Oh.......my.......God.......!!!!!!!
I awoke at 05:26 with my stomach competing for the world somersault competition! Having completely doused ourselves in suncream we left for the kingdom by bus to run through the procedures and sign an indemnity form for Shearwater Adventures. Our descent to the starting point in the gorge was pretty hard going, very steep and very slippery. Luckily we didn't have to carry the rafts to the Zambezi, just our hard hats, a lifejacket and a paddle.
As I got into the boat I was all smiles, prepared for what I thought was ahead. We spent several minutes practising manouevres on command, like forward paddle, back paddle, left back paddle, right back paddle, get down, get up and out! All for the camera - the video should be good!
Rapid number four, classified grade 4.5, was our first. We paddled straight into it, got caught in an eddy by the rock face of the gorge, and three of us immediately left the boat! I was sucked down, down and I felt so breathless. When I thought I was surfacing I outstretched my left arm and then I was sucked straight back down again! When I did reach the surface I saw a raft and swam towards it, was greeted by two German guys whose arms were outstretched, I grabbed their hands and they grabbed my lifejacket and on the count of eins, zwei, drei I was hauled out of the crocodile infested Zambezi face down into their raft, gasping for air. That was it for me - I had had enough! I was petrified! Such a long swim on the first rapid! Our raft rescued both me and Rich, who had also ended up in the German raft, and Tracey who had lost and recovered a shoe and ended up in another raft!
On to rapid number five. Another high grade, classified grade 5. I was worried. It was wet but it was fine. We all stayed in the raft.
With rapid number six there were no issues. On exiting I hollered 'I'm in the boat!' and cheers from all followed!
Rapid number seven had two parts and a bonus freebie before we reached the main section. It was long but I enjoyed that one. It was a classified grade 3 rapid but we somehow managed to lose Ian there on the second part. He went out at the front and immediately grabbed hold of my hand and Rich pulled him aboard the raft.
Rapid number eight was our 'choice'. We could go left which was a 100% flip, centre which was a 50% flip or right which was a 100% no flip. We decided to compromise and went for the centre. And we didn't flip!!!!!!! But we did lose Tracey in truly fantastic style! Our catapulting Canadian managed to fly out of the raft on the opposite side to the side she was sitting on and had the longest swim anyone could imagine! I was so glad it wasn't me!
After rapid number eight we had to lift the raft and carry it to rapid number ten as number nine was a classified grade 6 and none of the adventure companies who operate on the Zambezi River hold a commercial licence to ride it. Thank Heavens! When we saw it it took our breath away and when we watched for a while we saw a psycho kayaker riding it, successfully! It was brilliant to watch but he was a mad fool!
Rapid number ten was fine, very good. It also got a shout of 'I'm still in the boat' when we successfully exited the rapid and again the cheers followed and we all raised our paddles together at the centre of the raft.
We stopped for lunch, whereby monkeys came down the gorge side to steal our food, before rapid number eleven and I took the opportunity to call it a day. I thoroughly enjoyed the good rapids but was so fearful after the first that I decided I knew my limits and perhaps the Zambezi River is not the best place to begin my white water rafting hobby! I left the rest of the team to it and began my difficult ascent to the summit of the gorge where I was greeted with a cold lemonade. I chatted with a guy who worked for the United Nations for a while then we made our journey back to the kingdom. En route I had a sighting of two water buffalos. It was a tremendous experience, next time I visit Victoria Falls I will complete the whole course. I even got a certificate for my half day.
Now I have time to relax by the pool at the Inn while I wait for the braver group to return.
Dinner was accompanied by some traditional African male dancers although it seemed somewhat less traditional when I spotted one guy wearing bright orange boxer shorts...
Copyright 2002 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.