Meet the Riverbug: the little boat making big waves on the Eastern Bay’s riverways
Just five minutes floating downstream in a Riverbug, and Don Allardice was completely hooked. A lightweight, single-person inflatable, controlled with paddle-gloved hands and flippered feet, the Riverbug was unlike anything the experienced white-water kayaker had seen before - or in the 20-odd years since.
Soon after that magical introduction, Don started running New Zealand’s first Riverbug tours. Then, in the early 2000s, he took the fun world-wide, setting up Riverbug operations in Scotland, South Korea, Canada, and Venezuela. Don and his wife Sabina later settled in Austria, where they spent eight fun-filled years running their own Riverbug tour company.
Ask Don what he loves most about Riverbugs, and he’ll tell you it’s simple; they’re an absolute ball. “The Riverbug is such a great way to have instant fun in whitewater, whatever your experience level,” he says. Powered entirely by your own arms and legs, with no paddle to worry about, Riverbugs are intuitive, easy to control, and safe for grown-ups and kids alike. “They’re compact, lightweight, and versatile. But best of all, they’re something totally different!”
"It's amazing to see the joy people get, being able to navigate white water rapids solo on their very first day, with no fear or inhibitions. That’s what motivates us most; sharing an experience we really love." - Don
When COVID-19 hit, Don and Sabina were here in New Zealand, in the middle of a well-earned break. The crisis soon put a pin in any plans to head back overseas, and instead sparked a bright idea to bring the Riverbug back to its spiritual home of New Zealand.
The couple settled in Tauranga, and soon made the most of the Eastern Bay’s stunning rivers and waterways. Today, Riverbug is busy running action-packed half-day adventures along the Rangitaiki Gorge, Tarawera River, and the Wairoa River, all a handy distance from Whakatāne.
For Sabina and Don, who is of Ngāti Kahungunu, bringing visitors a taste of Māori culture is all part of the experience. “We love combining adventure and fun with culture and education,” Don says. “We always start with a karakia, and we talk a lot about kaitiakitanga - the way we look after the land, because the land looks after us."
"Every river’s different, and has different significance to the local Iwi. It’s fantastic to be able to share the history, the stories, and the importance of the rivers to the locals." - Sabina
Since making the move to the Bay of Plenty, Don and Sabina haven’t looked back. “Whether you connect with sea, river, mountains, or forest, there’s something special about this place that really grounds you,” says Sabina. “We’re very lucky that we get to live and work where people come to play.”
As for the future of Riverbug, Don and Sabina are full of bright ideas. More tour locations, educational opportunities, and expanding their floatilla are all high on the agenda. “We’re also really excited to pass on our knowledge, and train other guides to share Riverbugging with the rest of New Zealand,” says Don. “It’s something we’d love to be able to give back to the tourism industry.”
In the meantime, Don and Sabina look forward to helping Kiwis and visitors experience something new, and form a deeper connection with the water. “Come and share the beautiful places, the wai taonga, the water treasures,” says Don. “At the end of the day, that’s really what we’re all about.”
