Tapu was born and raised in Tahiti but left his island to become a rafting guide in Austria's Styria. Here's his story!
"Big forward, forward, forward, stop!" The water splashes against the boat, front pointing skywards, and the rumbling noise gets louder by the second while Tapu screams his commands. Everyone is paddling in unison, battling the fast-flowing rapid. Moments later, the river returns to quiet, leaving the whole team wet and shattered but with massive grins on their faces. Rafting in the white waters of the Enns and Salza River in Austria's south-eastern province Styria is an exhilarating experience. Or, as Tapu, the guide puts it, "a powerful reminder that we are part of nature".
Tapu, a cheerful guy in his forties, takes locals and visitors down the river from April to October at rafting school deep roots in Gesäuse national park. He came to Austria after meeting his now-girlfriend on a surfing trip to Bali, and quickly fell in love with his adopted home, too: "Coming from an island that is all about coconuts and beaches, the big mountains and big trees are really exotic for me. And the river is almost the same colour as the lagoons we have back in Tahiti."
Austria is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. Coming from an island that is all about coconuts and beaches, the big mountains and big trees are really exotic for me.
While many of his fellow paddlers consider the Gesäuse region the perfect resort for a fun-packed outdoor holiday, Tapu is here to stay. He loves the "simple life" in the Austrian countryside: His little daily routine of having coffee outside in the morning, marvelling at the mountains and the sunrise before heading to work, the conversations with the locals who have become friends on the way, and becoming part of his paddle guests' lives, even if it's just for a short while.
People keep asking him if he doesn't miss island life, he tells us, but while he describes Tahiti and Austria as "very different", he didn't find it too challenging to swap his native's beach life with the Austrian Alps: "This is my place and I feel part of it. Austria is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. I am super happy and really proud to be here."
My body and my soul have a special bond with water. I am not a fish - but close to it.Tapu, Rafting Guide
How much did you know about rafting before you came to Austria?
Tahiti is pretty far from everything. We don't really have outdoor sports, we don't have such big rivers. Rafting for us is more a European thing that we see on TV - if at all. I didn't know anything about rafting before I took the course in Austria. When I told my Mum that I was now a rafting guide, she asked why people would go down a river. I had to send her YouTube videos so that she could understand what I am doing.
What do you like most about your job?
I love to take control of the boat. I am not a control freak but I like to keep my boat tidy, make sure everyone feels safe before we have fun. When we hit a big wave the only way out is to paddle. I get really, really loud when I shout commands. I think people can hear me even in Vienna. Then there's the landscapes. People tend to overlook the beauty around them. I also enjoy getting to know my customers. We spend hours together, I open up to them, they open up to me. We talk about their life and my life, that's the intimate side of rafting.
What surprised you most when you first arrived?
I was amazed how friendly people are here. When they go outdoors they leave their worries behind and just want to socialise. Not speaking the language was a big barrier for me but I am lucky that 80 percent of the people in Austria speak English. They have made my life a lot easier. What keeps me here are the people. Tahiti will always be home but now Austria is my home, too. This is my place and I feel part of it.
What is your personal relationship with water?
I have been surrounded by water my whole life even though back in Tahiti the water is a lot saltier. I think my body and soul have a special bond with water. I wouldn't say that I'm a fish but I am pretty close to it.
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