Dories to enhance tours

A dory similar to the one which will be tried on the Whanganui River this summer. RIVER-DORY

There won't be muddy, exhausted paddlers crouching around campfires in a new visitor experience being planned for the Whanganui River.

Rangitikei adventure tourism business River Valley wants to trial a Whanganui River trip this summer - in dories rowed by guides.

It's an idea 18 months in the planning, River Valley managing director Brian Megaw said. He's rowed dories on the Salmon River in Idaho in the United States, and says they can handle some white water.

The boats are typically flat bottomed and almost double-ended, with the rower facing forward.

US boatbuilders Andy Hutchinson and Brad Dimock arrive in New Zealand toward the end of this month, to build two boats for Mr Megaw to try on the Whanganui River this summer.

They'll be made of marine ply and similar to the waka Maori used to use on the river. Whanganui River iwi will be offered the chance to name them and the builders' progress will be recorded in a blog.

Mr Megaw has been working toward getting a concession to operate tourist trips on the river, by talking to Whanganui iwi and the Department of Conservation. The two or three trips this summer will be to fine tune for possible tourist operation.

The proposed tour package will have more charm, romance and history than a self-guided paddle, Mr Megaw said.

Each of the boats would be rowed by a guide and hold three or four paying customers, and gear.

They would move as fast as Canadians, stay overnight at less-frequented campsites and guests would eat gourmet meals sitting on folding chairs. More info is available on the Whanganui River Dories Facebook page.