Hidden within the depths of the Kaimanawa Forest Park within the coronary heart of New Zealand’s North Island is the 80-foot Tauranga-Taupo waterfall. First found and descended some 10 years in the past by Kiwi legend Brendon Bayley, it’s had a combined historical past for kayakers that’s included clear traces, damaged backs and near drownings. This December, rains primed the flow-dependent drop to the proper degree of 600 cubic toes per second, and two of New Zealand’s most-promising younger chargers returned after a scouting mission with one plan: to run the drop. The 16-year-old George Snook and Zack Mutton made the brutal two-hour hike with kayaks and checked the stream one final time earlier than dropping in. The falls are identified for his or her difficult entrance and hard lip, nonetheless, with the solar out on an excellent summer season’s day within the Southern Hemisphere, the timing labored completely. Everything aligned for the lads to get excellent traces down this stunning 80-foot waterfall.
—See the video of the drop under, plus extra of photographer-expedition paddler-Olympian Mike Dawson‘s personal paddling exploits.
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