We take pride in providing safe and fun adventure activities, with all of our products described on this website operated on Grade 2 (as described below) sections of the Rangitikei River* and we understand that for many of you this increased safety factor is the reason you have chosen one of these lower grade adventures. Awastone has been running this river for over 40 years with an excellent safety record.
We have a regular safety audit by Adventuremark to ensure we are operating according to New Zealand Adventure Activities Regulations. Awastone is a registered member of NZ Rivers Association for Professional Guides and all our guides are professionally qualified. A full safety briefing is given at the river before we begin our journey.
Before departing on any of our activities you will be asked to accept as read our disclosure of risk and in turn disclose to us any medical or dietary conditions that may affect your safe participation of our trip. While your comfort and safety is a priority for our guiding team there remains risk inherent with river based activity including immersion, drowning, exertion, rockfall and exposure to the elements (heat and cold) and these are amplified by the outdoor environment being less accessible to medical services.
By booking with us you have taken steps to minimise these risks by:
Using professional guides trained in Boat Handling, First Aid and River Rescue Choosing a lower grade and therefore a lower exposure to river based hazards.
The following are examples of what are far better managed with prior disclosure:
previous shoulder dislocation
asthma
diabetes
allergies
heart condition
recent surgery
pregnancy
celiac
lactose intolerance
Awastone reserves the right to withdraw any person who, in their opinion, is likely to endanger themselves or others. This exclusion includes the overuse of alcohol and/or recreational drugs. Awastone reserves the right to cancel, modify, or curtail any trip if my safety or that of any other person becomes a concern. Awastone liability for loss or damage to my property, disruption to travel plans, or mental injury is excluded. This exclusion is subject to any rights or remedies a customer has under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or any other New Zealand law.
By accepting this waiver, I confirm that I am of the Age of Majority and that I have read and understood this Agreement and agree that this Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors. If under 18 years, the parent or legal guardian must accept this Risk Disclosure..
Awastone may take photographic images, audio or video recordings of me undertaking the activity, and they may be used for social media, marketing or promotional use. You are free to discuss with our river staff before signing if any of these points need clarification.
River Grades & Hazards
River Grades
Grade 1 Rapids are small regular waves. The passage is clear and easy to recognise and negotiate. Care may be needed with obstacles like fallen trees and bridge piers.
Grade 2 Rapids have regular medium sized waves (less than 1 metre), low ledges or drops, easy eddies and gradual bends. The passage is easy to recognise and is generally unobstructed although there may be rocks in the main current, overhanging branches or log jams.
Grade 3 Rapids with fairly high waves (1-2 metres), broken water, stoppers and strong eddies, exposed rocks and small falls. The passage may be difficult to recognise from the river and manoeuvring to negotiate the rapid is required.
Grade 4/5 Difficult rapids with high, powerful, irregular waves, broken water, often boiling eddies, strong stoppers, ledges, drops and dangerous exposed rocks. The passage is often difficult to recognise and precise and sequential manoeuvring is required.’
Hazards
River Hazards Rivers are dynamic environments with hidden risks in their natural state and have many obstacles and severe hazards that may not have been identified before, examined and identified.
Weather Weather conditions may be extreme and change rapidly without warning.
Vehicle Additional risks are posed by road travel.
Conduct of the Guide The behaviour of the Guide and the Guiding Staff and the conduct of other rafters.
Rock Fall Some of our trips are run through deep canyons that carry a risk of rockfall, While guides are trained to avoid known rockfall zones the risk can never be completely eliminated, particularly should an earthquake occur.
Awastone reserves the right to withdraw any person who, in their opinion, is likely to endanger themselves or others. This exclusion includes the overuse of alcohol and/or recreational drugs. Awastone reserves the right to cancel, modify, or curtail any trip if my safety or that of any other person becomes a concern.
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