March 28th 2017: Into the wild

Usually when I embark on an adventure its with another writer or media friends, but tomorrow I'll be heading into the wild with my entire family. Yep, my wife, three kids and even Remi, the wonder dog, are off on the adventure of a lifetime as we escape the daily grind and take on the stunning Waiau-toa or Clarence River (that emerald blue serpentine above is our home for the week).

According to Ben Judge, the Waiau-toa expert at Clarence River Rafting, we'll take approximately seven days to reach the Pacific Ocean from our put-in spot just over the range from Hanmer. That's more than 160km of Grade 2 whitewater with some challenging rapids thrown in; like the onimously named Jawbreaker, The Chute and a bunch of new, constantly changing rapids that have emerged courtesy of Kaikoura's 7.8 earthquake back in November.

Daylight hours will be spent guiding the rafts from one camp spot to the next, where we will set-up a trifecta of the latest The North Face tents to keep us sheltered as we recharge for the day ahead. If we're not dining on freshly caught salmon or trout, we'll be refueling with Back Country Cuisine and Central Otago pinots. Okay, that will probably be most of the time given my track record with fishing. Our only connection with the outside world will be the wispy vapour trails of the cruising Boeings high in the sky overhead.

It's the kind of adventure I dreamed about as a kid and still do today: that unquenchable curiosity at what may lie around the next twist or turn as the river forces its path through the tortured geography of the valley floor. The thrill of the unknown. The adrenaline of giving yourself over to nature's whims and the moments of unscripted beauty that take it all to that next level. And alongside me, in some kind of Captain Fantastic moment, will be the ones I most want to experience one of the greatest treasures on planet earth: nature in its rawest, least manipulated or controlled form. A bit like a seven-day surf session. 

See you in the wild ... Derek

PS The Aotearoa Surf Film Festival comes to Dunedin on Thursday, April 6 at the Kings & Queens Performing Arts Centre. Make sure you have it in your calendar. More info here.