Rolling down the river

*concerned*

Over break, we travelled to Swaziland and spent a week on a beautiful nature reserve. While we were there we decided to all sign up and go white water rafting down the Great Usuthu River. This river runs through South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. The name Suthu refers to the Basotho people who settled near the source of the river until they were attacked and forced to move by the Swazis.

After an hour drive into the mountains we finally reached the access point to the river. I buckled my life jacket, adjusted my helmet and secured my bathing suit because the last thing I needed was to moon everyone while the sun was still out. I joined the semi-circle around the boats and began to mentally prepare myself for the journey ahead. 

Our guides explained how to maneuver our boats and what to do if we ever fell out. It felt like driver's ed all over again minus the 20 minute stop at Dunkin Donuts with Mr. Marcus our instructor. The guide warned us to remain towards the center of the river and to always continue to paddle because hippos, alligators and snakes were all potential threats. Al and I were sharing a boat together and lets just say that we were not too confident in our abilities. I mean my friend Jocelyn always calls me a NARP (Non-athletic regular person; this explanation is for you mom) and as much as I don't want to agree with her, it is true, except on the volleyball court.

The calm before the storm

We all dragged our boats into the river and began to paddle in a straight line like ducks in a row. As we approached the first rapid, it was just a taste of what we would end up facing in the final stretch of our journey. Most of us were able to make it through the first rapid, but it only got harder as we travelled further down the river.

                           

                            

There should have been a warning that this was going to be one of the most intense workouts I have ever done. I felt like I was on the biggest loser and our guide was Jillian Michaels. He just kept yelling at Al and I for going the wrong way, but it's not our fault that the river was just taking us. My biggest fear was falling out and not be able to get myself back in the boat.

Some tips for when you fall into the river are as followed:

1. Keep your feet up and in front of you to avoid hitting your head on a rock.

2. Attempt to hold on to your paddle/ retrieve it.

3. Put your paddle in the boat and push yourself down into water to propel upwards.

           

4. Once you do that, make sure to reach across to push the other side of boat down.
(Warning: Boat could flip if you do not do this)

5. Balance your weight in boat to help your partner get in.

After we were all secure in our boats, it was time to continue rolling down the river! The next rapid was a man-made one created by the dam that broke up the river. Here are some candid moments from our second rapid: 

Al and I made it through the whole river without falling out, while 10 out of the 13 boats flipped in the last rapid. I am basically a certified rafter now and might as well pursue it as a career since I have no other plans in place for after graduation next year. Here are some action shots of our final showdown with the rapids: 

Check back later in the week to hear about some of my other adventures!

Sincerely,

Stephen