Hullett loves the challenge of coming unscathed through river rapids

Paddling in a kayak through river rapids will surely get Amy Hullett’s adrenaline pumping.

And with good reason. Those few seconds it takes to navigate through the fast-flowing water requires a cool head, natural skill and, at times, nerves of steel. It takes only one mistake for a boat to break or you to swim.

This is, however, why Hullett, a BSc Geography student at Tuks, loves river kayaking. Judging by her results, the 20-year-old is quite good at shooting rapids.

Last month, she was the women’s winner of the TRAC Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon for the second consecutive year. The “Croc” is held in awe by most paddlers as it is considered one of the most challenging rivers to paddle in South Africa. It is one of the reasons why many female paddlers opt not to do the Lowveld Croc.

According to Hullett, the rapids might not be the biggest but are technical.

“To shoot rapids takes practice. When racing through the rough water and tight turns, you never know what might lie ahead. You must learn to ‘read the water and how it moves while figuring out what it will do to your boat. It all boils down to finding the safest path between the rocks without damaging your boat or taking a swim.

“I often get it wrong. There is a saying amongst paddlers about never stopping to swim. It is part and parcel of river racing. I take the lessons learned from each swim to heart,” she said with a smile during a recent interview.

Hullett took up kayaking when in Grade 8 at Epworth School in Pietermaritzburg.

“All my friends did it, so I wanted to see what it was about. It did not take me long to fall in love with the sport. I am passionate about river racing. It is unique because you can explore places very few ever see. Recently, I went paddling with friends through the Vredefort Dome. I was amazed by the various rock formations and how the colour of the formations changed. If there is an opportunity, I would love to discuss it with my geology professor at Tuks,” she remarked.

Hullett has bragging rights to have competed in most of South Africa’s most significant river races. Quite regularly, she finds herself standing on a podium. This year, she and Neriyah Dill finished fourth in the women’s Dusi Canoe Marathon. They were the first under-23 crew.

Bridgitte Hartley, the former Tuks student who won a bronze medal during the 2012 London Olympic Games, is one of Hullett’s role models.

“Bridgitte is so humble and keen to help newcomers to the sport. Then again, most kayakers are humble. If they can help you, they will. Last year, during the Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, I asked Hank McGregor for advice. He immediately told me what the day’s dos and don’ts were,” she said.

The Berg River Canoe Marathon is one of the races still on Hullett’s bucket list.

“To be honest, I don’t yet have the courage to do it. It will take a mental mindset to get used to the idea of paddling 240 kilometres in four days. Remember, the Dusi is only 120km in three days,” she concluded.

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