Adventure Magazine December 2019/January 2020

STU'S CREW ON
THE RIVER WILD
“He makes himself ridiculous
who is forever repeating the same
mistake” Horace
The quote came to mind as we rocked up to the
Rafting New Zealand headquarters in Turangi to sign in
for the 2019 edition of the River Wild Raft and Run race.
We’ve been participating in the event every year since
its conception in 2013 and every year we arrive in the
same slightly dishevelled state; usually a little hungover
from the night before with our bodies carrying numerous
injuries which are a sign of our age, not due to any sort
of overtraining. Actually, our bodies also tend to go into a
slight state of shock at the thought of rafting 16km and
running 8km as we mutter under our breaths, “maybe we
should have done some training.”
However, this is one of the things that makes this
event stand out from all others. It’s not about being the
fastest down the river, although we all secretly covet that
spot, and its not about being the fastest on the 8km run,
it’s simply about taking part with a group of friends or
colleagues and the sense of camaraderie it creates.
By Lynne Dickinson
Images compliments of Rafting New Zealand
Stu's Crew navigating our way through one of the 60+
28//WHERE ACTIONS rapids SPEAK on the LOUDER Tongariro THAN River, WORDS/#217
all smiles.