Zandvlei Trust

Peninsula Paddle Expedition on 23rd May 2010.

Princessvlei stop over for some water quality education.

The RAPCAN children were brought to Princessvlei to paddle in canoes for the first time ever on a water body, and to welcome and meet the Peninsula Paddlers. They had a quick crash course on water safety and were instructed how to paddle canoes safely by the Gravity Adventures Team who took them out on the water.
There was much excitement and anticipation for this fun occasion.

The children from Capricorn, part of the RAPCAN ( Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) project with the Andrew Kellet of the Gravity Adventures in the green shirt.

Having a look at prolific hyacinth water weed.

These 2 guys were having fun trying to work out which paddle goes in where
to make "the thing" go forward or backward.

A lovely view of the mountains above Kirstenbosch and back Devils Peak in the centre.

Practising paddling so they can go out and meet the expedition team.

And here they come.........

Meeting them in the middle of the vlei. The Vlakenberg in the background. 
Constantia Nek just to the right.

A happy Trevor and Alistair arriving.

Kevin coming in.

....and Thomas.

Kevin introduced himself and explained what he was going to be doing with the group.

He wanted 4 groups and numbered all so they could get into the groups.

Making sure they all understand the number system.

Handing out the test tubes.

The other members of the teams listening what is going to happen during
the experiment. The experiment was just to illustrate how rainwater collects
nutrients when it runs over hard surfaces (roads, paving stormwater pipes
and cannals) before entering vlei wetlands and estuaries.

The designated member filling the tube to the marking,
so they all start with the same amount of water.

Yes that is the right amount.

Checking they get exactly the right amount.

Cutting the tops off the packet of crystals to check for phosphates in the water.

Mixing the contents of the tubes and checking to see if there
is any visible colour change.

They have their test box into which the tube goes.

The colour reference disc used in the box next to the tube,
to compare the degree of blue colour indicating
high (dark blue) or low (pale blue) phosphate content.

Candice Haskins (City of Cape Town - Water Quality Specialist) has arrived
and is listening to and observing the water quality lesson.

Candice being welcomed by Kevin and Thomas.

Puting the tube into the box.

Holding the white paper up in the background to get a good colour comparison.

This team hads seen the water change to a blue colour. The indication the is
nutrients in the water (phosphates are a fertilizer for plants).

This team also indicates a change to blue colour.

Videoing the results of the test.

Next was a demonstration to show what happens to stormwater
pipes when runoff water enters them. He has a mouth full of drinking water.

3 children had water (clean drinking water) poured into their mouths and they used special straws which turned the water a purple colour when they released the water and blew it into the basin via the straws.
The straws had potassium permangenate in them.

Next experiment was to half fill 3 tins, one with sand, one with 
small stones and third with toilet paper. These were going to
demonsrate filtering capabilities of the different mediums.

Each tin got 5 test tubes of water poured in. Then the water which came
through the hole in the bottom went into the test tube. The tubes got a packet
of the crystals added, then shook up for the few mintes to see which medium
was the best filter.
The one with the small stones seemed to work best.

Thomas answering some questions from this enthusiastic boy.

Candice addressed the group and explained what the City does as far as stormwater
runoff and the monitoring of water quality in the rivers and vleis. She explained the diference
between sewerage pipes and stormwater piping systems. Many people do not understand
the difference, or how they can potentially be interconnected.
She handed out some brochures which helped explain some does and donts to help
keep the water ways and vleis as clean as possible.

Candice answering a question.

One of the brochures. Read the content.

There is some interesting information in those brochures.

The wives, mothers,  organisers, reporters, sponsors, in the background.

The RAPCAN leaders and teacher mentors watching and listening in the background. 

RAPCAN  members at the Gravity tent.       The busy videographer setting up once again.

A father and son fishing on a Sunday morning.

Even the Flying Squad came to see what all the activity was about.

The Educo bus carrying the "back crew  / team" and equipment along the way.

One of the main sponsors Gravity Adventures with all the canoes and safety equipment.

The last part of the lesson the children are going to use the bird identification
charts (being held up) to see what birds they can identify on the waterbody
and record for an audit. (See how the weather had changed very quickly,
the wind had started blowing strongly bringing clouds on the mountain).

.......and they are off again, escorted by the "new paddlers" to the north east end
of the vlei and up the canal.