0274982958
RED WHITEWATER RAFTS
WHAT WE DO
AT RED we supply a select range whitewater rafts and marine inflatables direct from the Factory to you.
We have a small well trained team that can help you around the country.
All our products are tried and proven, designed right here in NZ.
Before you buy a raft look what RED has to offer:
Designed in NZ by experienced river runners
Commercial grade material and construction
Proven tough Tested rating D rings to 500kg plus
Elliptical removable thwarts
Self bailing with I beam floor (NOT cheap drop stitch floor, which is NOT ideal for NZ rivers)
Includes pump, repair kit , gear bag, fully roped up with 10mm braid, foot cups and spare valves
See what a client has to say:
Hi Gareth. Mike H. I bought a 425 square back from you a couple of years ago. Done a lot of km with her including a number of multidays down the Clarence and Upper Grey. Just wanted to let you know that she is the most airtight boat I’ve had in 40 years of rafting. Handles well with a heavy load. Great value for $.
See http://www.wellingtonrafting.co.nz for boats in action
Seeing as RED doesn't stretch to shops and the like we try and answer most of your questions on this site.
WHITEWATER RAFTS
Raft sizes 320, 390, 420,405 & 425 squarebacks, and 430 symmetrical.
All rafts are river ready, roped up with bow foot cups and a small repair kit.
Paddles , pumps and paddlers not included , but we can help you with that.
PIC: Wellington Rafting
WHY RED?
TOP EQUIPMENT FROM THE FACTORY TO YOU
Its about getting the right equipment at the right price.
And who in their right mind doesn't want that?
Nowadays we have a bunch of options when it comes to buying equipment for the outdoors, whether it be retail, wholesale, E commerce site or from some dodgy international website you're not sure of.
Okay. Stop worrying. We've been there, done that for you.
Ever since RED started we had one goal in mind: making sure the product you order is right and that fits your budget.
We have done all the hard work and have established relationships with selected manufacturers overseas.
We provide the peace of mind that your product has been tested and trialled right here in NZ.
RED WHITEWATER RAFTS
Designed in NZ for NZ
A SELECTION OF RAFTS FOR NZ RIVERS
Any colour you like so long as it's RED. . New Zealand is a tough place for rafts. From low volume technical streams to the punchy hydraulics of the lower South Island, there's one thing in common. The boats have to be well designed
and tough .
We have invested time and effort to ensure the RED boat you buy meets your needs.
RIBS
Tough, UV stable, well designed. What more can we say?
that they look smart too?
Why not?
A BIT ABOUT US
We've be around a while and are keen to see you make the right decision for the boat you think you want and make sure it fits the rivers you're going to be doing.
RED rafts are designed for New Zealand conditions by New Zealanders. Local experience is the thing that makes RED different from a number of other boats on the water.
RED WHITEWATER RAFTS
Best Products, Competitive Prices
RED 330
Get me to a headwaters river now!
great for 3 paddlers or 2 paddlers with gear. Gets you to where the big fish lie and the deer are unsuspecting...
RED 390
A 3.9 metre raft suited for headwater rivers or full on whitewater fun.
Rec. 4 pax and gear or 6 all up
RED 420 SYMMETRICAL
The 390s big brother
4.2 metres, three thwarts, 6 pax plus gear or 7--8 max depending on size
RED 425 SQUARE BACK
A favourite . A great all rounder .
Stick what you like in it and head for the put in immediately.
Yes, it does look like Idaho...
RED 430 PRO
The big boy in the fleet. Big tubes, designed for the bigger loads.
INFLATABLE KAYAKS
As seen with Wellington Rafting Co.
