Watrail paddle - paddled with Tracey in K2. River going at superbly fun 250 cumecs, probably the nicest level I've seen. A few wave trains, but no massive whirlpools and almost not a rock in sight.
With me feeling ill the day before, we decided we'd do a leisurely cruise. Started about 2 mins before the stage start. Slight wake-up call at the usual whirlpool at #1. Then okay. Rhys F. caught us at about 7km and we were with him for about 3km until we swam on the SE bend of the 'S' bend, at the rapid with the big rock in the middle that makes the biggest whirlpool ever at higher levels. Were doing okay over the wave-train, but a swirly on the right at the end gave me nothing to brace on and we went in. Lost 5 mins.
Thereafter all easy and fun. Stopped at 1/2 way for the first sip of water and some food. Got caught by Ugene & Costa at the last poort. Water still pushing nicely over the last 1/4 but still ground up against 2 hidden banks in the dirty water just after the Kraai River.
We were comfortably doing 18km/hr in the canyon and it didn't drop muc below 17 after the poort. The race finished at the weir take-out as there was apparently a tree block at the finish.
Great fun paddle with a surprisingly great time in the end. Without the 5m swim could have got close to the record flood time. Really pleased that I decided to do the paddle after yesterday.
CP |
2019 |
2016 |
2015 |
2012 |
2011 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
Cumecs |
250 |
150 |
140 |
100 |
700+ |
25 |
400 |
149 |
Hot Springs |
1h55 |
2h08 |
2h05 |
2h31 |
1h44 |
3h04 |
??? |
??? |
Aliwal North |
3h59 |
4h59 |
4h47 |
5h44 |
3h47 |
n/a |
4h05 |
4h56 |