While in Wanaka, we spent one day jumping, rappelling, sliding and swimming in Robinson Creek Canyon.

We knew it was something we wanted to try in New Zealand, so on our first full day in town, Rick, Mike and I signed up for the adventure with a local canyoning company. Laura, from Germany, joined our group and the four of us, plus one skilled guide, set off for the canyon one morning. 

We were suited up in canyoning shoes, helmets, and layers of thick neoprene, although the frigid water still snuck in and gave us goosebumps. Only adrenaline kept us warm and moving as we maneuvered through the obstacle course that is Robinson Creek Canyon.

We shimmied down huge fallen tree trunks and jumped from large boulders into small pools. All of the features we tackled built up to a 100 ft. rappel alongside one of the largest waterfalls in the canyon. 

I half hopped, half limped through the day, and likely set myself back a few days in recovery, but was still glad that I experienced one of the most popular sports in New Zealand.