PADDLES IN STOCK
T handled, Alloy shaft, composite blade and 150 cm long. Colour black and yellow
RED 330
RED 390
RED 420 IN WHITE
RED425 SQUAREBACK
RED 430 ON THE TONGARIRO
RED IK AGAIN ON THE HUTT RIVER
RED RECOMMENDS
Some river related stuff to watch or buy when you're at home
THE GRAND INGA PROJECT
They are the world's biggest rapids, thundering down the final pitch of the mighty Congo. Legendary kayaker Steve Fisher and his elite expedition team battle seemingly insurmountable obstacles in an attempt to survive the Inga Rapids. 'CONGO' chronicles this historic journey and was recently awarded 'BEST FILM' at the X-Dance Film Festival and more. Available at redbull.tv Netflix and iTunes
THE RIVER RUNNER
Legendary kayaker Scott Lindgren attempts to complete an extreme, unprecedented whitewater expedition 20-years-in-the-making. When a brain tumor derails his goals, he sinks into the darkness of his own trauma only to discover that healing, like any expedition, is not a destination but a journey.
NEW ZEALAND RIVER GUIDE
A must . Spend a bit of time (and have a smile at many of Graham Charles' humorous descriptions) reading this site before you leap in the truck and head to the river.
It may save you some grief and give you a backgrounder on what you're up for.
LEGENDARY STUFF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo34oY0hg3M
New Zealand based Whitewater legend Mick Hopkinson OBE, MBE IPA and Bar shows us how it was done when big water paddling was done in fibreglass kayaks wearing scraps of wetsuit and surviving on a diet of dundee cake and kukri rum.
In this excellent doco shot by Leo Dickinson, Mick , Mike Jones and crew tackle the Dudh Kosi on the flanks of Everest way back in 1976.
Stirring stuff.
ANOTHER ONLINE RIVER GUIDE
Here's a site with some good info . Okay, some of it relates to packrafts and they seem to do quite a bit of walking with boats on their backs, but for those lazy buggers amongst us who know about helicopters, then the rest of the info is relevant. Worth a look when you're couch bound.
https://www.packraftingtrips.nz/
RAFT FRAMES
Steve the Old River Dog of Tauranga does a lovely job on Frames. Here's one he just turned out for a 320 (see further down this page)
And it breaks down easily to fit in a helicopter. Get in touch if you're interested and we will hook you up.
Took boat down the O'sullivans to Swing Bridge run on Saturday including the Ariki Falls. Handles really well. She ran beautifully. Tracked well through wave trains and punched through the standing wave at Ariki.
Mike, 425 driver, Nelson, on his recent trip trip down the Buller
Set the 320 up and did some training with new owner.
Great boat man …
Steve, Raft Frame man and River Dog from wayback
Hey Gareth the raft performed brilliantly on the Buller earth quake section in hi flow
Stoked bro -impressed other raft guides Great choice of boat!
Good profile of raft sitting on the water with 8 pax -nice rocker on it
Am one happy rafty!
Glenn 430 Driver, Nelson
RED 405 on the upper Mohaka. This heli wilderness trip is a must.
Captain Lance report the boat went fine with 4 pax and gear
even in low flows
FIELD TESTED
It's a tough job , but someone has to do it.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
You want a well designed, strong boat that will do the business. Our boats have well tried and tested fabric and fittings. and are designed for NZ rivers.
Here's Steve and a few unruly passengers on the Motu in January 2020
THE UPPER MOHAKA
Our 425 square back is designed for rowing that camping gear, barrels,or your lazy mate who likes to fish every pool you come across.
And if you want to charge down some bigger whitewater the you'll love the steady lines this boat will run.
A great all rounder for NZ conditions.
AND.
Why rowing ? Give it a go....
Our boats are row-frame ready , and compartments designed for mesh gear tramps from NRS.
RED 420 AND ROWING FRAMES
WE have a RED enthusiast that knows all about frames and is of the engineering inclination. Drop us a line if you need a frame . Steve could maybe just help you out.
RED320 ...TE HOE DROP
Styling it in low flow.
LAB TESTED
Strong ,tough, waterproof.
And the boats aren't bad either
AUSTIN FROM RED USA ON THE BIG DITCH
Here's our man in Colorado getting ready for Hance Rapid at 16000 CFS.
