Expedition Africa 2014 And some more pre race ramblings

Training to stay awake for 6 days:

Diary of Adderjan Mole, aged 614/5

What keeps the other teams awake at night?  For me it’s thinking about the 80 km of paddling.

The following assessment – which is given in the hope it will get all of you practising - could be wrong. But on the other hand, what if it is not?

As regards any sea stages:  consider that the Wild Coast is the graveyard of more ship’s per sq km than any other part of the world – Bermuda Triangle included.

Also, as we have already been warned: there are  sharks and they have been sighted deep inland on the rivers.  Just ask the Austrian tourist who lost half his body at Port St Johns a week or so ago.  

As regards river paddling:  My Wikileaks source suggests that there are three possible river paddling options in the area:

-          a 90 km section rated Class 2 to 4

-          a 85 km section rated Class 3 to 5

-          a 70 km section rated Class  3 to 4+

My hope is that Stephan has the first section in mind, but, for logistical reasons my money is on the third option which comes with the following additional information:

-          it is normally a five day trip under experienced river guides

-          it is recommended for low levels (winter months) only: beware of high water as numerous rapids have nasty holes and explosion waves at the bottom.

I don’t know what an “explosion wave” is but it sounds exciting.

In case you’re wondering, the grading definitions are:

Class 2:

Easy rapids with small stoppers and small drops. The line down the rapid may require some manoeuvring, but is easy to read. Swimmers are seldom injured.

Class 3:

High irregular waves with numerous obstructions. Complex manoeuvring may be required. Scouting from the bank may be necessary.

Class 4:

Rapids are long and difficult and require difficult manoeuvring. The water is very turbulent and stoppers are powerful. Scouting from the bank is often necessary.

Class 5:  (do you really want to know?)

The rapids are extremely difficult, long and very violent with large drops, narrow passages and complex boulder fields. Scouting is definitely necessary. Rescue is difficult and one’s life is at risk if you mess up. 

Class 5 (and above) are the domain of Darron Raw (Swazi Extreme), boet Shane and sundry other maniacs.  

If the above doesn’t assist practicing to go without sleep I don’t know what will.   

Lekkerslaap!