Watch Sam Bradford riding Zambezi River’s Rapid #11 wave in Zimbabwe for five consecutive minutes nonstop.
Sam Bradford, born in Harare, Zimbabwe, splits his year between working as a rope-access wind turbine blade technician in the UK and raft-guiding and kayaking in Zimbabwe.
From a young age, Sam was immersed in water sports on the Zambezi River, learning to kayak at 11, a passion inherited from his father, a former raft guide and kayaker.
His early years in Victoria Falls were filled with white-water rafting, kayaking, and other adrenaline activities, leading to his nickname “Sambezi.”
Sam is one of the few who surf the Zambezi River, specifically on Rapid #2 and Rapid #11.
Rapid #2 is small and surfs well in low water from August to December, while Rapid #11 is a powerful, curling wave surfed during brief periods in February and August.
River surfing in the Zambezi is challenging due to the river’s intense flow, strong currents, and the presence of crocodiles.
Despite the challenges, Sam’s familiarity with the river, developed through years of kayaking, allows him to navigate it comfortably.
However, he has faced intense moments, particularly while kayaking, including a near-drowning incident in 2022.
Looking ahead, Sam has obtained his kayaking and surfing license to run commercial trips on the Zambezi and plans to organize a surfing competition on Rapid #11 starting in February 2025.