Huka Falls, New Zealand
Huka Falls, tourist attraction and Class V+ drop, is either a kayaker’s nightmare or their delight. The falls themselves are not technically difficult but with an average 160 cumecs tumbling through a 15m gap, they are a bit daunting. Huka Falls is the first major cataract on Waikato River, about 8 km downstream of its headwaters (Lake Taupo ). Flow is controlled by flood gates near Taupo township. Most kayaking is done in flows of 50-150 cumecs,, but anything over 130 cumecs is a bit gnarly. The tourist viewing platform and bridge are close to the top of the falls. So any kayaker venturing through nearly always has an audience.
