Zip-lining an exhilarating experience

By Brian Hayward

I AM usually all talk when it comes to dare-devil sports such as bungee jumping – until it comes down to going through with it.

Luckily this was not the case when my wife Taryn and I decided to stop off at the Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures while on our trip through the area. Offered hikes, quad-biking, abseiling and a waterfall zip-line tour, we chose the latter, which we were told would take about one-and-a-half hours.

Similar to the popular tree-top canopy tours also held in the area, the zip-line tour sees one fully harnessed in protective gear and attached to two industrial-strength steel cables – one for use, the other for safety. Despite the overcast conditions and howling wind, it was calm and protected in the Kruis River valley where we were about to zip-line across a series of cascading waterfalls between deep gorges and rock faces.

The owner, Gabriel “Gawie” le Roux, purchased the land running along the banks of the Kruis River four years ago and immediately began developing the zip-line tours, eventually opening them to the public early last year. “I like to think I‘m not the owner of the land here,” said Le Roux. “I‘m the caretaker.”

This mantra seems to carry through with the zip-lining which sees sliders – complete with safety helmet, gloves and harness – zigzag from one side of the river to the other up to 50 metres above the river on eight cables up to 211m in length.

At each stopping point Le Roux took time to explain a little about the local ecology, pointing out indigenous and invasive species of plant and animal as well as the reason for the murky colour of the river water – apparently due to the tannins from the soil which drained into the water.

A unique attribute of the zip-lining is the stop-brake system used by each slider, allowing them to safely zip-line and brake mid-slide to take time to admire the beautiful scenery. Designed by the ex-army officer, the brakes are patented and are being sought by firms abroad for use in their high-adrenaline venture tours.

All-in-all the experience, priced from R250 per person, was thoroughly enjoyable and not at all frightening. Even Taryn, usually nervous when putting her life in the hands of others, was pining to go again. Our only advice would be to seek the thrill on quieter occasions, allowing for longer stop-offs at each point rather than being chased by a horde of thrill-seeking travellers.

Life