Fulljames 2025

The first trip of 2025 kicked off with a bang! On Friday afternoon, we were on the road, and the party buses set the tone, starting their crawl at the UoA student bar, led by the one and only Johnny Stav. After what sounded like an epic pub crawl, the party buses finally rolled into Taupo around 2 AM. A massive shoutout to Luka and Dion for driving and making sure everyone made it there safely!

Saturday morning came bright and early, but with breakfast sponsored by Radix 😋, spirits were high! We suited up and headed to the river, ready for an action-packed day. Our beginners were split into two groups – one for rafting and one for kayaking – and the madness ensued. From the get-go, the beginners fully embraced the whitewater, with some absolutely legendary swims (and a few epic wipeouts). It was awesome to see everyone making their way through the FJs wave, some grinning from ear to ear, others grimacing in the best possible way.

*Baby raft was the first to go down Fulljames this trip!*

The first day on the water wrapped up before we knew it, but not before we saw two of our instructors – Sean and Bennett – send Huka Falls for the first time! An absolutely jaw-dropping moment that capped off an already insane day.

*Left to right: Bennett, Sean, and Zak who took them down!*

Later, after some well-earned food, the costumes came out and blew everyone away. And of course, Johnny Stav put on a performance that (hopefully) many are trying to forget. Sorry, Dion! The river gods were appeased with a few booties from our instructors, and the group then hit Taupo’s town, dancing the night away.

Sunday came, and we all knew more carnage was on the horizon – and we weren’t disappointed! Beginners were finding their sea legs, picking up some solid skills, and tackling the rapids like pros. The instructors once again shredded the waves, showing off some serious skills. But alas, the day ended all too quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to pack up.

Check out more photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UbyrJMrwqo72moSJ7

Looking back, the weekend was an absolute blast! From getting a surprise release (yay wave!) to witnessing the sheer chaos on the water, the energy was electric. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated crew of instructors, assistant instructors, and seconders who made it all possible. Without them, none of this would have happened – they were the backbone of the whole trip, teaching new skills, picking up the pieces, and ensuring everyone had a blast.

A big thank you to everyone who made this trip happen – from the behind-the-scenes heroes packing trailers to the guides steering rafts, every single person involved is a volunteer, passionate about getting more people hooked on the thrill of whitewater kayaking.

To all our AUCC members, we hope you had a fantastic time on and off the water. Can’t wait to see you on the next trip!

Your Fulljames officers,

Eloise and Caelum