The Paddler ezine WW kayak collection 2013 | Page 9

This was a fantastic achievement

and highlight of
the expedition for us, particularly to be done
with a local boy. Following this we continued to
explore the area and ran two sections of equally
top standard, above and below the impressive St.
Clairs falls on the Kotmale River. Things weren’t
always rosy in Sri Lanka, and the need for energy
to drive Sri Lanka’s economy often gave the
expedition a set back, but as Dave describes, this
time we were fortunate, “Dam projects are
becoming an increasing problem for us searching
for new rivers to paddle. More than once we have
arrived at one, which looks, from the maps to
have a good catchment, good gradient and good
road access, but a mini hydro project has
thwarted our plans.

“One river we planned to paddle was the
Kotmale Oya. Parts of it have previously been
paddled by a group of Russians. This was before
the massive dam project, which is currently very
near to completion. Fortunately we managed to
get there before they completely stopped the
flow. Who knows, this could be a second and last
descent!

it was a first descent

his world-class (probably) first descent was made even
because for the first time in any of our paddling careers

with a team member from the host country.
ack, born in the village of Kitugala near the Kelani River,
paddled his third ever river with us. And nailed it!”

Thilack on the Upper Kelani near the Borderlands base. His
abilities on this river gave us confidence that he would be
capable of stepping up and joining us with our exploration.

ve St Clairs Falls was pretty cool and the full 15km of grade 4/5 made the section all the sweeter! This river just kept on giving!”

ThePa