Tubing the Manwatu Gorge

I’d originally planned a days Canyoning up near Owhango, but a last minute change in circumstances meant I needed to find another adventure to make the most of the wonderful weather forecast. During the day at work I decided that Kay and I should go and Tube the Kawhatau River. Seemed like an interesting round trip close to home, so I hunted round and scrounged up some tyre tubes from the PTI section and a PFD from Kay.

Arriving at the Kawhatau River, we took one look at it then turned around. The constantly dry weather had made its effect on the water levels all too pronounced. Barely a trickle remained. Kay suggested we could go try the Gorge. Seemed like a good idea at the time…

Shuttling ourselves through the Gorge, I was able to peer into the watery depths. To my surprise, there was actually something of a current and even a bit of an easterly wind to help us along the way. Normally muddy brown, the Manawatu was as clear today as I’ve ever seen it. The beautiful water was almost inviting.

Kay and I geared up just downstream of Balance Bridge in the scorching sun. Both tubers quickly raced to the water to put out the fires that threatened to erupt from their neoprene encased carcasses. Once in the cool water, we relaxed and floated sedately downstream.

There was the odd small rapid, even one that tipped me up and sent me swimming, but most of our time was spent gently drifting through the deep pools and canal like passages. Progressing downstream very slowly the trip was rather relaxing at first, but became a bit like hard work when we had to paddle furiously to overcome the westerly that had sprung up. At times we were being blown upstream; what had happened to that easterly we’d enjoyed at the start of the trip?

Passing Slippery Eel Canyon and the White Horse Rock climbs, the decision was made to bail on the trip. Climbing out was a little more exciting than I’d have expected. Slab climbing over loose vegetated choss. The vegetation wasn’t even strong enough to aid progression, but eventually we made it to the guard rail. Running down the road to the nearest pull away, Kay then stuck her thumb out.

Clad in Neoprene and looking a little hapless, it wasn’t long before someone took pity. Wayne was a real character and laughed his head off as we told him of our days activities. A delicious ice cream at Ashurst rounded off the trip nicely.