Press & Journal – river bugs

April 2003

DUNKELD FIRM INTRODUCES NEW SPORTS CRAZE TO SCOTLAND

by Claire Stewart 28th April, 2003

THE latest extreme sports craze to hit Scotland has been billed as a cross between a white-water raft and an armchair – but it’s far from relaxing.
Pioneered in the extreme sport hub of the world New Zealand, River Bugs have now arrived in Scotland.
They have been brought over to the country by Dunkeld-based outdoor activity company Nae Limits, thanks to the determination of self-confessed adrenaline jumky Dean Dunbar.
Mr Dunbar spotted the craft in New Zealand where he tried out various hair-raising extreme sports, including the highest bungee jump in the world.
Explaining the fascination with River Bugs, Mr Dunbar said: “The Bugs are the latest extreme sport to come out of New Zealand. They have been in use there for around five years and apart from New Zealand, Scotland is the only other place in the world that the River Bugs are commercially available.
“They (New Zealanders) have obviously been white-water rafting and kayaking for some time, but needed to find something else to do with all that white water. That is where the River Bugs come into play.”
Describing the Bugs, Mr Dunbar said: “The River Bug is a single-person white-water craft. It only weighs around 7kg and is very easy to manoeuvre, with a little bit of training. They can travel through white water ranging from grade one to three, run small rapids and can even be used to pull stunts, such as pirouettes.
“Some of you may look and say that grade one to three are not exactly extreme, but when you are actually sat in the Bug, with white water splashing all around you, zipping past rocks, surfing the waves and going over the occasional drop, you may change your mind.”
Anyone wanting further information can call Nae Limits on 01350 727242.
by Claire Stewart
Press & Journal