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And suddenly there were zero days left to train for the Dusi.
This time tomorrow the first day will be "done and dusted" for most of the competitors.
Given the uncertainty of the event even happening, due to Covid, it is encouraging to see that the number of entrants has already surpassed that of last year.
At last count, over 780 intrepid individuals had committed to lining up at the start.
The alure of some exciting water, coupled with the frustration of months of restrictions, have manifested in renewed zest.
Many of the last minute entrants will be going into the event very undercooked. I hope there will be no young school children listening to the language in Devil's Cauldron later in the day.
Unlike in some of the early days of Graeme Pope Ellis, there does not appear to be any "tall poppy" favourite in either the men's or women's race.
Some have been playing their cards very close to their chests during the build-up races.
With many federations not yet being able to compete, I am sure that most of our paddlers are just happy to be able to get out there.
The true hero's, as always, are, however, the race organisers. A complex event of this nature is a nightmare to organise, even during a perfect year.
Throw in a set of goalposts that seem to have a life of their own, with Covid restrictions and changing requirements and the situation becomes even more taxing.
Last night's announcement that all sports events in KZN over the next few days would be cancelled, as a sign of respect for the late Zulu king, was almost the last straw.
Fortunately we have forged a good relationship with the local department of sport and our pleas for an exception did not fall on deaf ears.
An appeal to all participants and spectators. Please conform to the requests of the organisers with regard to Covid compliance (and actually, to any requests at all). We appreciate that wearing these damn masks is not only a pain around the ears. We hate them as much as you do. The rules are simple. Social distance and wear a mask. We don’t want to have to go back to riding bicycles on the promenade on a weekend because we have been forced to cancel our events.
On behalf of the CSA board, a fantastic and safe event for competitors and supporters alike.
Some more exciting news from SASCOC is that Bridgitte Hartley has been voted on as a member of the athletes commission.
The commission comprises 10 top athletes with their chairperson having a seat on the SASCOC board.
The first 6 members of the commission are voted on by their peers, the remaining 4 are co-opted.
Having Kim as a full member of the board, and now Bridgitte on the athletes commission, it gives our sport a slightly louder voice than would otherwise have been the case.
I was going to "unpack" the list of replies to the survey that was concluded a couple of weeks ago in this newsletter.
However, with Dusi fever gripping a large portion of our paddling community, I will leave it for next week for you to enjoy with a hot pack on your shoulder and your feet in a bucket of ice.
Can't escape without the joke though.
LITTLE THREE YEAR OLD BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET. HIS MOTHER THINKS HE HAS BEEN IN THERE TOO LONG, SO SHE GOES IN TO SEE WHAT'S UP.
THE LITTLE BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET READING A BOOK, BUT ABOUT EVERY 10 SECONDS OR SO HE PUTS THE BOOK DOWN, GRIPS ONTO THE TOILET SEAT WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND HITS HIMSELF ON TOP OF THE HEAD WITH HIS RIGHT HAND.
HIS MOTHER SAYS: "BILLY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? YOU'VE BEEN IN HERE FOR A WHILE".
BILLY SAYS: "I'M FINE, MUMMY... I JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT YET. "
MOTHER SAYS: "OK, YOU CAN STAY HERE A FEW MORE MINUTES, BUT, BILLY, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF ON THE HEAD?"
BILLY SAYS: "IT WORKS ON THE TOMATO SAUCE BOTTLE!"
Until next week
Your SG
Copper
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