Paddling Update: Day 59–65

Day 59 – Umzumbe to Winklespruit, 69km

The wind only started to build just before the two-hour mark, increasing to a steady 15kt SW, and the wind chop got better and better to ride. The past three days of paddling I have seen turtles, so I know I am moving into more tropical waters, and have to keep myself clear of the shark net buoys.

Achievement: Winklespruit was the end point on my first attempt, so I have now paddled solo around the entire SA coastline, but not uninterrupted. Twelve more paddling days and I should be in Mozambique.

Day 60 – Winklespruit to Umhlanga, 49km

The conditions were just perfect, the lumps and bumps all going in the right direction, our average speed getting close to 13km/h, which for me is styling. Since it felt so lekker I decided to carry on to Umhlanga and paddled on from the harbour breakwater on my own.

Day 62 – Umhlanga to Zinkwazi, 62km

I love paddling in the rain, the drops hitting the sea reminded me of The Matrix, I felt like Neo and could read the movement of the sea so much better in it. Half an hour later I was mock-charged by a little man in a grey suit, coming from slightly behind on my right, turning away right next to my paddle so abruptly that I was splashed all over. Now that’s not cool. See, my black stripe works. Could have been a brown one too!

Day 63 – Zinkwazi to Mtunzini, 48km

The biggest issue today was crossing the Tugela River mouth, well known for its nasty big fish, flowing full and strong after all the rain. The water was such a rich brown colour I could not see my paddle when it was in the water. As I approached Mtunzini I realised the line of what looked like rocks across the beach was actually the bank of a river in flood, the Siyaya, which had not broken its mouth in thirteen years. We were the first to see it.