13 Apr 2014

Royal couple go jet boating

6:38 pm on 13 April 2014

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have continued their tour of Otago with a taste of adventure in Queenstown.

The royal couple were clearly thrilled by their trip on the Shotover Jet boat on Sunday afternoon.

Prince William and Catherine on the Shotover River.

Prince William and Catherine on the Shotover River. Photo: POOL

Their driver, Wayne Paton, says they got a little wet during one of the spins and he thought the duchess might have screamed.

He said although he was a bit nervous hosting the royal couple was a highlight and an honour for Shotover jet.

Mr Paton said the trip's intensity was on par with an average tourist ride, and was not ''too watered down.''

As they disembarked the boat Prince William was heard to exclaim: ''I knew it'd be fast, but I didn't realise just how fast.''

Directly after the ride the couple talked with Arrowtown School pupils who had won a school-wide draw to meet the royals.

The adventure trip followed a visit to Amisfield winery where they were greeted with loud cheers from the public and got to sample some of the wines produced by 20 Central Otago winemakers.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Amisfield Winery.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Amisfield Winery. Photo: Twitter / @GovGeneralNZ

Prince William's rugby win evens the score

Earlier on Sunday, Prince William and Catherine were welcomed by a crowd of 10,000 people at Dunedin's stadium where Prince William coached a children's rugby team to victory.

As part of a day of events in Otago, Prince William and Catherine each coached a team in the Rippa Rugby primary school competition regional final at the stadium.

Clutha captain Henry Craig holds up the cup in front of NZRFU head Steve Tew (left), Prince William, Catherine and All Black captain Richie McCaw..

Clutha captain Henry Craig holds up the cup in front of NZRFU head Steve Tew (left), Prince William, Catherine and All Black captain Richie McCaw. Photo: POOL

The prince's team Clutha beat the Pirates, coached by Catherine, 30-20. The victory evens the score between the couple after the Duchess of Cambridge defeated her husband 2-nil in a sailing battle on America's Cup yachts in Auckland on Friday.

Five-year-old captain, Henry Craig from Balclutha, said the Prince encouraged them a bit and said he needed their help to beat his wife's team, so they tried to win for him.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Cathedral Church of St Paul.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Cathedral Church of St Paul. Photo: Twitter / @GovGeneralNZ

Prince William praised the little Rippas saying the enthusiasm and skill they showed bore out how instinctively good New Zealand is at the sport.

Earlier in the four-hour visit to Dunedin they attended a service at the Cathedral Church of St Paul.

Hundreds of royal supporters, some who had travelled from Southland and the West Coast, had greeted the royal couple at the airport.

About 300 people were at Dunedin Airport as the Royal New Zealand Air Force jet touched down about 9.30am. Some of the waiting crowd had slept in their cars overnight to ensure a place closest to the airport fence.

Supporters of the royal family turned out at Dunedin Airport.

Supporters of the royal family turned out at Dunedin Airport. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer

The couple will enjoy Sunday night off at the exclusive Matakauri Lodge near Queenstown, before flying to Christchurch in on Monday morning.