31Jul 2008
Blyde X-Fest 2008
11:07 - By Adrian Tregoning - News - no comment
On the 15th of March 2008, the Blyde X-Fest took place in the Blyde River Canyon, South Africa. Being the largest vegetated canyon on earth, it was sure to be a great event in a truly world class setting. While water levels were perhaps a little on the low, the action was definitely on the high side.
The following morning we got up and gathered our gear for the day ahead. Some people struggled to shake off the effects of the previous nights’ booze but eventually everyone clambered onto the truck that would take us on the long but beautiful drive to the put in. The format of the event was simple and the same as the year before. We would paddle down the roughly 8 km section of river and have three races down three different rapids. There is no other option as one cannot access the gorge in any way, other than a helicopter.
Once down at the river it was a relief to be in the still, morning air. The brown waters were the only disappointment as the usually crystal clear water is a real bonus and something of a rarity when it comes to paddling in South Africa. Because of a plantation being cut upstream, the waters have turned brown and they reckon it will take about another two years to clear up. For now, we’ll have to paddle this brown river and get used to taking water bottles along while doing so.
After a couple of races it was my turn. After much scuffling around I managed to get the starting position closest to the main current from the eddy in which we were positioned. Luke knew that all too well and when the signal was given we sprinted away. I took the lead but he would not give up and just before entering the first little drop he got his boat to nudge the tail of my boat to the right. I struggled to correct my angle and he powered up next to me. We jostled for position and engaged in some battle tactics. I got my paddle on his chest and then he locked it in and I couldn’t get it out. Check it out on the video at the end of this article. Eventually I got free and Luke almost flipped over but corrected very quickly. He went into the main part of the rapid slightly ahead of me but I was on his tail. I lost a lot of speed going through a small hole about halfway through with a stupid brace and then Luke just left me behind as a result of me error. I still paddled as hard as I could and started catching him but could not. He had snaked me at the top and in the end, we both lost a lot of time, ruining our chance at a good position in the competition from the very start. We would not give up though and there were two more races where we could try to get better times, as the person with the least amount of time over the three races would win.
It was a good way to start the day and everyone was having a really good time. The only downside was that we were pushed for time and couldn’t really idle around. I prefer to take my time running down a river, absorbing the scenery, taking lots of photos and just maximising my time out there. Ah, I wish I could paddle right now even!
For the full article, with loads more pictures, click here.
Photography by: Adrian Tregoning, unless otherwise stated. Thanks to Linda Boshoff for her contributions. Words by: Adrian Tregoning.
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