NOT ALL PEACHES & CREAM….
The ‘Change a life’ squad took advantage of the flowing waters of the Dusi on the weekend. We put in at Dusi Bridge and paddled 50 Miler style to Umfula Store, via the infamous Bell Rapid and Pearl Harbour Rapid (just before 2nd Saddles take-out)
Pearl Harbour got its name way back when that section was just being explored by paddlers due to the new 50 Miler route. Ken Holden came around the corner and there was a scattering of boats submerged/wrapped across the river from the group tripping ahead of him. He described it as a scene out of the Pearl Harbour movie when the Japanese bombed the hell out of the USA Warships. A very apt name for a rapid that seems to reinact that movie come 50 Miler.
Pearl Harbour Rapid has a grassy/rocky island in the middle. It is best negotiated paddling down the middle of the right option (few meters right of grassy knoll), with minimal boat speed, letting your boat feel its way down.
I paddled with Thomas Ngidi (15th-Dusi 2009)
When we launched our canoes at Dusi Bridge, I allowed myself the luxury of thinking that because this is the ‘Change a life’ second Dusi Season, we should have less drama on the river.
One mistake, I forgot to ‘touch wood’, and so jinxed that thought.
Lucas, top ten Dusi finisher, wrapped his spanking brand new Eagle K2 around Egg rock a few hundred meters downstream of Washing Machine. Thobani following, proceeded to do the same. In a split second it was game over for those two crews – huge effort to free boats – missioning to get boats to vehicle - drive to Umfula – run from Umfula to top of Ngumeni for their lack of exercise, whilst we tied our boats on the trailer and ate peanut butter & banana sandwiches.
The water level was the most user friendly (we caught up some water, once we put in after the Ngumeni Portage) for shooting Gum Tree and Tombi rapids. The guys dropped over the right of Tombi pinnacle rock like they were on a Sunday picnic. I was quick to warn them that its not all ‘Peaches and Cream’ come higher water levels.
The males in the Valley of a Thousand Hills don’t take instruction very readily from woman. However having top female K2 crew, Abbey and Robyn on our trip, had the guys following their lead.
These guys popped out of nowhere looking for a ride to get back to Dusi Bridge. Unfortunately we were jam packed inside, so had to do it ‘Africa style’.
The following day I took part in a 70km MTB race from Giba Gorge down into the Dusi Valley to Inanda Dam, then onto to Durbs. Walking to the start, I heard the commentator doing his bit. I thought to myself, I know that person (although I had never met him in my life). He sounded so familiar – Phil Liggitt. Being such a legend of the Tour (’voice of cycling’, commentated on every Tour since 1973), I couldn’t resist doing the School boy thing – posing for a foto.
