Justin, Phillip and Carl all completed their kayak guide qualifications this week. Even after trying to chop his finger off and sporting 14 stitches, Carl battled on. As the newest member of our crew this earnt him some nice little brownie points with the boys.
It isn’t all plain sailing, you have to be able to get back in once you fall out… easier than it looks.
As if that wasn’t bad enough they then were assessed whilst they took a group out on the water!
If you click for larger image you can see that the splashing is actually a crocodile running into the water...
But it wasn’t all on quiet, flat water, oh no…
Despite it being hard work they had great fun, although that water was pretty cold…
Note: Justin is smugly sitting nice and warm on the kayak as Phillip shivers and Carl drowns
With thanks to Andrew Kellett for assessing our guys.
ZWF News – More water for Lake St Lucia – ZO STORY: Dave Savides – 25/07/11
The mouth of the Mfolozi River has been opened to the sea by breaching the beach berm, to prevent back-flooding of low-lying sugar cane fields after recent heavy rains swelled the river, and to allow marine species to enter through the back channels
A new channel is being opened to increase the flow of fresh water from the Mfolozi River into Lake St Lucia. According to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, progress on the second back channel has been impeded due to the recent unseasonal heavy Winter rains and resultant muddy conditions, but excavation will continue once conditions improve. ‘The creation of the second channel linking the Mfolozi River to the estuary is a significant step in bringing relief to Lake St Lucia following the eight-year drought in north-eastern KZN,’ said Andrew Zaloumis, iSimangaliso Wetland Authority CEO. ‘It will assist in maintaining the viability of the St Lucia system and allowing the Mfolozi to naturally link into the St Lucia estuary as it did before man’s intervention. ‘Over the past 50 years, there have been numerous attempts to solve the problems that have arisen as a result of the changes to the Mfolozi catchment and St Lucia system. ‘It is evident that no quick fix solution is possible. ‘Using the best available science, we are implementing an ongoing, well researched management strategy to improve the ecological viability of the St Lucia system with its adjoining wetlands,’ said Zaloumis. ‘Based on the review of current scientific knowledge, particularly the recent research on the sources and dispersal of sediments, and an assessment of the status of the Lake St Lucia system, the Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths will be allowed to combine during the rainy season. ‘iSimangaliso is currently implementing a $9-million Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project which is developing a longer term solution to improve the hydrological functioning of Lake St Lucia by investigating alternative management options and selecting the most feasible solutions. ‘Ezemvelo staff are working with the iSimangaliso staff in implementing these new measures and we certainly look forward to seeing the results,’ he said.
A couple of days ago Justin, our lead guide, reported a string of floats spotted on the Estuary whilst on a paddle with guests.
With EKZN Wildlife officials we went out and recovered what ended up being a long gill net set by illegal fisherman.
After nearly an hour and a half of struggling with the net we managed to
release what we estimate to be around 500 fish back into the estuary. In the end there were only 10 dead fish we couldn’t save!
Great spotting Justin!
We are proud to announce that St Lucia Kayak Safaris has this week been awarded the new tender to operate the kayaking trips by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. This is the start of what will be a very exciting partnership with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.
The new tender includes exclusive new areas of operation like the restricted access area at Catalina Bay on the Eastern shores and for the first time ever, sea kayaking at Cape Vidal.
Looking forward to bringing you the brand new adventures! Watch this space!
Hi all! The sunshine and light, breezy afternoons have conspired to treat guests to amazing hippo sightings during the last week as we were lucky enough on one occasion to have 4 adult hippo in a very playfull mood- breaching, rolling and chasing eachother around in the water fairly close to our kayaks. On another occasion while parked on the banks of crocodile island, one hippo decided to get out onto the island for a graze, unperturbed by our presence. We did however back off slightly after he gave us a big yawn and a bit off a stare, making sure everybody knows who has right of way in and around the estuary! These sightings offered very good photographic opportunities, so if you were there please share your pics with us and you might win a Kayak Safaris T-shirt for your efforts!
Thanks for visiting the official website for St Lucia Kayak Safaris. Have you been on a trip with us? If so, we would love to see your photos and hear your comments.
Please add your feedback or story on the comments page.
Email us with your photos (under 3mb please) and the best ones received will win a T-shirt.
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/St-Lucia-Kayak-Safaris/125576237483889?v=wall
Thanks and best wishes from the Kayak Safaris team.
Things have been heating up as we enter what’s expected to be the hottest month of summer – as a result the reptiles have been quite active and some young Nile Monitor lizards can be spotted basking in vegetation on the sunny banks. Crocodile nesting season is in full swing and within the next few weeks the first hatchlings should start emerging; no doubt there will be a few very protective mothers around… And still on the subject of our scaly friends – a few guests were lucky enough to spot a 2m Forest Cobra crossing the road very close to our kayak lockers! The breeding-pair of White-backed Night-heron seems to be doing well and sightings on and around the nest are at the order of the day.
The crocs are fighting for position in the sunshine on the sandbanks which are slowly surfacing after a break in the heavy rains that saw us into the New Year. This makes for some brilliant sightings and photographic opportunities. Hippo sightings have been good as they are still making full use of the extra space available and always keeping an eye on us to make sure we keep the distance as there is a couple of young calves with the pod.
On the birding front, we were visited by a pair of Pygmy Geese on 25/01, there are a few breeding pairs of Green-backed Heron and also a breeding pair of the elusive White-backed Night-heron!
Liesbeth, Els, Sigrid and Nouchka on the snorkeling leg of their full-day kayak and snokel combo.
