Daredevils rough it up on the Orange River

The 1600 km road to Vioolsdrif was straight and flat; the river, on the other hand, was anything but.

St Dominic’s Academy Newcastle pupils showed off their wild side recently, travelling to the mighty Orange River.

After what seemed like two days of endless tarmac, the river soon offered its reward. The pupils camped under the stars for six nights and got up close and personal with the country’s most formidable rapids. “Rafting through the rough stuff was awesome. I got a real rush when I hit the white water,” said Grade 11 pupil, Garrick Bach.

The team rowed nearly 80 km in just under a week and still managed to do some exploring, hiking up one of the highest peaks in the area. Asanda Vilane couldn’t wait to share the details of the adventure with her family. “I conquered that mountain and paddled for six days; I think I’ve earned the right to brag a little!” she said.

The pupils visited an abandoned mine and panned for diamonds in the river’s legendary waters. “Children learn so much from this kind of experience. The wild is like a massive classroom, offering all kinds of lessons,” said teacher, Eian Marillier.

The adventurers were treated to some ‘food for thought’ at dinner. River guide, Sas Fick, filled nearly 20 bellies by whipping up some incredible creations in his mobile kitchen. Mr Fick and his assistant, Jan-Hendrik Coertzen, made everything from cottage pie to chocolate brownies on the open fire. “People think it’s tough to cook in the bush, but the first ingredient is good old-fashioned love and the second ingredient is heat- you don’t need much more than that.”

Mr Marillier accompanied pupils on their major trips over the past two years and says there’s plenty more to come. “We’ll keep chasing adventure because it’s part of the DNA here at St Dominic’s. Make no mistake, long roads always lead to good times.”