Racing Rivers

It was a Kiwi that invented the jet-boat, so it is probably unsurprising that at the time of this film’s production New Zealand teams had won Mexico's Rio Balsas Marathon three times. Directed by Derek Wright, the award-winning NFU doco showcases what was then the longest jet-boat race yet staged: a five-day 1000km race across NZ, with the locals putting their trophy on the line. The race hits the rapids and — despite the odd tree stump — speeds past scenery on six rivers (from the Whanganui to the Waimakariri), Lake Brunner, and through the surf to Sumner Beach.

The Grey [River] is a challenge, a complex latticework of leads, which have a habit of dying out unexpectedly.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Derek Wright

Director, Writer

Tom Williamson

Producer

Judy Rymer

Editor

Dianne Twiss

Sound

Brian Shennan

Sound

Grant Foster

Camera