley Lodge, overnight rafting trips
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