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04 June 2015
Dear Paddler,
COPPERS CORNER
Good Day All fine paddlers.
I am doing some last minute packing before leaving for PMB for the SA Marathon Champs.
Tomorrow we are hosting an ICF Marathon Officials Course at Camps Drift. We have flown out an ICF Marathon expert who will be presenting the 
course, and then overseeing the performance of the officials on the two days of the champs. So, behave nicely or you will find yourself in the sin bin while the rest of the group paddles off into the sunset.
This going to be one fine weekend.
A chance for most of the out of province paddlers to test the Camps Drift course, and an opportunity to watch world champions go head to head.
Talking about world champions, it is going to be very interesting to see whether Hank will show any signs of an exhausting Molokai last weekend, coupled with a 12 time zone trip back home.
There is a fantastic line up of talent in all of the age groups, and PMB will definitely be the place to be over the next few days.
Next year is the 50th anniversary of the first Umko. Pete Swanepoel has decided to write a book about this world renowned epic of a race. His starting point was going to be a tribute to Charles Mason who has done nearly all of them (I think he has finished 48), however, he has decided to make it a “people’s” book, and has asked for anyone with an interesting story and/or some photographs, to contact him (pete@sheila.co.za).
If the post-race pub war stories are anything to go by, he will be producing an encyclopaedia sized manuscript. He has reserved the right to submit any contributors to a lie detector test.
The sunny South Coast is having a paddling resurgence. Not only are we about to have a fantastic surf ski series, but the Toti club has started a major drive to promote kids paddling. To this end, they are seeking as many 2nd hand guppies that they can get their hands on. So, if you have an old one lying around your garden, or if little Johnny (who you were hoping would be the next Oscar Chalupsky – heaven forbid) has taken to cross dressing or mountain biking, and no longer needs his, please contact Ross Fountain rfountain@wasteman.co.za. He has promised at least a case of beers per boat.
The Mickey Mouse ski races have come to an end, and the big league is about to start in most provinces. After the tragedy we experienced last year, CSA had a major restructuring of the safety byelaws. With the open Ocean races about to get under way, the surf ski committee has realized that some of the inclusions in the safety document may need some clarity and some short term change. The race organisers will be publishing a list of the safety requirements shortly.
Well! I have got to go.
Much to see and so much to do (Uriah Heep)
Until Next week
Your SG
Copper
1111
WHAT’S HOT ONLINE
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SA Marathon Champs Facebook Page/Twitter Account
If you want to get all the latest information about the upcoming South African Marathon championships go and have a look at their recently created SA Marathon Champs Facebook page here and Twitter Account here!
IN THE NEWS
Three SA paddlers in Molokai top six
Three South African paddlers raced into the top six positions at the 2015 Maui Jim Molokai Challenge surfski ultra marathon between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu on Sunday. Read about the race here.
ON THE NATIONAL FRONT
SA Marathon Champs
The South African Marathon Champs are coming up at the beginning of June (6-7 June) at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg. If you need to find out more information get in touch with Brett Austin Smith (brett@dusi.co.za) or have a look at their Facebook page for more information on the event!
SA Surfski Team named
The team to go to the World Ocean Racing Championships in Tahiti has been named with a strong South African contingent heading over for the event! Have a look here at the team for the event.
SA Junior Sprint Team named for Worlds
At the recent South African Schools Sprint Champs paddlers were chosen to represent South Africa at the upcoming Under 23 and Junior Sprint Championships in Portugal! Congrats to the team and you can have a look at the names of the team here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE UNIONS
KwaZulu-Natal Canoe Union
The FNB Durban Downwind starts on 13 June. For more information on the series go and have a look at their Facebook page here.
Gauteng Canoe Union
All the focus will be on Pietermaritzburg this weekend for the South African Marathon Championships so it will be a quiet weekend on the Highveld.
Western Cape Canoe Union
The Pink Lady Drakenstein Canoe Race is coming up from 13-14 June. If you need any more information on the race then head across to their website here.
Eastern Cape Canoe Union
The Harbour2Heads race will be happening in Knysna on Saturday 4 July. The race is during the famous Oyster Festiv also if you have nothing to do and want to get in some good, hard flat water racing get to this one! If you need more details on the race have a look here.
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS
Scottburgh2Brighton Surfski Race
The S2B has been scheduled to take place over the weekend of the 18-19 July. There is a two day window period so we can try and get the best possible weather conditions for the race as we are looking for some record breaking performances this year. We are approaching sponsors and are out to make this year’s event bigger and better than last year’s event.
CLASSIFIEDS
WANTED:
Accord K2 in good condition
Contact Ryan Laskey on 0718895169
Can collect anywhere in the greater Durban area.
SELLING:
Eric Canoe Shoppe XP1 River boat
Kevlar middle
Only paddled on flat water
Practically new R4,000
contact Pippa on 073 163 1219 and can view the boat at Kingfisher Canoe Club
White Velox Exterminator K2 for Sale. Only used on the dam a dozen times.
Urgent sale
Rudi@extractorhoods – 0838007744
Click here to view MANY more classifieds
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