The Poutu canal was shut due to maintenance so the Tongariro Access 10 section (below Waikato Falls) was flowing at natural flow - today 39.9 cumecs! (normally 16 cumecs). On hand to enjoy the extra water were Terry, Josh and Linton (Waikato CC), Joel from Wanganui, Craig, Aaron, Bruce, Nick, Mat, Melz, Irish Phil, "thin" Phil (all from Ruahine) plus Wellington paddlers Neil, Alan, Grant, Lucy, Rich and Paul T - a total of 18 paddlers, it was like a mini-release day!
Alan, Melz and Rich were guilty of being ever so slightly late and held up proceedings momentarily but after a quick shuttle (thanks Paul) we were all ready.
It was a typical awesome summer's Tongariro day - hot, sunny, blue skies, clear water. It did not take long to have our first swimmer of the day - Thin Phil got pushed over in the swirly aftermath of the first rapid and his roll failed. No probs - plenty of rescuers on hand. Phil ran the next rapid without any problems.
Further down Mat had a moment and an OBE and bloody thumb for his trouble. Craig mentioned it was worth a beer (for the rescuers). The extra flow created plenty of lines and some extra holes and awesome standing waves.
A hidden rock flipped Irish Phil and he was unable to right his boat - OBE. Neil and Alan also hit the same rock but were able to roll up.
Tyre rapid was pumping but not sticky at all. Thin Phil managed an OBE here.
Further down, Irish Phil tried to head butt a rock and was pinned upside down (sounds extremely serious). Paul T managed to release Irish Phil from his predicament but then Paul was marooned until Alan came along and shoved him off backwards. Irish Phil, as always, was philosophical as he emptied his boat for the 2nd time. I wish he'd break that horrible looking paddle though.
Soon it was time to do some flying with Air NZ looming up. Following Craig and Mat, Alan got a closeup view of the next carnage episode when Mat missed 3 rolls and bailed just above the main drop. The ensuing swim looked spectacular from behind vantage point but was not something to be repeated. Craig bravely hooked his minute boat onto Mat's and hauled it to shore just before the next rapid, well dome Craig. Meanwhile Mat managed to haul himself out onto the rocks and ponder what might have been if that roll had worked. As Mat got reunited with boat and gear, some of the team walked back up to the play wave.
Craig and Mat and several others then kept going ahead to ensure everyone kept warm.
Thin Phil provided the next entertainment by screaming down one of the wall rapids without turning. He ended up beached half way up the cliff then his stern got dragged around and an OBE followed in the mellee.
On one of the final wall rapids Alan went left (usual line) only to find himself confronting a reasonable sized hole which flipped him. A good roll (amazing what can happen when there is a wall looming up in front of you) followed with a few support strokes and all was well.
The final few km were "without incident" apart from losing count of fishermen.
Another great Tongariro paddle especially with the extra flow. Thank goodness for Maintenance! Remember the natural flow will be going until 23 December. What a Xmas present.
Thanks to everyone for a great day and to Mat, Irish Phil and Thin Phil (sorry about the name) for the extra entertainment. I think everyone enjoyed the paddle, how could you not.
AB
