Paddling Update: Day 62–65
7 February 2013
Day 62 – Umhlanga to Zinkwazi, 62km
After a few days staying with the Harkers and loving their aircon, I decided on a late start hoping the forecast would deliver a SW 15kt wind. On the water at 08h00 at “Grannies Pool,” Umhlanga. The first hour reminded me of my ocean crossing days, paddling in a rain squall for ages. I love paddling in the rain, it cooled everything down.
Day 63 – Zinkwazi to Mtunzini, 48km
The rain did not let up until the following morning, and I paddled off the beach at 6am using the outgoing river flow to help push me past the surf. The biggest challenge of the day was crossing the Tugela River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest river at 502km long and notorious for its big fish, running full and brown after all the rain, thick enough that I could not see my paddle in the water. Approaching Mtunzini I spotted what looked like a line of rocks angling across the beach, only realising a few hundred metres out that it was the bank of the Siyaya River in flood, its mouth hadn’t broken in thirteen years and we were the first to see it. Our host Isabella had rescued a turtle washed out of the river and released it into the lagoon.
Day 64 – Mtunzini to Richards Bay, 41km
I thought the rain was over but it just poured all night. A quick photo shoot with our host, Isabella, before we set off to meet Craig Webster at the reserve gate. The water was still dark brown from the river still gushing into the sea. I think I am over this brown water now! After a quick interview with the local press and a nice shower I was treated to a local refreshment, milk stout in a pint glass topped up with cola. Sounds odd, but it’s right up my alley.
Day 65 – Richards Bay to Nhlabane, 25km
The weather and sea had not been playing along and I was getting frustrated waiting in the bustling city of Richards Bay. Craig, our host, joined me again and we paddled out of the harbour just after midday, straight into a wind that was supposed to swing SW but was in fact coming from the NE. Not much to do but get into a rhythm, stay close to shore and watch for rogue waves. In the last 5km the rain and wind stopped, the clouds moved off, and the sea flattened out, back to a decent pace.
