The first commercial river boarding operation was established in Queenstown, New Zealand by Jon Imhoof in 1989. Jon joined the team at Safari Par Excellence to pioneer Zambezi Riverboarding in 1996.

The sport involves "surfing" the rapids on body boards accompanied by a qualified River Guide.  Basic riverboarding skills are taught in still water before progressing into moving water.  Enthusiastic boarders can stop at "play spots" along the way to surf, ride whirlies and "squirt" (best described as flying underwater).

All you need is to be reasonably fit and be prepared to "Go for it!"

A cameraman accompanies the trip taking video footage and photographs which are shown at the end of the day at the Zambezi Waterfront.

Riverboarding is best arranged in conjunction with a one day rafting trip.  It's also included as an option with the Zambezi Extreme Combos

The "Low Water" Trip - August to January

The "low water" trip starts in the Boiling Pot followed by a few hours playing the "Roller coaster" and "Flow Rider".  "Morning Glory", rapid #4 is very technical and the rapid is run in a raft. 

The next big thrill is rapid #5, "Stairway to Heaven" - not too technical but a very steep and massive drop reserved for the gutsy! 

The trip continues through three more grade 2-3 rapids, before arriving at the lunch spot.

After lunch, the trip continues through "The Devils Toilet Bowl" a grade 3/4 rapid, followed by another grade 5, "Gulliver's Travels". This one is too technical for first time river surfers and again everyone rides in the raft. Next up you go "Star Trekking" through rapid 8, a grade 4-5. "Commercial Suicide" is next and is a grade 6 - everyone walks. Finally, we jump in for our last rapid of the day - # 10, "Gnashing Jaws of Death" – a good grade 3 wave train and a great way to finish off the day.

The "High Water" Trip - February to July

Depending on water levels, the "high water" trip usually begins at rapid #11, "Overland Truck Eater". This is a big barrel for about two weeks in the year during the transition between high and low water in mid January and early July. The trip continues in a raft down the continuous section of white water ending with "The Mother", rapid 13. Rapid 14 is a grade 3 and is a nice easy warm up for what’s to come. Next up is the 700 metre continuous stretch of white water known as the grade 4/5 "Terminator" - the option to ride in the raft is always available.

After the "Terminator", we run " Double Trouble" a nice grade 3/4, and continue down the fast moving white water to "Oblivion". This is a grade 4 rapid with a great wave train which continues down river for 200 metres. The lunch spot is reached after a short raft paddle.

After lunch, you run two more grade 3 rapids before arriving at rapid #24, a great Zambezi stationary wave. You'll spend at least an hour while everyone gets a chance to surf. This wave is great for beginners and experts alike. After you've been deliberately exhausted the trips rafts for a few grade 2-3 rapids before arriving at the take out point.