White Nile, UGANDA

AFRICA!

This is, by far, one of the most remarkable (if not THE most) paddling destinations in the world. As I alluded to earlier, this was somewhat of an impulse trip, but it was so worth it, and I'm hell bent on going back before the Silverback section is dammed. In the time that we were there the rapids were already changing from blasting. Nothing short of a tradgedy (I know, I sound dramatic).

So let me tell you about the White Nile... it's MASSIVE. From the moment you get on the water, it's a bit like staring down Great Falls, a dozen or more different channels, so it's imperative to go with someone who knows the ropes. Luckily there are a plethora of kayakers, so it's easy to meet fun people and rally.

I don't think words can do justice to exactly what goes on at the Nile, so here is some eye candy to get your visuals in juicin'.

Monica dropping into Bujigali Falls, one of the epic rapids soon to be drowned. Photo: Daryl Balcombe

The mighty UK's Pete Smith drops into Bladerunner, one of the back channels about 2 minutes before a massive thunderstorm. Photo: MonicaG

Francie takes a boda boda back to camp... she was office queen. Nile locals are fun people, they can drink a whole lot of booze. Photo: Andy McMurray

We took one day off of paddling to visit an orphanage that Alison had been volunteering at. It was definitely a memorable experience. There are about 15 kids who live with Susan and Jeoffry, a Ugandan couple who take in kids off the streets and who've been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. The orphanage also includes a number of widows, who help look out for the children. Everyone makes paper beads and weaves straw mats to help generate income for the small community, but they still rely heavily on foreign benevolence to feed everyone. We learned how to make traditional African samosas (mmm about 120 of them in fact) which made for full bellies by the end of the day!

Nini and her fan club, haha! Photo: MonicaG

Making paper beads! They come out really pretty though, don't they? I tried the weaving but I was pretty shit at it... the mats are beaut'iful! Photo: MonicaG

The kids are amazing. They're so loving, so generous with affection that they can't help but sneak their way into your heart. Geoffry, age 2. Photo: Nini Bhondus

On the Nile there are two key sections, Silverback and 'Day 2'. Silverback has better rapids, humungo! Day 2, however, is home to the infamous Hairy Lemon and Nile Special wave. The wave is INCREDIBLE. I would definitely say it's faster than Skook.

Have a look at Leigh throwing down---see? It's a biggun'.... better each'chyo breakfast o' beans & chapati!! Photo: MonicaG

It's a big challenging to get on, and has a shoulder that kicks like a donkey. Needless to say, the feeling of bouncing big on the wave is incredible. It's one of the first times that I've been able to clearly see my progression in playboating... I'm usually pretty shit at it. More than ever I'm stoked for Center Chute to be in upon return home... look for some baby blunts and backstabs! Yeeehaw!

Monica loving the Nile, bounce bounce baby, make it graaaavy. Photo: Andy McMurray

Hopefully the photos explain themselves... Uganda is a very special place. Very very special. I'm definitely planning to go back... you know when i make millions of dollars and stuff. But really, what a sick place. Get there, friends. Get there.

Leigh leaves us with a final message. Don't forget it peeples. Photo: Andy McMurray

THIS IS AFRICA

...i miss the rains down in Africa...

PeakUK Himalayan Whitewater Challenge & 'dem Nepali Girls!

The 8th Annual PeakUK Himalayan Whitewater Challenge - woweee! this was definitely one of the best kayak events I have ever been to. EVER. it rivals Gauleyfest in every respect -- good music, good people, wild parties... but what was even better was the sick-ass event format. Here's the other catch... for all three events (Extreme Slalom, Freestyle, and Downriver Racing) you can only elect ONE KAYAK. By default I had the Nomad 8.5, and she steered me pretty well!

Check out the scene, hells yeah!

Day 1 was an Extreme Slalom on the Trisuli River, and the course was amazing. It was extremely challenging and the competitors who did best were the ones who simply completed all the gates without drama. I was lucky enough to tweak out third place in this one... I can definitely say that this is my favorite kind of kayak race, good stuff!

