Scouts - Orange River

This year's senior event was a multi-day kayaking expedition through the semi-desert of the Northern Cape. All of the senior scouts are accomplished kayakers, but their experience is limited to one day trips on the Vaal and smaller rivers around Johannesburg. So it was with some trepidation that they met at 04:00 on Thursday morning to head for the river.

We made good time on the drive and after a couple of stops for breakfast and fuel, we passed through Douglas on our way to Prieska. Just outside of Douglas, the scouts got their first glimpse of the river and jaws dropped as they saw just how big it really is. Prieska was now only 15 km away and here the problems started as Chris hit a pothole and damaged both tires on the left side of his car. So leaving the boys on the side of the road, we headed into Prieska. After leaving the girls and the boats at the Die Bos campsite, I went in search of a new tire and then back to rescue the boys. Once we were all safely at Die Bos, we had a late lunch and held a war council. It was now after 16:00 and we had to decide whether paddle or stay over in the campsite. The sun was still high in the sky and we decided to go.

Everyone got down to the business of sorting kit and packing boats, but it was still 18:00 by the time we set off. We aimed to do 5km, but had an immediate setback as Chris had a swim at the first obstacle. In the end, we managed 4km by the time we found a campsite at 19:00. It had been a long day and everyone was in bed straight after dinner.

Early to bed, early to rise and everyone was up by 06:30. After a good breakfast, we broke camp and were on the water by 8:30 as we had a bit of catching up to do after the previous day's late start. The conditions were perfect, with the current flowing at about 2 knots and a slight breeze at our backs, and we made good progress for the first two hours. With this distance under our rudders and as the heat started to build, we slowed down. Out came the polo ball and we spent quite a while playing canoe polo and splashing each other. Quite a challenge in a river boat. All this helped to manage the heat and we had paddled over 20km by the time we stopped for lunch. Lunch was a leisurely affair and most of the scouts went for a swim in the rapidly flowing river.

After about an hour and a half, we pushed on. The heat was really oppressive by now, but we put in another 90 minutes of paddling to complete 32 km on the day. We then found a nice camp site with some shade and collapsed into it. The wet kit was put out to dry and we whiled away the time, playing cards and swimming, until 18:00 when it was cool enough to start with dinner. As we ate, the sun set and the stars came out - what a magnificent sight.

Morning of day 3 and everyone crawled out of bed. There had been strong winds down the river valley during the night, making sleep difficult, but with half the distance completed there was no rush to get going. It was well after 9 when we got underway, and we idled our way through the landscape. Between playing canoe polo and splashing each other, we covered another 17 km before lunch. We pulled off in a nice sandy bay and took a long swim before enjoying some burritos for lunch. During this lunch break, the guys in the K1s made a major error - as they pulled their boats up on the bank, the tails were submerged and the water started to enter through the cable holes. Nothing like a wet sleeping bag!

Again we took an hour and a half over lunch, then put in a hours paddle before pulling for the night. This time we found a spot next to a forest where a small stream flowed into the Orange and we swam and relaxed until the temperature started to drop. As this was the last night on the river, dessert was served after dinner - burnt marsh mellows and Marie biscuits - not really my cup of tea. Then after general banter and laughter around the fire we went to bed.

The wind again howled during the night and everyone got up later than usual. Not that this was a problem, as we had less than 10 km to go and several hours to do it in. We set off at 10:00 at a leisurely pace. The temperature was climbing rapidly and it was definitely the hottest day of the trip. After about 30 minutes, we tied all the boats together and went for a swim, letting the boats drift. Again the polo ball came out, but this time the sport was water polo. Quite a while later, there was a mad scramble to get back into the boats as we approached a small rapid and then we sighted the take-out at R383 Bridge.

By now it was over 40°C and we made for the shade offered by the bridge. Everyone took the opportunity to relax and eat lunch before some of us set out to explore the abandoned Koegas Recreational Club. When I was there 10 years ago, there were still balls and cues in the billard room and glasses in the bar, but times have changed and there is very little left. I suspect there is even someone living in one of the abandoned houses. By this time Ray had arrived to fetch us and he brought some welcome cold drinks and snacks. Carrying the boats up to the road was a laborious affair, then we all piled back into the car for the long drive back to Prieska.

We setup camp at Die Bos and got a braai going. After dinner and many games of cards, we packed up for an early start. Last morning and I got everyone up at 05:30 and we were on the road by 06:!5. We stopped for breakfast outside Kimberly and then continued on towards Johannesburg. We were making good time until we hit a storm at Wolmaransstad. The storm was vicious and the cars were beaten by hail. We eventually got going again, arriving back in Johannesburg after 17:00. We were much the worse for wear, but the paddle was awesome