Feedit-global - feed the need!.

“South Africa is known for its complex history, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and sporting achievements. It is however relatively unknown for its potential as a whitewater paddling destination; difficult to believe considering it has produced some of the great talents and innovators of the sport, in Steve Fisher, Corran Addison, Dale Jardine to name but a few...

How can this be? The kayaking community is small and scattered over this huge country, with most of these boaters involved in the rafting industry, popular among South Africans as a recreational activity. Many of these guys work the season at home before heading north to work on the Zambezi, White Nile or farther afield.

I spent a season there rafting in the Drakensberg Mountains, paying the bills by taking clients but with ample opportunity to keep things fed with the vast whitewater on offer in the Natal region. Along with the multitude of known runs there are literally hundreds of first descents still waiting for paddlers to discover but organizing access is a mission in itself.

Celliers Kruger, CEO of Fluid kayaks, along with some friends undertook a kayaking odyssey around South Africa one of the goals being to produce a guide to the whitewater treasures of his homeland. “A Guide to the Rivers of Southern Africa” is a useful tool for travellers wanting to experience some of the classic runs. It’s good locating put in, take out, sometimes a mission in itself out there. It will give paddlers a rough indicator of the difficulty of runs but ike most guidebooks should not be relied too heavily. It is not written with the intention of mothering paddlers and holding their hands, good paddling, scouting and portaging skills are a must.

The popularity of marathon paddling is astounding; South Africa is home to some big races like the Dusi, attracting large corporate sponsorship, entry numbers and thousands of spectators. K1 is preferred over whitewater which is still viewed with indifference by many thus making it difficult for the sport to be taken seriously.

The pioneering South African mentality is inherent in the local kayakers but they seem fascinated with venturing abroad to fulfil this calling. Don’t get me wrong now i’m not trying to take from the great achievements of guys like Tim Biggs kayaking all three major Amazonian tributaries to show but one example. But why not focus some of that energy on further exploring South Africa’s whitewater. There are literally hundreds of first descents still waiting for paddlers, with many concentrated in the Natal province hidden in the Drakensberg mountains.

The remote nature of rivers here means if you do get into trouble you’re on your own and you’ll have to make a plan. The character of the runs tends to be continuous and technical boulder gardens, with a good mix of vertical drops thrown in for added spice.

The remote nature of rivers here means if you do get into trouble your on your own and you’ll have to make a plan. The character of the runs tends to be continuous and technical boulder gardens with a good mix of vertical drops thrown in for added spice. Similar to New Zealand the rivers tend to attract wood following big rains so expect the unexpected is the advice for paddlers. South Africa is crying out for regularly available and affordable heli access but unfortunately there are no Bruce Dando’s out here, the thriving corporate market means pilots have neither the time or inclination to fly kayakers. Maybe this will change in time opening a whole range of possibilities.

The paddling season varies from east to west, for eastern regions the best time is from mid December until around the end of March, daily thunderstorms high in the mountains keep rivers toped up nicely, there are also a number of classic rivers downstream from large dams that regulate flows, its worth checking with them before getting on however as unscheduled releases do occur. In the west around Capetown the season from April through July.

My season in South Africa gave me a taste for its hidden treasures, its a place i would love to return to with a crew of friends on a dedicated kayaking mission. I would just like to say a big thank you to Graeme Anderson for hooking me up with a Solo from Fluid kayaks while I was visiting, and also a big shout out to Chris for being a great wingman on and off the water.