Day 2 was the much anticipated freestyle event. This is the highlight of the event. The Nepali competitors especially train for this all year. The first prize for Nepali Men(and for the first time ever, Nepali Women) is a brand spanking new kayak -- which adds up to mucho ruppees!

Unfortunately I was eliminated in the first round of this one... but Christie-cakes did a big-ass loop in her Nomad to lock-down 2nd place in the Freestyle --- womp womp putting the guys to shame!

Lilli and Christie in the eddy getting ready to dance

The freestyle event really showcased just how far all the Nepali Women have progressed since Christie and I first met them all in Kathmandu for swimming lessons. For only having kayaked for a few weeks, these girls dropped into one pretty big hole for the sake of the competition; mad props!

There is a documentary in the works on the Nepali Girls program... the cameraman takes note of any pre-comp jitters.


AND, what was probably the most exciting part of the day was PeakUK paddler Babu paraglided into the event course while in his kayak. As soon as people saw him coming in by air I think every Nepali within a mile radius ran to the landing zone to welcome him in like a celebrity. Hahaha, only in Nepal! If I ever go back to Nepal, I'm definitely going to do this flying thing!

It's a bird... no, it's a plane... no! It's Babu!


And last but not least, everyone was hung-over for Day 3, the downriver race. This event was also pretty great, haha, the start consisted of running down a beach to your kayak, then launching as fast as possible into a 12k stretch of river. The finish line is similar... you have to run across with your kayak (no small feat after paddling like a bat out of hell). I guess I was a little less hungover than the rest, because I managed to finish first. Good deal, that deserves a beer I think. Or 10.

Susmita, one of the Nepali Girls who went on to win the whole event, actually beat some of the Nepali Junior Men. High fives all around! Kaaaa-pow! That's amazing, really... one of the rapids in the race was pretty stout. Coming into it I was thinking "Shit this is the type of thing I usually scout"... and the girls styled it!

Susmita with a characteristically big smile -- proud new owner of a red Jackson 2Fun! Photo: Whitney Hansen


And, since the downriver race definitely wasn't enough, we managed to assemble an all-girls team for the raft race! The raft race was on a slightly longer stretch of river and entailed a mandatory flip below the spectator bridge. Nini Bhondus, from Norway, was our Captain and kept us going fast whilst chanting "Boys, and Beer. Boys, and Beer" for every stroke. Hahahaha funny cats out here in Nepal, lol. And I guess we weren't really going that fast... but we weren't last!

Anywhoo, can't thank the PeakUK and Mountain Dew folks enough for throwing down such an amazing event. This is exactly what I needed to tucker me out for the 48 hour land bus from Kathmandu to Delhi... lol.

Nepali and International Girl Kayakers during their 10-day 'boot camp' on the Sun Kosi... massive group! Many thanks (and pats on the back) for those who donated their gear/money. This has really been an incredible program! Photo: Whitney Hansen

The Mack

Well, I got to open one of my Christmas presents early today, and was very exited to find a new drytop! Of course i wanted to test it out so we headed out to Potomac's own Center Chute hole. Being 2 degrees above freezing and the water not much warmer this was quite a first test for my new level six mack. And yet it passed with flying colors. It turns out the reason i got so much water in my boat was because of my old drytop. Well the mack fixed that. Even though i flipped probably over 20 times doing mcnastys, loops, backstabs, and windowshades, when i finally took my drytop off I was still completely dry underneath. And only about 5 drops of water managed to get into my boat.
Other than the neck gasket the Level Six Mack is the most comfortable drytop out there. Though i don't know any one who can make a top of the line drytop with a comfortable neck gasket. When your paddling you can barely recognize that you have a drytop on. The wrist gaskets are awesome, they are so easy to take off and without any hurt. The seal around your skirt is amazing, once you tighten the straps the rubber seals it up and no water can get in. So if your looking for a new drytop that's comfortable and near completely waterproof, check out the Level Six Mack.
Merry Christmas
Jordan P