However, river boarding can be a dangerous sport and the fact that Roche is going solo, turns up the risk level of his journey through rapids and down waterfalls a couple of notches.
This 30-year-old ex-Kwagga has been working as a river rafting guide on expeditions in Africa, Europe, America and Iceland for the past 12 years. He has been contemplating this expedition on the Orange River for some years now, and, inspired by South Africa's adventure dynamite Mike Horn's solo Amazon River expedition, decided to actually take the plunge. His trek will be more than a personal challenge. He will be part of a joint effort with the Up with Down's School in George to raise funds for a home for adults with special needs, a project dubbed 'Bigger than Us'.
Roche hopes to inspire people to sponsor every kilometre he covers and while he is doing battle with the forces of nature, the school will be staging fundraising events in George, including a swimming gala for the children.
The expedition
Kempston Motor Group George will be sponsoring an Isuzu 4x4 to help Roche and the support crew navigate their way through the tough terrain and to get as close to the drop-off point as possible. After that it will be a 40km hike to the source of the river at Mount Aux Sources, 3 000m above sea level in the Drakensberg.
Once there, he is on his own, but thanks to technology he will be able to keep contact with civilisation. His gadgets include an iPad, cellphone and the latest version of GoPro (video camera), all powered by a sun panel.
Roche will be swimming with his full kit - including a tent and water pump - strapped to his back, so packing is a challenge in itself. "Every gram counts. It's all about the lightest and strongest equipment. I'll be taking along five days' food supplies and by the end of that I hope to be able to reach the nearest village on foot to stock up. There are various small settlements along the way in Lesotho. And once I get past the dams, there are farms along the river where I might get a plate of lekker boerekos now and then," he laughs.
He uses 1:50 000 topographical maps, which are so detailed that he will be working from 30 maps for this one expedition.
His gear includes a specialised flotation jacket and a second-skin with padding to protect extremities such as knees and elbows. A pair of hi-tech fins will help him cover long stretches of flat water, such as the Gariep and Van der Kloof dams. "The Gariep is 100km long and it will take me about five days to cross," says Roche. He hopes to reach the river mouth in four months, covering 500 to 600km per month, or an average of 20km per day. If the flow of the river is slow, it can take six months to get to the mouth.
"I have already mapped out emergency exit points, but being a medic I am fortunate that I can take along specialised medical equipment."
In the meantime, Roche is following a tough training programme in between freelancing for ER24. "I have been river boarding with weights on my shoulders in rivers like the Kaaimans, I swim long stretches in flat water and do trail running, especially steep trails such as up George Peak." By supporting this brave-hearted adventurer in his quest, Georgians support Up with Down's School. Visit the Up with Down's website at www.upwithdowns.co.za and click on the Facebook link 'Bigger than Us' for more information, or phone the school on 044 870 8770.
All proceeds go to the Up with Down's Adult Home Fund. So far, Coastal Tool Hire, Kempston Motor Group and Digifusion have come to the fore with sponsorships.
The George Herald will keep readers updated on Roche's expedition next year.
Roche Schoeman in action in a kayak.
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