(Note Tee Shirt)
WELLINGTON RAFTING HUTT RIVER
You really should go with these guys when visiting the Capital. Rainy day-don't know what to do...perfect!
RED430 ON EARTHQUAKE SECTION
The Buller in flood can be a beast. Glenn from Nelson loves it! He has a 430 and here's what he says.."Great boat -solid as
Thanks for the new toy going to enjoy it "
Top bloke that Glenn .
MORE HUTT RIVER
A must do visit when in the capital.
RED 425 -RAFT HUNTING
What Joe and the Wild Bunch from the Bay of Plenty get up to in their RED 425
HANDSOME LOOKING CREW
The dogs do all the work though
PREPARED FOR BIG WATER AND WET WEATHER
But these sound chaps are up for it
WHAT THE LADS WENT THERE TO GET
There's some big pigs in them there hills.
HOT RIBS
Here's the new RED 485 RIB
It's 4.8 metres long, fibreglass hull, hypalon (or PVC) tubes and handles like a dream.
Ride?? talk about soft. And weight (without engine 150kgs) We run this one with a 50 Yamaha 4 stroke on it and lifted 6 pax onto the plane easy as pie.
We like this boat, a lot. Comes with a bimini, road cover, swim steps, and multi roller trailer.
get in touch now to view.
NOTE
We have a RED 540 RIB demonstrator in Alloy and German Heytex fabric for sale.
can be viewed at Silverdale Marine in Auckland
DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY TO YOU
here's some RED info supplied by RED clients around the country
THE KAITUNA RIVER-A TOUGH TESTING GROUND
A BIT OF LOCAL BETA
There's murmuring the Waitaha Dam proposal is rearing it's ugly head again.
"Westpower wants to invest in the construction, operation and maintenance of a run-of–river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River. The proposal is to develop a hydro-electric power scheme based on a renewable resource.
The Scheme is located within and on the true right bank of the Waitaha River between the lower end of Kiwi Flat and Macgregor Creek within the Waitaha Valley, and within the northern half of the Westland District. It is predominantly on Stewardship Land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). "
Keep your ears to the ground .
meanwhile
Here's Liam Hopkinson strutting his stuff at the Gates of the Morgan Gorge
What a spectacular piece of Wilderness.
Let our Rivers Run
Start working on your multi day raft trip NOW.
Here's a RED crew from Christchurch on the Clarence in November
Read this book before you head to the river. 1. Its a good read. 2. It may just save you a truckload of grief with it's great info.
RESCUE 3 is run by top bloke Daniel Manzano. Dan has a wealth of experience in water safety and rescue and is based in Rotorua.
Drop him a line here and get you and your mates trained up.
Its fun (who doesn't like swimming in rivers when there's someone to rescue you??) and it may save you some embarrassing situations on the river
d.a.manzano@gmail.com
A NOTE FROM HAPPY RED CAPTAIN, GRAHAM ALEXANDER
"I have now been rafting a RED 420 double ender(symmetrical) now for three years.
We have covered a few hundred kilometres and rafted many rivers.
Our raft has never let us down, whether it is a one day trip down gentle Annie in the upper grey river gorge or our annual multi day trip on the Clarence river.
Whatever configuration it is used as,either Full crew with paddles, row frame, centre rig or rear end rig loaded with gear.
The raft performs equally as well as your high end expensive commercial raft manufacturers.
Apart from the usual scrape marks from general wear and usage, it is still in excellent condition. For me RED 420 is the best value for money. handling is a ten out of ten, durability ten out of ten, D rings and fittings ten out ten,
(BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE> ED)
Puncture resistance ten out ten { we have not yet had a puncture}
Value for money ten out of ten. "
Graham Alexander, RED 420 Captain, Christchurch
Gee thanks Graham, we just don't know what to say
PS
The money is in the post okay?
CONTACT US
Recreational Equipment Designs
We have RED Agents in Auckland, The Bay of Plenty, Christchurch and Kerikeri
Give us a ring if you wish to meet up and have a test ride or kick the tubes on a raft
0274982958
