A River of Change.

It's sad times for the Nile. We knew it was coming and now it's here - at least the beginnings of it anyway. They are building the Bujagali Dam on the River Nile. What does this mean? Well that depends on your point of view.

For all us boaters out here and around the world it's a tragedy. We have already lost some great white-water. Ugly Sisters has gone. No longer does our favourite local play wave exist. The effect of this has meant a back up of the river and that in turn has made 'Total Gunga' a grade 1 bimble instead of what used to be (in my opinion) the best big Grade 5 on this stretch of water. So now we have huge amounts of water heading down Silverback. And I've got to say it's made it interesting!! A huge wave train with confused, messy, boily water. It is not a good idea to swim here as you will go down for a long time!!

Total Gunga? Not any more!

For Uganda this project is welcomed. 250megawatts of predicted power, really will be a saviour for the country. However we'll have to wait and see the real political impact of all this. With oil up north in Lake Albert - renewed conflict with the DRC - and heaps of other things going on in preparation for CHOGM this November, who knows how Uganda will fare.

Silverback, new and improved?!

All I know is some of my favourite white-water is being destroyed, and a noisy dirty building site is now on the banks of the Nile. Check out the photos - Total Gunga in the first and Silverback in the last.

I'm heading to Thailand this week for some creeking action up in the North. Myself, Sam Ward (UK) and Josh Nielson (NZ). We're hooking up with some of the local boys and it all looks set to be an epic adventure. Check here and www.dkayaking.net for updates on our travels and the rivers we find.

Happy paddling and Safe Travels!!

Fish Eagle