Left Auckland on Tuesday 3rd of January with friends of my brothers (Lara & Tim) and their two sons (Matt & Sam), heading for campsite close to company (Blazing Paddles) we were hiring the canoes off to do the 3 day trip down the Wanganui river.We got to Blazing Paddles by 8am as they advised and loaded all of our stuff for the 3 day trip into a total of 12 large barrels, 3 small barrels and 3 dry bags.It took about an hour in the van along really windy roads to get to where we put the canoes in the water.The driver tied all the barrels onto the canoes without really showing us how to do it, saying we would work it out, and to watch out for the big 3 rapids and he left.

We got into the canoes and started our trip.The strongest and heaviest had to go in the back to steer the canoe, so Dai went in the back and I was in the front.For the first day we zig zagged down the river from bank to bank, and actually hitting it 4 times, not including the large rock we also hit.

We made it to the first campsite around 2pm and had to drag the canoes out of the water and then carry all of the barrels up a steep banking to the campsite.By 7pm we were all so tired we just wanted to go to bed, we did manage to last until 8pm, then we all went in our tents to at least lie down, but I think we were all sleeping before 9pm.

The second day we were up, canoes loaded and on the water just after 9am, which was just as well as the maps we had been given estimated todays section to take 7 and a half hours.We again zig zagged down the river, arguing every now and again as Dai would not let me have a go steering at the back, but at least we didn't actually hit any banks or rocks today.When we finally got to the campsite there was no flat bank to land the canoes as the water was still high after heavy rain the week before.We had to just grab onto the bank, scramble out of the canoe and hold it by the rope at the front, while someone got the barrels out and carried them up the bank a bit to where there was a flat bit, then when the canoe was empty we had to drag the thing about 15 foot up the banking to where it was flattish.Again we were all in bed by 9pm, very tired and aching a bit more than the day before.

The third day was just a 4 and half hour paddle but included rapids that the map called the big 3 (it must have taken them ages to think of that), we were up early and on the water by 8:15am.We still zig zagged a bit but Dai did seem to be getting the hang of steering, although I still moaned about how it can't be that hard and he should give me a go.After a couple of hours we hit the first of the big 3, what a disappointment, it was barely a rapid at all.And the second was no bigger but at least it meant we would probably not fall out of the canoe as predicted by the guy who dropped us off with the canoes.After successfully navigating 2 of the big 3 rapids Dai finally agreed to my having a go at steering.I have to admit it was not as easy as I had thought and I did zig zag a bit, but not from bank to bank and I didn't hit anything, I did however send us backwards down the third of the rapids, which did get Dai a bit stressed.We finally made it to the end a short time afterwards with none of our group having fallen in.

We loaded the canoes and barrels onto the trailer and got onto the bus for the 90 minute drive back to our car, were we all just threw our stuff in the car, went back to the nearest campsite for a well needed shower, fish and chips and lots of lager.