15 Things You Should Know About Rere Rockslide

Rere Rockslide is a 60 metre natural Rockslide located approximately 50 kms (45 minute) drive from Gisborne City in New Zealand. Head off South along State Highway 2 After going over a fairly long bridge, turn right at the roundabout onto Wharekopae Road. You will go past Eastwood Hill Arboretum, Rere School and come across a sign on your left to Rere Falls. Before or after you venture further to the rockslide be sure to call into visit Rere Falls! You literally drive over them after the turn off. The rockslide itself is 2 kms further down the road from the falls (Yes, they are separate things. Do not attempt to slide down the Falls, you will come off second best).

Rere Falls

Rere Rockslide

1. Take more than just a bikini or speedo!

They will fall off, rip, give you the meanest wedgie and you will end up with sludge all over you and green all up in your grill/junk (if you get what I mean). I personally wear a wetsuit. It may look a bit overkill but I make it out ungrazed. They keep you warm in the water and the air as you are walking back up the track to venture back down again. They also give you extra float at the bottom. If you do not have one, old clothes are OK to use as they will hopefully protect your skin.

2. Boogie boards are great!

Use one and you are guaranteed to go faster than everyone else down the rockslide. But they also give you more control over where you are going! Be sure to spend a wee bit of money on a board (about $15+ NZD). If you are wanting one that will last more than one ride down and will give you speed and control. The best ones are the hard/plastic bottom boards as they slide over the rocks and last many times and years of going down the slide (speaking from experience).

3. Do you want to add to the collection?

Do you know how many go pros and action cams there are at the bottom of the slide? I don't, but I would hate to image! If you are going to take your camera down, a floaty grip or device with a strap of some sort is a must! How gutted would you be if you got some awesome footage of you sailing down the rockslide, leaving your mates drinking your wake (the water splashes up behind you), only to lose your camera at the end and never have any evidence of it?

4. Green studge is your friend!

You may not think so but it does deceive you because you think green sludge is gross and slimy but in this case it is far less slippery than some of the smooth rocks. Follow the green sludge and you will look like a pro!

5. Drop it like a squat!

You may not think so at the time but that guy over there slipping and landing on his arse will soon think you are on to something! The rocks are very slippery so drop it like a squat and get low to the rocks. Butt shuffling is a great way of ensuring you don't slip. The lower you are the less height you have to fall.

6. Left is best!

Just like when you drive on our roads in New Zealand, stick to the left. The left side has a good starting off speed but you can also pick up some serious speed if you want to as well. It is far less bumpy than the right side (which normally has a lot more water going down it). Be careful not to go too close to the edge though! You want to stay in the groove, not go skidding off onto the rocks at the side. (Just like driving!)

7. Hold your feet up!

I cannot stress this one enough… Unless off course you want to end up with whopping great bruises on the top of your feet and knees to prove you conquered the rockslide. It is, oh so tempting, to try using your feet to steer or slow you down, it will not work well enough to justify the bruises and pain you will encounter.

8. Not too little or too far.

The slide is 60 meters not 56 meters. Be sure not to creep down too far,before jumping on your board, as you run the risk of slipping over and going down the slide before you are ready and most likely backwards or on your rear end. But don't start too high up either, you run the risk of ending up like a beached whale at the top... – watch the locals and learn from them

9. Use what your mumma gave you!

If you come off your board, try to spin around onto your bum. If you slip at the top (because you didn't stick to the green sludge or butt shuffle tip), try getting onto your bum. If you didn't bring anything to go down on (which i would not recommend) go down on your bum.

10. The first time is always the hardest!

It looks easy on all the videos you've seen, but when you get there it can be a little daunting. Standing at the top looking down 60 meters… But you only regret the things you didn't do. You've just driven about 50 minutes to slide the rockslide. You slide that rockslide!. It is not as scary as it seems from the top and once you've been down once you will not want to stop!

11. Only a little bit is a lot.

A little goes a long way when your trying to steer. From the tip mentioned earlier do not use your feet. Just lean a little to the way you want to go. If you lean too far you will end up going sideways or wiping out.

12. Pull your board up at the end!

It makes for a mean as skim across the pool at the bottom. Its loads of fun and makes you look pretty professional .Not keeping it up when you hit the water results in the board diving under the water and your body skimming across the water - Youch

13. Go all the way.

You may think starting halfway down the rockslide is easier and less scary. Take it from me, it is a mission to clamber out on the slippery rocks and position yourself on the slide. There is also a serious risk of slipping over and smashing your head on the rockslide behind you. Don’t short change yourself, give it a go from the top. I’ve seen 5 year olds do it!

14. Left, left, left!

When you get to the bottom swim to the left (if your looking down the slide), so other people can come down and not run you down. It makes it more enjoyable, for you and everyone else, if don’t have to wait at the top for someone to swim out of the way at the bottom. There is a non slippery rock you can climb on and get out on the left side. Make your way back up the perfectly formed pathway on the same side and be ready to go again when you get there, as there are no queues!

15. Can you smell that?...

If you do get any cuts or have any scrapes before you go down or afterwards. Take the time to clean them with fresh water after your fun. The water can be a wee bit gross. It can sometimes have really high levels of echoli (Which is basically a tummy bug). There are farms close by that allow their livestock to ‘fertilize’ the grass. Unfortunately the runoff flows downstream... Wash whatever you wear down the slide, this includes yourself. Rere has a deSTINKtive smell, and it is not a good one. You can check the quality of the water here: http://www.gdc.govt.nz/water-quality-rere-and-doneraille/showSite/rere-rockslide

One last thing, have fun! Take a picnic, there are some nice picnic tables there for your enjoyment, and make a day out of it. It is a amazing experience and can be 1000x better if you follow the tips.

If you can't remember all of them...

Just remember to hold your feet up and pull your board up at the end and you will have a blast :)

Blue Moon Travellers