Uganda 2003
February
In February this year, Jane Robin and Dave went off to Uganda to paddle the White Nile. Later in the year Pete woods went there too. It seems to be becoming the premier destination for warm, big water playboating. An excellent trip report can be found here but below is a summary of the rapids from Dr Scott. Look out for the Zambezi report later in the year!
Rapid: Bujagali Falls Grade: 4 Description and line: A sequence of drops. A little tricky but no problem really. Go right. Play potential: Some small waves half way down. Rapid: The back wave. Grade: 3 Description and line: A few little waves, any line. Play potential: Nice little wave for blunts and spins. Rapid: Blade runner Grade: 5- Descrition and line: A drop which would be intimidating if you could inspect it. Far left, then a tricky ferry into some boily water. Play potential: None. Rapid: Easy rider Grade: 3 Description and line: Big wave, straight down the middle. Play potential: Fantastic steep green wave. Aerial moves possible. Rapid: Total Gunga Grade: 4+ Description and line: It's BIG! Mainline! Play potential: None. Rapid: Sibling rivalry Grade: 3 Description and line: Wavetrain, straight down the middle. Play potential: Steep wave, a little tricky. Rapid: Silverback Grade: 3 Description and line: The biggest wave train you've ever seen. Play potential: None. Rapid: Overtime Grade: 5- Description and line: Some holes followed by a rocky drop. Go left, then ferry right. Requires concentration. Play potential: None. Rapid: Retrospect Grade: 3 Description and line: Wavetrain, straight down the middle Play potential: None. Rapid: Superhole Grade: 3 Descrpition and line: Waves and holes, pick your way down. Play potential: Nice breaking wave for endless blunts and spins. Rapid: Itanda Grade: 6 Description and line: Sequence of the biggest holes you've ever seen in your life. Apparently the line is left then right. Play potential: Not for mortals, but some people surf the edge of the cuban. Rapid: Kalagala Falls Grade: 5- Description and line: Big intimidating waterfall. Go right. Play potential: Are you kiding? Rapid: Total Vengance. Grade: 4 Description and line: Big wave and hole. Go left. Play potential: Right hand shoulder. Aerial moves possible. Rapid: Hairy the dog Grade: 3 Description and line: This is so big there are boils on the face of the wave. Straight down the middle. Play potential: Not the best wave on the Nile as it's so out of control, but very amusing none the less. Rapid: Kula Shaker Grade: 3 Description and line: Wavetrain, straight down the middle. Play potential: Great green wave, unfortunately no eddy access. Rapid: Nile Special Grade: 3 Description and line: Big wave. Straight down the middle. Play potential: Awesome. Big moves possible here. Rapid: Mulalu Grade: 3 Description and line: Big wave. Straight down the middle. Play potential: Yet another fantastic spot for big wave moves.