The Raft is Launched

22 February 2015 Mazoe River - Low Water

Squash Renames "Big Rapid 2".

On the 21st, late evening, a bunch of us, including kids and novices, bobbed down the very low Umfurudzi.  Afterwards we camped the night in a lovely Umfurudzi campsite.

The next morning Hamish Ross kindly dropped us off at Castle Rock and took some stunning photos.  The road was heavy going and the truck with all the equipment came close to bogging down.

The raft was launched while some of us played on the waves near Castle Rocks (the "Castle Rock Twins"). 



Once master raft guide Wayne had briefed the crew (Chantal, Jacqui, Brett & Jess) we set off to tackle the river.

Squash ran a great line down Big Rapid 2, but promptly renamed it to "The Head-banger" because the top wave gave him a thorough slap, knocking his helmet to the back of his head. Jan followed on a less than perfect line, opting to miss the previously swum hole by taking the chicken run on the right for the last portion.

The raft followed and almost waxed the line,, with no real mishaps to report. But Ryan confirmed Squash's renaming of the rapid by dropping into the gnarly hole at the bottom and emerging with severe rock-rash to the upper face.