The Paddler ezine WW kayak collection 2013 | Page 68

ThePaddler 68

the wind. Unfortunately I lost this battle at the
second wave, resulting in the rest of my run
being a test of the capacity of my lungs to hold as
much oxygen as possible!
Rolling up at the end, after I had felt the third and
fourth waves crash on top of me, I glanced behind
me and was truly awed by what I felt I had
accomplished. Not being the most talented boater
it was an achievement for me to run silverback
and not swim, I was so proud I didn’t have to
down any swim beers that evening!
Ultimately, what saddens me most about the
loss of Silverback is the raw natural power
of the rapid (I once saw it suck a rocker
helmet off someone when they’d gone
over!) which has now vanished. With the
benefits a dam can bring to a
community, it seems selfish of me to
lament the loss of one rapid, when
thousands if not more people will gain
from its disappearance. Yet a small part
of me mourns the fact that from now
on, no boater will have the truly
extraordinary experience of paddling
Silverback that I feel honoured to have
been able to be part of.

Uganda hopes to
see you soon!

S

Dave Burne proves there are still rapids left to scare yourselves on!