Adrian Tregoning

On the 9th of June a bunch of us were able to score the Witte in glorious sunshine. Because this river has its source only about 9 or 10 kilometres upstream of where we put in, the level drops fast once the rain stops and hence one usually has an overcast run. But not on that day!

The level was not too bad, it could have been worse. The rock was sticking out by about 5 to 7cm I would guess. Not ideal, but still enough not to get stuck anywhere and have a very sweet run on this gem of a river. Our group consisted of long time Witte paddler Peter Ridgway, Ant Hoard, Abrie Swanepoel, and Fluid Team paddlers Scott Reinders, Craig Rivett and myself. Scotty was in the new medium Fluid Detox and this would be his first run down. Needless to say, he is stoked with the boat! There isn’t much else to say about the trip as we had no major incidents and the photos and their accompanying captions will tell their own story. Observe.

Put in of the Witte. Craig Rivett on the left wearing shorts. And no, it’s not warm, not at all! The air was a steady 8 degrees C the whole day and the water must be around 5 degrees. 

Scott Reinders sliding down in the new Fluid Detox.

Adrian Tregoning making sure to boof to avoid pain. Photo by Ant Hoard.

Craig Rivett in the foreground on the lead in to a rapid I call Go Right or Die. 

Peter Ridgway on the rapid I call Go Right or Die. If you go left, there are 3 siphons there. It is exceptionally nasty. Be careful. One person has passed through there, somehow. I’ve scouted in summer and the passages are tight. Abrie Swanepoel on Go Right or Die and finishing off the slide part below it.

Scott Reinders with his run of Go Right or Die. 

Adrian Tregoning on the end part of Go Right or Die. Photo by Ant Hoard.  Ant Hoard through the Narrow Gates further down and smiling away! Happy days for us!!!

Scott Reinders cruising through too. And Abrie Swanepoel too. Fun rapid, if not a touch tricky at times :-)   

Ant Hoard on Pilkington Falls. 
Scott Reinders and the Detox probing Pilkington.   Adrian Tregoning on a second run of Pilkington. Photos by Ant Hoard.

Peter Ridgway easily cruising down the 30m slide. Ant calls this rapid the fastest rapid in the world. Well, it is damn fast… Ideally done upright.

Group shot with Ant leading the way down the 30m slide.

Adrian Tregoning on the entry to the 30m slide. Photo by Ant Hoard.  Adrian Tregoning flying down the 30m slide. Photo by Ant Hoard.

Adrian Tregoning with a clean run of Double Drop. I think this was my best run of this much feared rapid yet. I don’t know why people always portage it. Swimming from that bottom hole would not be so bad as it’s one of the biggest and best pools right below. Photos by Ant Hoard.

Craig Rivett on Double Drop.

Abrie on the lead up to Double Drop. Abrie going for the kick flip off the lip, not. First time he’s messed up this rapid, and what a bummer we got it on camera! No swim though. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Abrie swim. Well, not yet anyway.

Scotty and his Fluid Detox.

Ant Hoard finishing off Double Drop. Peter Ridgway running the two drops of the Two Teacups just before the long slide down.

Ant Hoard on the Two Teacups.

Ant finishing off the bottom of Two Teacups.

Scott Reinders at the bottom too. 

Craig Rivett showing the double peace sign on the slide part of Two Teacups.Abrie about to finish Two Teacups.

Adrian in the middle of Two Teacups. Photo by Ant Hoard. Shot for all the photos Ant!!! Much appreciated!

Craig on the final slide. Photos by Abrie Swanepoel.  Adrian also on that final side. Photos by Abrie Swanepoel.   

Hope you enjoyed the photos! I have way more articles lined up from both the rivers and much more surf kayaking action. Take it easy…

Photography by: Adrian Tregoning. Unless otherwise stated.
Words by: Adrian Tregoning.