Hi ,

A quick wrap up of what has been and what is still to come.

History was made last weekend, with the first ever SA Kayak Cross Championships being held on the Umzimkulu river.

This new Olympic discipline attracted a field of 24 paddlers who delighted in a full river.

By all accounts the action was fast and furious.

In the open men’s division, Scott Humphrey claimed the gold medal ahead of junior Scott Venniker (who thus automatically won the junior gold), while third went to Matthew Van Heerden.

The open women’s division was won by Emmi Wood, followed by Hannah Trower and Tessa Harmse.

The junior boys silver medal ended around the neck of James Gotte, ahead of Joshua Craig.

The Umzimkulu was not the only river that was full over the weekend: Paddlers on the Umkomaas were treated to a river of almost 2m (measured at Hella Hella bridge).

Saturday saw an intrepid group setting off on the “One stop Hop” (an informal cruise down the river in memory of Mark Perrow), from Josephine’s Bridge to Old Buck rapid. A distance of some 63kms.

The Mbanjwa’s Kraal to Josephines Bridge race was held on Sunday, with Hank Mc Gregor and Wayne Jacobs sending out a clear message that they will be the team to beat in the Stihl Umkomaas marathon, which is scheduled for this weekend.

The very full river treated the paddlers kindly, with very few swims and no major incidents.

This augurs well for “The Umko”, which kicks of at 8 o’clock on Saturday morning from Nyala Pans. 

This time next week there will still be war stories being told about the most exciting race on the calendar.

After the Umko, all eyes turn to the very flat conditions at Emmarentia dam in Johannesburg, for yet another national championships.

The SA Canoe Polo Championships will start on Friday the 21st and run through to Sunday the 23rd.

With entries still open, and 10 teams already confirmed, the event promises to be a huge success, even before it has started.

A deck chair, an umbrella and a few cold refreshments could be the order of the day for those who wish to head down and enjoy the excitement of the competition.

National championships come thick and fast at this time of the year, with the SA Schools and SA Sprint championships taking place at Roodeplaat dam just two weeks after the polo champs.

Entries will be opening on the CSA portal within the next few days.

More news regarding the event in the next newsletter.

Lastly, a reminder to start your training for the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban in October.

Don’t make us have to come to look for you.

Until after the Umko ... 

Your SG
Copper

And the joke ...

A Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officer stopped at a ranch in Texas, and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher: "I need to inspect your ranch for  illegally grown drugs."

The rancher said, "Okay, but don’t go in  that field over there...", and he pointed out the location.

The DEA officer verbally exploded, saying: "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government of the United States of America with me!"

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. "See this ^%&*# badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish ... on any land!  No questions asked or answers given! Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?"

The rancher then nodded politely, apologized and went about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull.

With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he'd sure enough get gored before he reached safety. 

The officer was clearly terrified. The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs: "Your badge!  Show him your ^%&*# badge.