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Monday, 10 April 2006
S.A. Extreme Sport How To's: Sea Kayaking
With a breathtaking shore stretching thousands of kilometres from Namibia in the west to Mozambique in the east, South Africa’s coastline boasts superb sea kayaking. Jacques Marais went in search of aqua action.
“Diverse’ is probably the best word to use when describing South Africa’s 3 000km-plus shoreline. Along the Indian Ocean, the sultry Mozambique current caresses the Wild Coast, Sunshine Coast and Garden Route. It then gradually cools as it approaches Cape Agulhas, where these warm waters mix with the cold Benguela current to forge the nutrient-rich marine biome enveloping the African subcontinent.
Somewhere between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point, you will pass from the Indian into the Atlantic Ocean. This changeling sea sweeps northwards along the desolately beautiful West Coast, past Saldanha and Hondeklip Bay to where the muddy Gariep River marks our northern border with Namibia. And wherever you venture along this untamed coastline, you will be tempted to dip in a paddle and explore.
Blading out to sea has many rewards, but natural payback must be at the top of the list. Close encounters with whales and iridescent sunfish; sleek Cape fur seals rollicking alongside your boat and quicksilver dolphins surfing the waves; penguins, gannets and cormorants standing sentinel upon amber rocks or a lone albatrosses winging high against the azure sky.
And as the seasons flow between autumn, winter, spring and summer, the marine kingdom changes to reflect the many moods of our rich ocean heritage. Summer wave play provides as much pleasure as a winter touring safari, but before you glide onto the tides, you must decide on a suitable sea kayak ...
This is easier said than done, as they come in a bewildering range of shapes and sizes. First off, choose between either a traditional sit-in kayak, or opt for the stability which comes as part and parcel of a sit-on design. Boat building technology has progressed in leaps and bounds since the days of animal skins stretched over a whalebone frame, and most contemporary craft are manufactured from polythene, polycarbonate or fibreglass compounds.
If you plan to go solo most of the time, go for a single kayak, otherwise paddle with a partner in a double-cockpit craft and share the experience. Consider design features such as the shape and width of the beam (the wider, the more stability it will afford); the length of the hull (the longer, the better the straight-line tracking); the rocker (or angle of the keel), the type of steering mechanism as well as the overall volume of the craft.
Variable combinations of the abovementioned characteristics will affect the handling, speed, weight and comfort of your boat, so try before you buy if this is at all possible. A general rule of thumb is that you will have to trade weight and stability against speed, so decide whether you want to race or tour before you sign on the dotted line.
As with most recreational adventure activities, sea kayaking enthusiasts would be well advised to follow a few basic guidelines in order to ensure their safety and an environmentally friendly approach to the great outdoors. Never set off on a kayak trip without getting a medium term weather forecast for the area, always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and be sure to carry the requisite emergency equipment (including the medical kit and signal flares).
Make sure both you and your fellow paddlers know basic marine navigation and do pack a compass, especially if you are planning long distance touring trips. Protect yourself from the elements by slapping on ample sunscreen and wearing protective clothing (make sure you have a dry set stashed in a watertight container to counter hypothermia). Know your distress signals, be sure you can competently handle your craft in rough seas and, above all, respect both your fellow outdoor enthusiasts and the environment.
Enough rules already ... now get out there and have a swell time!
Gotta-have Gear:
Add these items to your shopping list once you’ve splashed out on your sea kayak …
Paddle: A good paddle generally consists of an aluminium or wooden shaft with blades manufactured of either fibreglass, resin, carbon fibre or a composite of these. It is important to choose a paddle suited to your body geometry, so opt for one approximately 1.25 your height (if you stand next to it and reach up, you should just be able to curl your fingers around the blade). The lighter your paddle, the better (but make sure it is rigid enough to ensure you gain maximum power from your stroke). Finally, you don’t want to lose your paddle, so always secure it either to yourself or to your boat with a leash.
Personal Flotation Device: A PFD or life jacket is as important as your paddle and you should never set off without wearing one. Opt for a brightly coloured model to make you more visible during an aqua emergency, check that it has crotch straps to avoid it riding up and make sure that it comes with fully adjustable body straps to ensure a good fit. A whistle is a must.
Wet Wear: If paddling in a sit-in kayak (or hybrid), you will need to invest in a spray-skirt, basically a neoprene or nylon cover which fits around your waist and stretches over the kayak cockpit to make it waterproof and protect your lower body from exposure to the elements. If you’re on a sit-on kayak, especially during the colder winter months, a neoprene wet suit or a waterproof paddling jacket will be money well spent. And don’t forget a good hat or cap, a bilge pump, a throw-line (to be used during emergencies), a hydration pack and a mega-tube of sun screen lotion.
Sea Kayak Contacts:
A multitude of adventure operators facilitate sea kayaking excursions along South Africa’s vast coastline, but there is no need to limit yourself to local waters. Indian Ocean destinations such as Madagascar, the Seychelles and Reunion offer superb paddling, while the lakes along Africa’s Rift Valley guarantee awesome adventures along the continent’s inland ‘oceans’.
1) Head to the West Coast to discover the unique marine environment and rich bird life of the area with West Coast Guided Trails. Day-trip onto the Langebaan lagoon or hit the waters of Cape Columbine Nature Reserve to play in the swells - contact Hannes Kleynhans on info@kayaktrails.co.za / (082) 926 2267.
2) Paddle the spectacular Cape Peninsula National Park from Simon’stown or Hout Bay, sharing the ocean with jackass penguins and southern right whales. Speak to Real Cape Adventures on (021) 790 5611 / johan@mweb.co.za or contact Ugene Nel on info@quantumadventures.co.za / (082) 658 3078.
3) The 115 islands in the Seychelles group offers a multitude of exotic paddling locations along vibrant coral reefs and secluded beaches set within a sensuous, tropical getaway atmosphere. Most of the resort hotels on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue Islands offer kayaks free of charge to their guests - get info Toll-free on 080000 4354 or at www.aspureasitgets.com
Recreational paddlers and commercial operators may join RECSKASA [the Recreational and Commercial Sea Kayaking Association of South Africa] by phoning (082) 3445598
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