Why Raft the Rangitikei River Rather Than ………….?
Why Raft the Rangitikei River Rather Than ………….? Over the years, I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked, “What is the best river to raft?” Whatever the best means. Is it scenery, or excitement, or remoteness? Or is it the most popular? Sometimes, these questions seek an answer on [...]
Are The Goal Posts Moving Again?
Are The Goal Posts Moving Again? Operating a business such as River Valley is one in which the goalposts are constantly moving. This is certainly true of the last four years. Two years of COVID, Cyclones, A summer without a summer, A Cost of Living Crisis, and a giant slip into the Rangitikei River on [...]
Do You Like an Exploratory Bike Ride?
Do You Like an Exploratory Bike Ride? Over the years of being a river guide, I have always felt excitement and anticipation when on a new river. It did not matter too much whether that was on an easier graded river or something more challenging. What lay around the next corner? How difficult were any [...]
Seasonal Outlooks
Seasonal Outlooks Over the years, I have listened to so many seasonal forecasts. I distinctly remember attending a concessionaires meeting in Spring 2022 and being told that the outlook was for drought the coming summer and that we should gear up on that assumption. Of course, what did eventuate? The wettest summer in living memory. [...]
Can Tourism Help Small Communities?
Can Tourism Help Small Communities? Here are a few thoughts and observations regarding the effects of tourism on small communities after having just ridden the Alps to Ocean Cycleway. The Alps to Ocean Cycleway is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides. It starts at either Aoraki/Mt. Cook or at Tekapo. Over the following days of [...]
