Watch Sam Bradford riding Zambezi River’s Rapid #11 wave in Zimbabwe for five consecutive minutes nonstop.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
His early years in Victoria Falls were filled with white-water rafting, kayaking, and other adrenaline activities, leading to his nickname “Sambezi.”<\/p>\n
Sam is one of the few who surf the Zambezi River, specifically on Rapid #2 and Rapid #11.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
River surfing in the Zambezi is challenging due to the river’s intense flow, strong currents, and the presence of crocodiles.<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, Sam’s familiarity with the river, developed through years of kayaking, allows him to navigate it comfortably.<\/p>\n
However, he has faced intense moments, particularly while kayaking, including a near-drowning incident in 2022.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n