Top to bottom
Gauges and sections in the order the water reaches them. Flows are live from flowrate.co.nz.
Source · Tararua Range
Gauge
Kaitoke
Measured at the Kaitoke weir, above everything you'd paddle. This is the first read on what's coming down out of the Tararua Range.
SectionGrade 2
Weir to Flume Bridge
The gentler stretch inside Kaitoke Regional Park, from the parking area below the weir to the steps before the flume bridge. A good place to build skills, and home of the festival's Grade 2 race.
SectionGrade 3
Kaitoke Gorge
The classic Hutt run. Boulder-garden rapids in a steep gorge lined with native bush. Paddle it with someone who knows the lines, and check the flows first.
Gauge
Birchville
Below the gorge, where the river reaches Upper Hutt.
Gauge
Taitā Gorge
Lower down the valley, on the way to the sea.
Mouth · Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour
Kaitoke Regional Park
The Hutt River Whitewater Festival
A weekend when Wellington's paddling clubs take over Kaitoke Regional Park for racing, social runs down the gorge, packraft skills sessions, a barbecue, and camping by the river.
At the centre of it is the Hutt Gorge Race, a team race for crews of three that has been running for more than half a century. Grade 2 and individual gorge races make up the rest of the programme, and kayaks and packrafts are both welcome.
When's the next one?
The host clubs set the dates. Check with them for the next race day.
Brought to you by
- Hutt Valley Canoe Club
- Victoria University Canoe Club
- Tararua Packrafters
- Paddle Power
- Wellington Rafting Company