Champion kayakers going over Taupo’s Huka Falls have prompted warnings from officials who say the practice is “extremely dangerous”.

And a sports photographer says onlookers could underestimate the skill required and have asked him where to rent kayaks to attempt to do it themselves.

But the athletes involved say they have the skills to handle the challenge and Huka Falls is the “ultimate playground” for whitewater kayakers.

Visitors to the attraction this week were able to watch as 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 Waikato Herald.

“It’s pretty unique having sometimes a couple of hundred people watching. It’s the closest you get to a grand arena or stadium.”

Mutton said Huka also had “quality whitewater” and “clean features” making it an attractive challenge for athletes.

“It has a cool waterfall lip for doing freestyle tricks,” Mutton said.

“It’s fun honing in on trick ideas and it’s rewarding when you stick a trick and you have the crowd cheering for you.”

Mutton’s fellow champion kayaker and friend George Snook said the combination of easy access, great whitewater and crowd support made Huka Falls the “ultimate playground” for whitewater kayakers.

George Snook said the combination of easy access, great whitewater and crowd support made Huka Falls the “ultimate playground” for whitewater kayakers. Photo / Rod Hill

“Huka’s pretty special. It’s so close to home. It’s known around the world.”

Snook said Huka Falls’ shape also gave it an “extra boost”.

“That allows you to get a good second of flying through the air before you hit the bottom,” Snook said.

“When you’re doing that with your mates in the sun, it’s pretty unbeatable.

“I definitely feel lucky that I have the skills to be able to do it.”

Snook and Mutton had been in kayaks for most of their lives before pursuing the sport professionally.

Snook represented New Zealand at the 2018 Olympic Youth Games. Mutton has competed at a senior level in ICF World Cups and World Championships.

Both athletes, as well as Mutton’s sister River Mutton, were medallists in the 2023 Alps Extreme Kayaking World Championship in the Passer River in Italy’s South Tyrol.

“To be at a skill level so that you can kayak the Huka, you’d need training,” Snook said.

“We have safety equipment, we know how to function on the river as a team. These are skills that have been ingrained in us over many, many years of paddling.”

International award-winning outdoor and action sport photographer Rod Hill said people who saw kayakers tackling Huka Falls could underestimate the difficulty of the task.

“If it looks easy, you know that it’s really hard. They just do a really good job of it.”

Hill said kayakers were careful to observe the flow of the water over the falls before attempting to go over.

“If the flow rate is under 60 cubic meters per second, that’s ideal conditions.”

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 said

Hill 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.

“I 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.”

Grant said the Huka Falls water flow could range from 32 to 270 cubic metres per second rapidly and without warning.

“For those interested in kayaking, there are many safe and beautiful areas to explore on the lake and upper portions of the river.”

Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board posted on Facebook recently to address “a concerning trend” on social media.

“Recently, numerous posts have circulated showing a video of kayakers navigating the waters of Huka Falls,” the post said.

“We must emphasise that this activity is extremely dangerous, and we strongly discourage anyone from attempting it.”

The post said the falls posed “serious risks to those who underestimate its power”.

“The turbulent waters can quickly turn treacherous, and kayakers may find themselves in life-threatening situations.

“When emergencies arise in such environments, they put immense pressure on our dedicated emergency services, land managers, hapū, iwi, and local businesses who work hard to keep our hāpori [community] safe.”

The board said safety should be the priority.

“There are many beautiful and safer locations to enjoy kayaking adventures without the risks associated with Huka Falls.

“Please think twice before you embark on such journeys and consider alternative, safer options for your outdoor activities.”

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.