World’s first commercial riversurfing co turns 20

Press release from Serious Fun Riversurfing
12 January 2008

World’s first commercial riversurfing company turns 20

The world’s first commercial riversurfing company is celebrating 20 years of whitewater adventure on Queenstown’s Kawarau River this summer.

Established in the summer of 1989, the pioneering tourism operator Serious Fun Riversurfing is to host a birthday bash on Saturday 31 January to mark the occasion.

General Manager Neil Harrison said the birthday was a huge milestone for the company.

“I’m extremely proud to be part of Serious Fun’s 20 year history. This celebration marks the fact that thousands of people from all around the world have enjoyed an amazing experience on the mighty Kawarau River,” he said.

The company’s story began in 1989 when Jon Imhoof, a backpacker from Hawaii, started taking friends bodyboarding on the Kawarau.

“At first it was just a group of mates having a bit of fun on the river then friends of friends starting coming along. In those days tourists and locals hung out together at the old Eichardt’s pub so we were soon taking tourists down the river too,” said Mr Imhoof.

“That first summer we offered free trips, accepting any donations along the way. Realizing that man could not live on beer alone, we acquired the appropriate licenses the following summer to become the first commercial riversurfing operation in the world. Before we knew it, we had an exciting business underway.”

Mr Harrison said the company had built steadily over the years.

“Today we have a dedicated crew of 16 guides with whitewater boarding experience from all over the world providing one of the best adventure activities in New Zealand.”

“Only recently we became the first whitewater boarding activity in New Zealand to achieve Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official mark of quality.

“We have a 100% safety record and we’re the only operator to offer the longest Grade 4 rapid river surfing experience in New Zealand.

“We’re really proud of these successes and we’ll continue to work to improve our customer’s experience.”

ENDS

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