Surprisingly there are not many hangovers in the morning, just a few walks of shame! Today is our chillout day as no-one could face the white water rafting the day after the booze cruise. Just a brief walk down to the Bujagali Falls next door with an entry fee of 3000 shillings. Unfortunately the plan to catch up on washing goes awry as a massive thunderstorm passes overhead giving an extra rinse to the clothes on the line. But its an early night for most of us as tomorrow is the Big Day.
Up early and I have the usual butterflies in my stomach before white water rafting. Most of our group are excited and keen to join the ‘crazies’ who flip the raft at every rapid. A few of us believe that the real skill is in getting through every rapid without flipping the boat so we decide to share a boat.
The sun is already high as we go through the briefing. The river is particularly high at the moment with some of rapids at Grade 6 which we are not allowed to descend. The safety briefing is excellent and our guide takes us through some exercises on what to do if the boat does flip. At least the water is warm. We will have safety kayaks at every rapid to collect any spills and a safety boat for anyone injured or losing courage along the way
Our guide is the manager of the company taking us and we will lead each rapid so she can supervise the others coming through. Going down the first rapid, it is apparent this is unlike any other river I have ever descended. The volume and speed of the water is immense and anyone tipped in is churned over and over before being spewed out the other end. It’s fun to watch the others tumbling over but I firmly believe it is a spectator sport.
In between rapids we have long quiet runs across mill pond waters. The rapids are steep drops into angry pools. Everyone is loving it until we reach the ‘Bad Place’. Jane negotiates our boat safely through. Others follow and without exception, we watch the boats fall in half as bodies tumble this way and that, all over the place. Some bob to the top straight away, whilst others seem to disappear under the foamy surface until we are almost convinced they are lost forever, just before they reappear 100m downstream. One boat, just keeps tumbling over and over in the same spot.
It’s amazing that of all the boats there is only one injury. Alice is still giggling and crying alternately but it looks like she’s dislocated her elbow. Ouch. Jane examines it and thinks it is only badly knocked. Alice is determined to continue in a ‘crazy’ boat and doesn’t want to go in the safety boat. Jane’s compromise is to come in our boat. A few swaps are done and we’re on to the next rapids
As we head into them, it’s obvious that we do not have enough strength to place the boat where it needs to be. Joshua and Jane and shouting at us to paddle faster and I know this is moment when we will flip. As the boat tips over, I hang on to my paddle and take a deep breath, knowing it may be some time before I get another chance. I just hope I won’t collide with anyone and wonder how Alice will manage with her hurt arm.
It feels like being in a washing machine as I tumble over and over until I’m not sure whether I’m up or down and I force myself to remain calm as I count the seconds till I surface. I just manage to grab a quick gasp as I churn over and over again, wondering where I’ll resurface, then I bob out. One moment of calm and I see Sarah with her arm stretched out to grab me as I let of my paddle. We are near the river edge and we think to grab some overhanging branches. Just then we are forced over another drop and I find myself tumbling over again. Distracted by the branches, I had not taken any air and I’m trying not to panic, reminding myself that I will resurface in seconds. I am still tumbling over and over as I feel myself hit something hard. Who said there were no rocks in the Nile? Will I ever get another breath? I surface, but not long enough to get air, just a lung full of warm water, before I’m churned over again. It’s not funny, and I don’t want to play anymore. Eventually, I resurface in some calmer water, but I can’t get my breath and everything hurts. The safety kayaks are some way away but I am spotted and I am quickly retrieved and taken to a nearby raft. As I’m hauled in, someone spots my knee in shreds but there’s only a dribble of blood. I’m still trying to get my breath and am unconcerned about the knee.
They take me to the safety boat where Jane dresses my knee with steristrips. Then she delivers the bad news that I’m going to have to run the rest of the rapids before they can get me to a doctor to get stitched up. Once on dry land, there's just time for a quick bite to eat and a well deserved refreshment (what else but a Nile Special?)before we go tracking . This time for a doctor.
Up early and I have the usual butterflies in my stomach before white water rafting. Most of our group are excited and keen to join the ‘crazies’ who flip the raft at every rapid. A few of us believe that the real skill is in getting through every rapid without flipping the boat so we decide to share a boat.
The sun is already high as we go through the briefing. The river is particularly high at the moment with some of rapids at Grade 6 which we are not allowed to descend. The safety briefing is excellent and our guide takes us through some exercises on what to do if the boat does flip. At least the water is warm. We will have safety kayaks at every rapid to collect any spills and a safety boat for anyone injured or losing courage along the way
Our guide is the manager of the company taking us and we will lead each rapid so she can supervise the others coming through. Going down the first rapid, it is apparent this is unlike any other river I have ever descended. The volume and speed of the water is immense and anyone tipped in is churned over and over before being spewed out the other end. It’s fun to watch the others tumbling over but I firmly believe it is a spectator sport.
In between rapids we have long quiet runs across mill pond waters. The rapids are steep drops into angry pools. Everyone is loving it until we reach the ‘Bad Place’. Jane negotiates our boat safely through. Others follow and without exception, we watch the boats fall in half as bodies tumble this way and that, all over the place. Some bob to the top straight away, whilst others seem to disappear under the foamy surface until we are almost convinced they are lost forever, just before they reappear 100m downstream. One boat, just keeps tumbling over and over in the same spot.
It’s amazing that of all the boats there is only one injury. Alice is still giggling and crying alternately but it looks like she’s dislocated her elbow. Ouch. Jane examines it and thinks it is only badly knocked. Alice is determined to continue in a ‘crazy’ boat and doesn’t want to go in the safety boat. Jane’s compromise is to come in our boat. A few swaps are done and we’re on to the next rapids
As we head into them, it’s obvious that we do not have enough strength to place the boat where it needs to be. Joshua and Jane and shouting at us to paddle faster and I know this is moment when we will flip. As the boat tips over, I hang on to my paddle and take a deep breath, knowing it may be some time before I get another chance. I just hope I won’t collide with anyone and wonder how Alice will manage with her hurt arm.
It feels like being in a washing machine as I tumble over and over until I’m not sure whether I’m up or down and I force myself to remain calm as I count the seconds till I surface. I just manage to grab a quick gasp as I churn over and over again, wondering where I’ll resurface, then I bob out. One moment of calm and I see Sarah with her arm stretched out to grab me as I let of my paddle. We are near the river edge and we think to grab some overhanging branches. Just then we are forced over another drop and I find myself tumbling over again. Distracted by the branches, I had not taken any air and I’m trying not to panic, reminding myself that I will resurface in seconds. I am still tumbling over and over as I feel myself hit something hard. Who said there were no rocks in the Nile? Will I ever get another breath? I surface, but not long enough to get air, just a lung full of warm water, before I’m churned over again. It’s not funny, and I don’t want to play anymore. Eventually, I resurface in some calmer water, but I can’t get my breath and everything hurts. The safety kayaks are some way away but I am spotted and I am quickly retrieved and taken to a nearby raft. As I’m hauled in, someone spots my knee in shreds but there’s only a dribble of blood. I’m still trying to get my breath and am unconcerned about the knee.
They take me to the safety boat where Jane dresses my knee with steristrips. Then she delivers the bad news that I’m going to have to run the rest of the rapids before they can get me to a doctor to get stitched up. Once on dry land, there's just time for a quick bite to eat and a well deserved refreshment (what else but a Nile Special?)before we go tracking . This time for a doctor.
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