Tanked up and ready to ride

By STEVE HART

I don't know how fast we were going but if this boat had wings we would have been airborne. In fact, I wasn't entirely convinced the vessel was touching the water all the time we sped along the Kaituna River.

Our skipper was Elton Wells - a veteran of more than 50 hours of jet boating at Longridge Park in the Bay of Plenty - and he clearly enjoyed every moment of our 40-minute (mostly) white-knuckle ride.

He had perfect control as he weaved along the river, skimmed the surface and periodically spun the boat a full 360 degrees after giving the tell-tale spinning finger signal (at first I thought he wanted me to get off the boat ... ).

Seconds after the signal he turned the steering wheel hard and twisted the jetboat on a dime - causing us all to grip the metal handrails in front of us with all our might. Just before the boat came to a standstill the engine revved up again and pulled away, leaving our laughter and smiles in its wake. I felt perfectly safe, but was glad of the obligatory life jacket.

Calling the boat fast is like saying it's a long walk to the top of the Sky Tower - such was the force of the wind on my face that I felt my eyebrows being pushed round to the back of my head.

As we passed under Maungarangi Rd bridge two teenagers leaped from its railings into the swell below - they must have dropped 20m before splashing safely into the water (they had obviously done this before).

The blood drained from my face as I watched the scenery smudge past at 70km/h or more. Behind us a 5-litre engine delivering 310hp thrust us forward for more than 12km until we stopped shy of a rocky waterfall - just 10 minutes after our ride began the first half of our journey ended.

But it's not all fast and furious. Elton gave us a rest from the hair-thinning excitement on the way back and let the engine tick over as we calmly motored back down the river for a few kilometres.

He pointed out birds' nests built into the side of the ravine and explained that during winter the water level rises up to 3 or 4 metres above our heads.

"In summer the level goes right down, but this boat can travel in less than six inches of water," said Elton.

Then he spent time pointing out different plants, told us some of the history of the area, and said that while trees and branches do occasionally fall into the river, the force of the current always pushes them well out of harm's way.

The engine was switched off for a moment, leaving just the silence to pierce the air and the current to carry us forward in the middle of the river. But with no power, there's no steering, so after the blink of an eye, it was back to business. The ignition key was turned, a raft of ducks took flight at the noise, and we roared off - the G force pushing us all firmly against the boat's plastic bench seats.

I had only one thought as we sped back to the dock ... watch that finger.

Case notes:

Longridge Park is at Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty, 10 minutes by car from Maketu.

A 30- to 40-minute jetboat ride costs $59 adults and $35 children (under 14).

The venue also has a cafe, children's petting farm and kiwifruit and farm tours (tours cost $12 adults and $6 children).

Ph (07) 533 1515. Email info@longridgepark.co.nz

Jetboating

There are almost 70 registered jetboat operators in New Zealand. Here is a random selection in no particular order:

* Remote Adventures near Waitotara (off SH3) offers the Thrill Seeker ride for $40 a person with the journey lasting 45 minutes. Cheaper and more expensive rides are available. Ph (06) 346 5747.

* Rapids Jet offers jetboating on the Fuljames Rapids in Taupo. Cost is $65 (adults), $35 (children). When a family of four books the second child rides free. Booking is essential.

Find it at the Aratiatia recreation reserve, on the banks of the Waikato River, off Aratiatia Rd, 10 minutes from Taupo on SH 1 and 5. Ph: 07 378 5828.

* Adventure Jet in Martinborough, Wairarapa (about 20 minutes from Palmerston North). It offers two rides - Manawatu Gorge, $55 (adult), $35 (child) or at Martinborough, $50 (adult), $30 (child). Each ride time is about 30 minutes. Bookings essential, ph (06) 377 2114.

* Twin Rivers Jet in Queenstown, a pioneer in jetboating rides in New Zealand, offers a one-hour ride for $65 (adults) and $35 (children), under-5s ride free. Find it at Frankton Marina. Ph (03) 442 3257.

* Rakaia Gorge Scenic Jet is at Mount Hutt Lodge, RD 12, Rakaia (about 90 minutes from Christchurch). Rides cost between $10 and $45 depending on the type of trip available (staff will confirm when you book). Ph 03 318 6515.

* Motu River Jet Boat Tours is in Opotiki, Bay of Plenty, and operates on the Motu River. Rides last between two and 2 1/2 hours and cost $85 (adult) and $50 for children aged 15 and under. Ph (07) 315 8107.

* Be sure to ask if the operator performs the 360 degree spin if that's what you are expecting.

* Steve Hart was a guest of Longridge Park.

www.funpark.co.nz