Camel International White Water Challenge SA Woman's team captain 1995

My J&B Rare team & I on the lip of Victoria Falls - at low water - and tackling Rapid No 5, more affectionately known as Stairway to Heaven, a fine grade 5 rapid and whether you get it very right or very wrong it doesn't matter, both ways will lead you straight to Heaven!

first ever female entrants, the Hunters Gold women's team at the 2nd International rafting challenge, the 1992 Toyota Frontiers Zambezi River Festival. Our team was one of the first two women's teams ever to enter and we came about 15th in a field of 30 men's teams. 

RMS Syfrets Commercial Property Broker specialising in commercial leasing. Opened Cape Town branch with Robert Walker and David Owen 

Commercial Property Broker specialising in commercial investment property 

Sporting Life - into the biggest grade 4+ section of the 20 odd km's of continuous grade 3/4 of the Bhote Kosi, Nepal, where we were invited by Ultimate Descents' David Allardice to safety kayak the film crew on the raft and were filmed by Action Asia for a documentary on tourism in Nepal.  

Sporting Life Magazine - so I let Bruce paddle my kayak for 1 day on the Bhote Kosi in Nepal so I could take slides of him - I was already totally adrenalined out from the most perfect paddle of my life the day before, I could not repeat it, so didn't try. Bruce in his bp pienk kayak after surviving a harrowing Morning Glory at rapid no. 4 

Picture of me in my Prijon Invader running the right hand run of the infamous Overland Truck Eater, rapid no 11, Batoka Gorge, Zambezi River 

Reference letter, part 2, from Susan Hull Bostwick, also president Deja Vu Tours and De Ja Vu Publishing Co, California, USA 

Reference letter from Susan Hull Bostwick, director of the Berkeley Psychic Institute 

Flock to Stanford and do it with the Birds!

THE BIRDING HIGHLIGHT OF 2005....................
We at Digivid are pleased to be asked once again inform you and your friends about the Stanford Glendower Bird Fair taking place from 6-9 October 2005.
This year there is something for everyone to enjoy from guided birding outings on foot, by car or 4x4, on horseback, on a boat or in a kayak to a Saturday evening Sunset Concert and Dinner, featuring the well-known Rooi Baardt from Clarens at the Birkenhead Brewery.
Happenings during the long weekend include a bird art exhibition and bird talks as well as a vibrant street festival, competitions, whisky and wine tasting, assorted products and homemade food stalls. Saturday's children programme will include the making of bird feeders and basic bird identification. Bird ringing demonstrations shall take place on the banks of the Klein River, which flows right down to the Walker Bay Whales! The ‘Fynbos and Bird’ interdenominational church service and choir performance shall be held on the Sunday, followed by the famous brunch - safari at Mosaic Farm.
2005 sees the launch the Marine Littering Project and all proceeds go towards the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Visitors will be treated to the rich and diverse bird life found in our area including a number of special and endemic species, such as the Blue Crane, South Africa’s National Bird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rockjumper and Cape Siskin, Victorin's Warbler, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Black Harrier, Cape Penguin and African Black Oystercatcher. A complete bird checklist and maps of the Overberg birding routes will be available at the fair.
Stanford and the surrounding area offer a variety of B&B’s, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation. Find further information or assistance in planning your long weekend visit Stanford Tourism Bureau or call 028 341 0340.
A few Digivid recommendations are Lavenders Blue, Fair Hill Country House, Stanford River Cottages, Bezuidenhout House, Blue Gum Lodge and Galashiels Lodge. Additional recommended upmarket accommodations are La Fontaine Guest House in Hermanus and Cliff Lodge in De Kelders.
The Stanford Glendower Bird Fair certainly seems set to be another fixture on the ‘must do’ calendar in the Western Cape, so why not break the habit of a lifetime and Flock to Stanford and do it with the birds!

Captain SA Women's White Water Team

I was invited to be Captain of the women's South African White Water team in 1995 to compete in the Camel International White Water Challenge held on the Zambezi River in the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls.
I am kneeling in front in the green & blue. The front three of us, Mandy Jane and myself are Capetonians, the back three looking at the camera are from Gauteng. Sonja in the red top is an Australian we borrowed who river guided in South Africa with me for a number of years.

The competition included:

• Downriver race (+/- 23 km section) consisting of approximately 20 grade 4 and 5 rapids rated amongst the largest in the world.
• 1km sprint through a rapid called "Stairway to Heaven" - the largest commercially run rapid in the world, which 2 years previously had been graded 6 and therefore unrunnable.
• Slalom course through a section of 4 rapids cdulminating in Rapid No 13, affectionately known as "the Mother"

Our team competed against 30 men's teams from around the world and there was one other women's team - a combined British/Scottish team. Of course, they trained together for some 6 months, sponsored by the British govt. so were able to beat us hardy South Africans into second place. - only just, mind you! I know it doesn't sound like it, but winning to me is certainly not what it is all about! Being at an International sporting event where the passion for paddling is unanimous is nothing short of mind-blowing... Our team was also second in the team spirit award, much to the chagrain of the Russian Team. Again, we were pipped to the post by the South African men's team who, together with their sponsor Kahlua, shared much team spirit with their delicious and free-flowing liquer! Go Boyz... PARTY ON!