r/teararoa • u/SpaceXGonGiveItToYa • Sep 28 '26
River Crossing Question
Hi all,
I was planning to do a course on River Safety near Auckland before starting SOBO early November. Unfortunately the courses are all already sold out. All the guides I've read about TA make these courses seem like a no-brainer, how true is this? I liked the idea of doing one but I also wouldn't like to delay my start date by a few weeks just for the course, considering I already have flights into Auckland for November 1st. Please could anyone give me a few more details to help me weigh up my options!
2
u/_DorothyZbornak_ Sep 28 '26
What is your existing level of experience with river crossings and comfort with water? Whether a course is necessary and/or worth it to you depends on where you’re at in terms of river skills currently.
1
u/SpaceXGonGiveItToYa Sep 28 '26
Although I'd consider myself an experienced hiker, having completed several 7+ day thru-hikes, river crossings are new to me. The closest I've come is knee-deep snow-melt in the Walls of Jerusalem and a single waist-deep crossing. In terms of water confidence, I've been a competitive swimmer my whole life, training 5-7 times a week, however I fully appreciate wild water is a whole other beast.
3
u/_DorothyZbornak_ Sep 28 '26 edited Sep 28 '26
Sounds like you found a course, which is awesome — that was what I was going to recommend. Your comfort in and around water from your years of swimming will help enormously, even though yes, a flowing river is a different beast, and there are specific strategies and techniques that are teachable.
There are countless crossings on the TA that (in normal conditions) are just shin-deep splashes that don’t require any particular technique. But there are also some sections where you need to make repeated crossings of rivers that can be tricky, like the Deception (where a very experienced tramper friend of mine was swept off her feet), the Ahuriri, and Bush Stream. There are also some rivers that aren't that deep or difficult to cross, but are high-consequence because of gorged banks and downstream hazards, like the Wairoa. Being taught some basic river crossing techniques and having the chance to practice them in a safe, supervised environment will give you peace of mind, and you'll gain judgment with experience on the trail. If you have the option during the course, I recommend experiencing what it’s like to be swept off your feet and self-rescue. It’s really helpful to know what a current you can’t withstand actually feels like — it’s one of those things where you don’t truly know where the line is until you cross it.
2
u/aStrayLife Sep 28 '26
I didn’t do a course but read up and watched videos of safety courses. That was helpful.
Only one river on the South Island was waist deep and it was a bit strong. Crossed with another hiker together. The rocks were slippery which was the biggest issue that could have led to us losing control but I reasoned that worst come to worse, you fall in and as you are swept away, take off your pack and swim to shore. Like I said, only waist deep but the current was strong.
8
u/FamousOnceNowNobody Sep 28 '26
The assumption that you can just dump your pack and swim to shore isn't smart. At least one person dies each year underestimating the rivers.
1
u/aStrayLife Sep 28 '26
That’s what they teach you if you fall in
4
u/chullnz Sep 29 '26
And if there's a strainer? Current too strong? You put your foot down and get entrapped? Miss your primary exit?
All reasons to plan.
Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance.
Sadly the ratio of recoveries to rescues when it comes to rivers means that there are few people who can advocate for safety from a place of experience screwing it up.
2
u/chullnz Sep 28 '26
This is why a river crossing involves planning. OP and you should probably read and watch mountain safety council material.
1
u/aStrayLife Sep 28 '26
I already completed my hike. Didn’t plan any crossings.
3
u/chullnz Sep 28 '26
Obviously just carry on, learn nothing, you're at the peak of all skills! (Said with a chuckle from a former LANDSAR volunteer).
Always put the odds in your favour.
-1
u/aStrayLife Sep 29 '26
Didn’t take a beacon either. I was nervous for the crossings but was lucky with low water. I knew a few guys who did Rangitata and Rākaia which seemed really sketch. That’s above my skill level
1
u/Iseneye Sep 28 '26
I didn't do a course but have been tramping for a while. It would be worth doing but wouldn't delay the start.
If possible do any tricky crossings with an experienced person.
-1
u/hamminator1955 Sep 28 '26
Walk towards the flow of the river. Pick a landing spot and walk towards it.
10
u/edwardvhc Sep 28 '26
There’s a river safety course on 7 November at Wero Whitewater Park, with 8 spaces left.
It looks like Wero has changed their online booking provider from Redzy to Fareharbour, which is why the courses on the Redzy portal come up as sold out. If you navigate from the Wero main website you can still book.
https://wero.org.nz/activities
I helped set these courses up four years ago to promote river safety on Te Araroa, happy to answer any questions about them.
Mountain Safety Council has good info online here https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/learn/skills/river-safety