Paddling through a tropical paradise

THEY say the best way to see an island is to paddle around it – and that is exactly what Mtunzini teenager Quné Kleynhans will be doing these holidays.

Quné, a Grade 10 pupil at Epworth School, will be paddling around Mauritius in K2 kayaks with a group of other KZN teenagers, camp on beaches and generally soak up everything the beautiful beaches and translucent waters of Mauritius offers.

Starting off as a school trip, the adventure has now become a private excursion with 10 days of paddling, para-sailing, snorkelling, swimming, fishing and sightseeing.

‘I feel confident. I have been paddling for my school for a good few years now and I can’t wait to get going,’ said the adventurous youngster who feels that the excursion is far more of a holiday than a workout.

‘We have Les Willows on the team. He is the ideal tour guide, being an experienced paddler who knows the Mauritian coastline intimately.

Quné and her fellow paddlers will be moving in a clockwise direction, heading south down the east coast and will spend their first night camping on the beach on a remote island called Île aux Bernache.

Day 2 sees the group paddling for approximately three hours to their lunch spot on the beach in front of the St Gèran Hotel.

Days 3 and 4 involve more paddling, sightseeing and general exploration of the reef, while day 5 brings the adventurers to Blue Bay, an idyllic snorkelling location.

Day 5, 6, 7 and 8 will bring the group further around the island with day 9 putting them 2km off-shore to avoid shipping traffic. The day then ends with a trip by bus to Port Louise for a bit of shopping and some more sightseeing.

Day 10 involves a paddle past more tourist areas of the island as the group make their way to their final destination at Grande Gaube.

This is definitely a trip worth putting on any teen’s bucket list and a must for adventurers out there.