Surviving on Rapids & Ramen: A Month-Long Kayaking Journey in New Zealand
8-minute read
Aqua Bound Ambassador Trey Harrell has been passionate about whitewater kayaking since childhood. Now in college in Montana, he balances school with exploring the region’s rivers and sharing his love for paddling through instruction. Trey’s partnership with Aqua Bound began after testing one of their paddles on a river trip—its control and adjustability made an immediate impression, and now it's a key part of his gear. Recently, he embarked on an unforgettable paddling adventure in New Zealand and is sharing his story with us.
Dropping Maruia Falls (Photo courtesy of Trey Harrell)
Balancing College and Kayaking: Making Every Break Count
Balancing college life and kayaking means making the most of every break. So when the chance to paddle in New Zealand for a month came up, I jumped at it—no hesitation. Having just begun my partnership with Aqua Bound, I was excited to push myself and my paddle to the absolute limits with an awesome crew.
A Rocky Start: Lost Boats and Airport Hassles
Our trip started with a headache—three of our six boats vanished in transit, and the airport had no clue where they were. While half our crew rushed to the South Island, the rest of us spent four days making calls, visiting the airport, and waiting. Finally, we tracked them down and got back on course.
South Island: World-class Water
Reunited with our boats and our crew, we were ready to hit the river. As a young team, we found ourselves searching for free camping every night and surviving off oatmeal and ramen. We spent the whole trip sore, tired, and wet, but the whitewater made everything worth it. The South Island provided world-class big water as well as some boutique creeking, giving us a little bit of everything. One of the highlights was paddling high-water Nevis Bluff (260 cms), some of the biggest water I’ve ever been on, with a tight must-make move to avoid getting stuck in one of the biggest holes I’ve ever seen.
Kawarua River Big Water (Photo courtesy of Jack Grim)
A Helicopter Ride to the Whitcombe River
One of the most unique experiences of the South Island was taking a helicopter to paddle the Whitcombe River. With the amount of hiking required to reach many of the rivers on the West Coast, we were exhausted. So getting my first-ever helicopter ride to access a beautiful stretch of whitewater was amazing.
Whitcombe River (Photo courtesy of Jack Grim)
North Island Adventures: The Kaituna and Huka Falls
Exhausted but stoked from the South Island’s big water, we headed north to Rotorua, eager to see what The Kaituna had in store. The Kaituna is awesome, but what stood out was how welcoming the paddling community was. Everyone was willing to take a lap with us and even let us borrow boats if needed. We found a great crew to paddle with for the rest of the week. My favorite part of the North Island? Getting tons of laps on Huka Falls. Definitely one of the most fun rapids I’ve ever paddled.
Whitcombe River Camraderie (Photo courtesy of Jack Grim)
Putting My Gear to the Test: AquaBound Aerial Major
With all the hiking required, I was grateful for my Aerial Major Carbon 2-Piece. Being able to break it down made the long portages easier, and the quick adjustability of the Versa-Lok was a game changer on long flatwater stretches. This trip, I switched to a straight shaft and immediately felt the difference—more power with every stroke. Plus, having a hand free while hiking saved time on technical portages, and I’m excited to keep using this paddle now that my trip is over.
Why Every Paddler Needs to Experience New Zealand
Whether you're into ocean paddling, big whitewater, or hiking deep into the mountains for a hidden gem, New Zealand has it all. If you get the chance—go.
Tutea Falls, Kaituna River (Photo courtesy of Jack Grim)
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