kayaks, thinking what the athletes were attempting was a tourist activity. say to them, ‘Don’t do it.’” Lake Taupō Harbourmaster Jamie Grant said while kayaking over Huka Falls was not illegal, it was “strongly discouraged due to the significant risks involved.” “The falls present extreme challenges even for experienced kayakers,” Grant said.“Rescue operations are near impossible, putting additional lives at risk, and in some cases may be a recovery operation as opposed to a rescue.” Hill said usually the water flowed over Huka Falls at about 270 or 280 cubic meters per second.“It’s just too much water,” Hill saidHill said when he accompanied athletes to Huka Falls, onlookers had asked him where to rent kayaks, thinking what the athletes were attempting was a tourist activity.Lake Taupō Harbourmaster Jamie Grant said while kayaking over Huka Falls was not illegal, it was “strongly discouraged due to the significant risks involved.” The falls present extreme challenges even for experienced kayakers,” Grant said.Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board posted on Facebook recently to address “a concerning trend” on social media.Visitors to the attraction this week were able to watch as professional kayakers paddled the whitewater over the falls. Extreme freestyle kayaking world champion Zack Mutton said going over Huka Falls was always “a pretty fun ride.” That’s high praise from the Rotorua-raised athlete, who has kayaked over falls in Norway and Iceland and plans to tackle some 30m waterfalls in the United States’ Pacific Northwest next month.Mutton said paddling over the Huka, an 11m waterfall, was unique for a couple of reasons.“Normally we’re out in the wilderness and far away from people,” Mutton told the
