RESURGENCE A ZAMBEZI REVIVAL

There might be no better kayaking laboratory than the big, yet friendly waters of the Zambezi’s Batoka Gorge. Though the Zam has fallen out of favor in recent years due to its lack of park’n’huck or park and play, Bren Orton reminds us what generations of kayakers have known: There is no end to the potential of the Zambezi. Big water, multiple line choices, and a pool below each rapid, the Zambezi can challenge the intermediate paddler and the best of the best. This past winter, Orton, Dane Jackson, and Adrian Mattern returned to Victoria Falls with half-slice kayaks, teaming up with photographers David Sodomka and Dewet Michau to showcase why the Zam is making a comeback.

Words: Bren Orton

There are lots of things about this planet that amaze me. Not least that I can leave a cold, dark, England in December, travel halfway around the world, and suddenly be enveloped in warm water and prime levels. What an incredible concept! There is no lack of destinations to choose for the winter escape, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, to name but a few. One of the places that has me returning year after year is the recently remembered Zambezi River. When I say remembered, I don't mean that it was ever forgotten. But, as the sport specialized into more and more niche categories, ICF freestyle, big wave freestyle, creeking, racing, free fall, etc., the Zambezi fell by the wayside for the simple reason that it doesn’t fall into one category. It doesn't…

You're reading a preview of

Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2020

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.