Driving around JHB you will not think a paddling meka, if fact you would probably wonder if it is possible to paddle in JHB at all. And well, at first glace there isn’t, even at second or third glace there isn’t. But over the years I have found a few advantages to living in Joburg and being a paddler. We to be honest I would rather live in Natal but being in Gauteng is not all lost.
Firstly we have the Vaal, which flows all year round and is just over an hours drive. Yes mostly flat there is a very nice section below Parys, which is the breading ground for most highveld whitewater paddlers. Of course Hugh from Whitewater Training is also stationed there, if you don’t know who Hugh is, then you owe it to yourself to find out.
The Vaal is a nice day run, which a low water (which is generally is ) is boney and a bit of a slog but boasts Big Daddy, an impressive looking low grade 3 rapid. There are also a few others providing action along the way. The wild life along the run is also great for those who appreciate it. Unfortunately more and more god awful golf estates and conference venues are popping up all over the place, spoiling the area a little.
When it does get up the Vaal is awesome, the rapids transform from boney shuffles to nice wave trains with the nice sporadic holes. Theater and Gatsien transform into a long sold rapid. Unfortunately this generally requires a dam release from the Vaal dam which requires quite a lot of rain. In which case there is generally better paddling to be had elsewhere in SA.
Think Kayak, more over think Play boat, this is were the Vaal river comes into it’s own. A play spot for all seasons and levels, at all but very low levels the chute in Gatsien works. The Chute is a narrow deep chute and proper park can play. A great place to work on spin, ends, blunt and even loops. With a bit more water the chute washes out and ten metres lower the most amazing wave start to for, the famous Gatsien wave. From anything above 40 cumecs this wave is a great spot for paddlers of all skill levels. At higher level it transforms into a massive wave, and better becomes a better paddlers paradise. When the water gets too high (and Gatsien gets too big) there is a awesome wave in Parys town. Park your car and walk less than ten metres to this wave and enjoy the ride, this doesn’t happen often.
Gatsien chute
Gatsien at 150 cumecs
Parys Town wave
The highveld croc is a hidden gem, less that 50km from Joburg this river boasts some nice rapids when there is water. If it pisses with rain head down the next day and you can expect a great paddle. There are a few dodgy low level bridges and weirs so it would be advisable to paddle with someone who knows the section. At low level there is a small shallow play wave that works, it is a great little spot to work on you playboating technique.
The Klip is another source of fun to be had close to Joburg , this one has a fair amount of water most of the year. The water is not all that clean so keep your mouth shut. While most of the river is generally used by canoeists there is one 5km section which is nice to kayak (and croc I suppose?). It is a great little paddle for beginners and better paddlers looking for something during the dry winter months. About half way down a great little playwave can be found, while it is better that the one on the croc it can only be accessed by paddling down.
A little further afield lays the Ash, a Gem… Fed by the Lesotho highlands water project this river flows all year round. The one down side is that the water is cold and paddling it in winter should only be attempted on a warm day, which in Clarens does not happen often. The section has a host of nice grade 3 rapids and one infamous grade 4, bridge rapid. If you plan on paddling the full section go with someone who know the run, there is some construction going on and currently the best drowning machine I have ever seen has been put in the flow which require a portage.
Park and play croc wave
Playwave on the croc
Unfortunately to find better action one needs to travel further to Natal or the Lowveld. There are some awesome rivers to be paddled in South Africa, many of which go though isolated gorges where you may not see another person for a day or more. There are too many to mention, so get hold of Celliers’ “Run the river” pick one and go, okay make sure there is water first. The Umkomaas, Tugela and Umzimkulu have great sections for Rafts and crocs but most of the nicer sections should only be tackled in a kayak. Else the Orange provides some great longer multiday trip on flatter sections of river.
If you need help learning to kayak or just need someone to paddle with give me a call, alas I sold out and got a job but I spend most of my out of Joburg.
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