We swam out across the deep river, kicking on our back with calves burning. Fish traps to the left and the ocean to the right, goggles over the head obscuring the sky. All it takes is to jump into the river near the mouth and be swept upstream by the tide watching tropical fish, reef, strange assortments of neglected human discards and the great reaches of underwater dunes flash past.
After four runs up and down the river I needed to get into the ocean. Diving into the warm water with a wetsuit and fins was physical nostalgia. I became a child again. Bodysurfing right into the sand repeatedly brought back memories long gone of learning to feel comfortable in the ocean.
Leaving Kosi Bay I took with me only the red circles on my feet as a memory - once again nostalgic - of the chafe that bodyboard fins give you. Let’s hope they don’t hurt in the Drakensberg.