Hi ,

The early rainfall around the country has been a blessing for some and a curse for others.

In KZN, many of the major dams have topped up nicely, which augurs well for releases when needed over the next few months. The two early Umko races have also benefited, with ideal levels.

In Gauteng, the Vaal marathon had to be postponed twice due to the river being in flood.

However, there is really sad news coming out of Underberg. 

The N3TC Drak challenge has been cancelled for early next year, as well as the KZN mixed doubles championships and the Fast Drak, that would have taken place this month.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the area has resulted in the local farmers trying to limit the amount of travel between farming areas. Out of respect for this sentiment, and with the long-term relationship with them in mind, the organisers took the very difficult decision to cancel the events for this season.

With the lamentable state of many of our rivers, a pristine race like the Drak is a highlight of our calendars.

The cancellation of the Drak is unfortunate, as it has a definite knock-on effect on the rest of the races later in the season. 

With the Drak out of the equation, the next major focus for the river season will be on the Dusi.

With lots of water in the system already, the build-up races early next year should be really enjoyable.

Some of the locals in Blue Water Bay in Port Elizabeth (still can’t get my tongue around Gqeberha) may have been woken up this morning by the sound of a fog horn. It was not a ship in distress, but the start horn for the second toughest official ocean paddling race in the world (the 100 mile race held last month is in a league of its own).

The iconic, four-day PE to East London kicked off at the Blue Water Bay Surf Lifesaving club early this morning, with the intrepid paddlers facing a 80km haul to Woody Cape. 

If Windguru is anything to go by, they will be assisted by a light tail wind and a moderate swell.

The official entry list reflects 16 double ski’s and 48 single ski’s.

No women doubles or mixed doubles, but four women in single ski’s.

PE2EL hard core legend, Bianca "Bubbles" Beavitt will have her work cut out against Nix Birkett, with Heleen Rossouw and Kirsten Scott also looking for podium places.

My prediction for the men’s race will be a tussle between the reigning champion, Zach Preyser and the winner of the recent 100 miler, Bevan Manson, with Steve Woods waiting in the wings.

I will stick my neck out with a calculated guess for double ski category and pick Brett Hadiaris/Brent Chiazzari just ahead of the Jacobs brothers Wayne and Warren, together with Armand Van Niekerk and Stefaans Erlank. 

Of all the paddling races I have ever done, the PE2EL is one of the very few where one feels an awesome sense of accomplishment at just crossing the finish line, irrespective of position. If the surf cranks up on a few of the days, the challenge becomes even more profound. Fortunately, as things stand, there are no nightmare outlooks for the next four days, but that can always change.

After 80kms on day one, you feel like you have been driven over by a truck the next morning. Facing an 8-10 foot backline at Woody Cape, that is breaking 300 metres out to sea, is enough to test the firmest resolve.

On Saturday morning there are going to be a heap of very tired, yet elated, paddlers arriving at Orient Beach.

The real die-hards will have an opportunity of stretching those tired muscles the very next week in the Cape Point Challenge

More about that next week.

Until then ...

Your SG
Copper

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