Zandvlei Trust

Peninsula Paddle Expedition on 5th June 2011 - World Environment Day.

The start at Zandvlei.

The weather was not like last year, it was cold, dark and the rain was soon to come from the south and south west. To the east it promised to be a good day.

The spirit and enthusiam was high amoungst all at the car park at the estuary mouth.

A group of hardened sea kayakers from Simons Town and Fish Hoek arrived and were in the water waiting for all to get going. Most were first timers in Zandvlei, and they brought a canadian canoe to fill up with rubbish and litter for World Environment Day, while accompaning The Peninsula Paddlers to the portage point into the Sand River canal. They would explore Zandvlei after that.

Catherine Ritchie from WESSA getting all the participants to sign the register.

Sponors Muizenberg Putt Putt supplied the electricity for the Caffe Pronto coffees. Thank you it helped get all started and warmed up.

Last year participant Thomas Cousins (right)                     Alison Lee serving coffees to all needing it.
supprised all and Alistair Lee (left) by arriving at the start.
He had just arrived back from the USA.

On the other side of Royal Road bridge, the Sea Kayakers were getting ready and were in the water
before Paddlers group had their last briefing. Viv von der Heyden from ScenicSouth getting ready.

The canadian canoe was brought along to fill with what ever rubbish they could fit in.

Patiently waiting at the weir for the Paddlers to get going.

Last minute bags being filled with things to eat and drink along the way.

Kevin Winter and Glen Thompson going over some important points for the day and giving all encouragement.

Raphael Wolf (Southern Mail Community Newspaper) making notes with Karen Watkins (Constantia Bulletin Community Newspaper) before she started out on the Paddle.

A quick crossing at the mouth of the estuary for Kevin.

Ian Tilley jumped off the wall and was in.

Alistair Lee and Sam Braid about to launch with the dark rain clouds above.

The rear guard Stand Up Boarders Guy Bubb and Glen the last in.

Surfing the incoming tide into Zandvlei......

......and they are on their way. That is Devils Peak in the centre of photo, a marker which will become closer all day.

It started to rain quite heavily, fortunately it did not last too long.

The Paddlers are making their way past Park Island taken from the other end of Zandvlei 
at the Sand River confluence.

photograph by Kim Kruyshaar

Kim Kruyshaar from ScenicSouth (See the article she wrote) took this photo of a paninicking
Black Swan following its escourt the Coot.
That is the Telkom Eiffel Tower in Military Road.

They turned into the Marina canal so they did not have to negotiate the litter nets in the Sand River.

Arriving at the point to portage into the Sand River.

The escourt Sea Kayakers bidding the Paddlers well.

It is possble that this is the first time Zandvlei has had standup paddlers.

The proficient girl standup paddlers do it in their clothes. Tammy Gardner and Lindy Esterhuyse
in her clothes.

Taking turns to get out while others are chatting way to each other.

 Giving each other encouragement for the rest of the day.

Next into the Sand River canal......

See the litter removed by these first time visitors to Zandvlei.

Their part for World Environment Day. They escourted the Peninsula Paddlers to the Sand River canal when it was dark.
Jane and David Hofmeyer were part of the Black River to Milnerton Canoe Club section later in the day.

We filled 6 bags and then had the equivalent of another four in the form of plastic crates with bottles, a 25 liter paint bucket. Part of a TV housing and 3 x computer monitor housings.

photograph supplied by Kim Kruyshaar.

L to R - Jane and David Hofmeyer, Viv von der Heyden, Chris Kruyshaar, Kriss Barker, Kim Kruyshaar
            and Derek Goldman.

Thank you and very well done.