I have seen the kayakers out on the ocean for years, and always think, oh I really want to do that. I just somehow have never got it together. So when Theresa Gibbon, PR guru for Cape Country Routes (CCR) and CCR member Gravity Adventures, invited me on a little kayak trip setting off from down the road at Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town, I said OF COURSE.
And then I started worrying. What if I capsize, what if I get seasick and what if a whale tips me over - actually I would not mind that one, great story - but also, what if I can’t do it. But once I said yes I was in it and so I read the instructions, put on sunblock and a bikini, threw off my shoes, and arrived with a great attitude.
Yay, finally going kayaking.
First, we had a briefing although I had done my homework. I already knew about winding my torso, slicing my blade and formulating a float plan, and Gravity Adventures were pretty thorough in explaining how to kayak and also, how not to kayak. The truth is, it comes naturally and so once we were out on the water, it was a breeze.
They use good quality kayaks. And have great guides.
We all had such good rowing skills, wink wink I had a fabulous partner, that we got far out quite quickly. And it felt still, beautiful, totally safe, adventurous and magnificent. Just us, the ocean, rolling waves, a whole lot of seabirds, a few seals, ships, and maybe, I think so, dolphins in the distance.
While I had thought about dolphins, whales and also, about getting my bum wet, I had not though about how incredible it would be to see Cape Town, the mountains, the Waterfront, the stadium, and of course all of Seapoint and town, from a different perspective. It was so cool being out in the water, such a feeling of freedom, and looking at Cape Town’s sights. I loved watching the birds swoop down in a feeding frenzy, and also, it was fantastic slicing my blades and winding my torso!
Fab but fun exercise.
We were out for about two hours and it was a hot day so that was perfect. I know you can do this same trip from Simonstown where you get to see penguins, and swim with them, and you can do it from Hout Bay too. I would do any or all, it is totally fabulous!
At the end of the trip, I was RAVENOUS. I walked into Kleinsky’s, a nearby deli, ordered a double Reuben sandwich, pastrami and cheese, so good, extra chips, and pickles, and sat, with my wet bum, marvelling at what I had just done.
You can do it too!
Contacts:-
Gravity Adventures - Gravityadventure@gravity.co.za / 082 692 4399
Cape Country Routes - www.capecountryroutes.com
Thandeka Africa - thandeka@icon.co.za
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