Where the Wildfoot Seed was Planted
2012: The seed was planted - At 13 years old I went on a 4-day river trip with my family. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and I found the paddling easier than even some of the adults did. The river guides were a big part of what made the experience so enjoyable. With their tanned bodies, messy hair, and adventurous stories, it was clear that these guys knew how to enjoy life, something to admire for sure!
There was a moment during this tour where one of the guides complimented me on my paddling technique and told me that one day when I am older I should also come work on the river as a guide. I remember how flattered I was, by this suggestion from this ‘cool’ river guide….Shout out to Pete, for this was the moment the seed was planted which grew into Wildfoot Adventure Safaris today.
2015: From here we fast forward to Cola at 16 years old - After two years of sending emails before every school holiday, I finally got a response from a river company that welcomed me as a freelance guide during the school holidays. Thinking back it is totally understandable that I did not get a response as I was only a young teen. Years after I found out that I only got a response because the company had a booking for a group of 120 18-year-old scholars, who required the company to have a female guide aboard (which they did not have).
The next challenge was to convince my parents that it was a good idea for their daughter to go work at a place known to have charming, tanned, strong men….and no other woman. Today I completely understand why it was so difficult for my parents to agree to send me to the river for a month.
My arrival was already nerve-wracking with thoughts of doubts like, “Will I be able to paddle a guided boat” and “Will I fit in with the guides who are all older than me”. I told my father to just drop me at the reception with all my camping gear and leave because I was embarrassed to arrive at work with my dad. He agreed and left (on a 400km journey home). I tried convincing the receptionist that I was here to work, but she did not believe me and sent me to the owner, a short, scary Portuguese man. When I told this man that I was here to work for the season, he took one long look at me from toe to head, with a seriously confused face, and said “You are too small to work as a guide”. (Keep in mind that this particular kind of guiding requires you to paddle far distances on a boat packed full of supplies for 4 days, kitchen and toilet equipment, firewood, fresh water, etc., as well as be responsible for guest safety and staying ahead of guest who is paddling 2 people in lightly packed boats, - a physically challenging job with big responsibilities!). I told him about my email conversations with the head guide, and eventually, the Portuguese man agreed to let me sleep on the lawn for 2 nights until the head guide returned from a river trip.
The time eventually came for Wula (head guide) to return from the river and he probably explained to the owner that they NEEDED a female guide for the student trip coming up. I was then finally properly welcomed with some initiation pranks and given all the ‘fowl’ jobs like carrying the toilets, getting up early to make the fire, making coffee for the senior guides, and more. The 4 days with 120 students and around 20 guides was one of the most difficult things I have done, in many aspects; I took a massive leap out of my comfort zone to pitch up at this wild river full of wild people. This was only the first of many many river adventures I’ve had the privilege to have. I went back to the river every school holiday since, and still try to visit and casually guide when I have free time.
This place taught me so much about life, people, nature, and most importantly - myself. The river and my mentors there are the biggest reasons why Wildfoot exists today, it is the place where I found inspiration for the passion I have today.
I hope you enjoyed our first blog post!
In the upcoming blog posts, I will tell more stories about how I grew as a guide and nature lover, the people and places which has inspired me, as well as interesting wildlife and conservation stories. Stay tuned.