Sports Events in Queenstown

River Boarding is similar to boogie boarding in the sea except you go down a "white-water" river. In Queestown, the best place to try this is with Mad Dog River Boarding who run their river boarding at "Roaring Megs" (see picture) which is a scenic stretch of rapids on the Kawerau River.

I didn't actually do this but stopped to take a look at Roaring Megs on my way through. It really is an impressive stretch of river if you like that kind of thing!

Equipment: You should use their equipment for this activity.

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Snowboarding or Skiing is a popular passtime in the Queenstown area as there are a few skiifields to choose from. The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are the closest skiifields.

Equipment: There are many places in Queenstown itself to buy or hire gear. You can also get gear ont he mountains but it will probably cost you more money.

We went skiing at Coronet Peak and whilst it was fun, it was really busy and overcrowded. Also, they hadn't had much snow so one of the lifts was closed and snow cannons were used elsewhere.

Equipment: There are many hire shops in the town.

The shotover jet is one thing you can consider doing while in Queenstown. It is fun for both kids and adults.

The boats moved really fast and spins around several times on water as low as 20cms. A bit of advice, in winter, dress warmly.

Also how to avoid the splashes? Stay close to the driver in the middle of the boat. Those who sit at the ends always end up wet.

In winter, there was a discount so instead of $95, they charge us $85 and close at around 6pm (dark). However in summer, it is very popular and you need to book 1 day in advance to get a place. It also closes late in summer at close to 9pm.

The company will also provide free pick-ups from Queenstown.

Not being one for hard out adventure sports I have to admit that I haven't tried this but I had plenty of fun watching others! Paragliding is a sport whereby you run off a hill/cliff with a parachute on your back and paraglide to the ground.

In Queenstown there is more than one place that offers this however probably the easiest one to access is Queenstown Commercial Parapenters located at the top of the Skyline Gondola. They offer tandem jumps and heli-jumps also.

Equipment: They will supply all the equipment. $185 is the cost and that will get you a tandem jump plus some pictures of the jump.

Then of course you've got to climb back up the 143 feet to the top. When I looked at it from the top, I never thought I'd make it back up again - I was sure my knees would still be shaking too much.

But when I am actually there, I am so full full of energy from the adrenalin, endorphins and seratonin or whatever the enzymes are called that the brain produces under such circumstances, that I run most of the way up!

I very relieved mother is there to welcome me, along with David ofcourse, and I get a cheer and a round of applause when I reach the top. Complete strangers come up to speak to me and congratulate me - there are two other buses stopped here now.

When I stop bouncing and am lowered into the boat, I am quite disappointed that it is all over, I want to continue to bounce around for a bit.

The inflatable raft holds out a long pole for you to grab, then they take your hand and them men on the bridge lower the rope so that you land in the boat.

Once I am over the edge, it is all plain sailing from there. In fact, there is only one way to go - down! The best bit is at the bottom when you stretch the elastic and bounce back up again, the worse is when you reach the top again, the leastic goes slack and you start going down again.