Beginners rafting

The 2006 beginners rafting was held on the Orange river, doing the section between hopetown and Slypstein. 25 people, 2rafts, 3 crocs, 3kayaks, a host of gear and people's personal kit was loaded into 6 cars headed for hopetown. This year a lower putin was used to cut out much of the flat water on the first day. This was fortune as little sleep was had the night before due to a massive rain storm that hit the normal overnight spot. Everyone scramble for cars and toilets, while Daav, Justin (Um-palanga) and myself sat it out in our assortment of rain gear. I see few read my warning about checking the weather report before leaving.

The paddle was pleasent with no spills on the first noteable rapid "Hubbly-bubbly". We chose to get off the river early and get some much needed shut eye, food and OBS. Mark headed off up the mountain with a harem of girls for sundowners, various couples headed off to bush while a shelter was constructed and supper was prepared (I suppose the couples would have had each other if it rained). Nick however did a super job covering the most important aspect of a river meal, lots!
Sunday morning saw the running of "Hells-gate", which all went to plan.

The rest of the paddle section comprised of smallish wave trains and a few flats. We came across a "Lobatse Hinged Tortoise" swimming across the river, on one of the longer flat sections.
The drive home was marred by a rather interesting sections of road, which resembled a road in Mozambique after a flood, where "crabs" punctured and a tire-swap procedure was needed.
At the end a great well organised (thanks Al) trip was had by all.