An assessment of the whitewater recreational values of West Coast rivers: whitewater kayaking

Abstract

This report describes a data resource for decision makers in areas of the West Coast where whitewater kayaking occurs. The resource contains: • River trip reports for 31 rivers. These reports cover logistics; descriptions of whitewater technicality, river scenery and wilderness feel; issues for land managers and rescue managers; a general river summary; representative photographs and results from the West Coast Whitewater Kayaking Survey 2010 with commentary • Photo galleries for 31 rivers. The jpg photos are mainly geotagged (the latitude and longitude of where the photograph was taken can be found in the file metadata) • Reports from the West Coast Whitewater Kayaking Survey 2010, including my commentary. The reports cover overall values associated with rivers; graphs of the specific ratings of West Coast rivers; open descriptions of the value of West Coast rivers to survey respondents and a demographic profile of the survey respondents. The research shows that, as a whole, the rivers of the West Coast region are the most highly valued in New Zealand and amongst the most highly valued in the world by whitewater kayakers. To whitewater kayakers around the world, the West Coast region is characterised by its rivers and its rivers are characterised by their high levels of challenge, scenery and wilderness.