Hi ,

Some fortunate and some unfortunate timing with regard to Cyril's latest announcement.

Scottburgh to Brighton got away by the skin of their teeth. The Berg, not so much.

With some imaginative massaging of the clauses in the government gazette, the organisers of the Berg may have got away with holding the event on the original dates. However, much of our sporting activity is governed by the interpretation of the local authorities and how they wish to apply it. The Berg organisers were on a hiding to nowhere.

They have had to postpone the event until early August.

For some, this is an irritation. For others, a sigh of relief as they can now sneak in a few extra long sessions to ensure they do not go into the event under cooked. Entries have reopened, so a few of the fence sitters may let gravity take its course.

From a paddling perspective it could have been far worse off than we are with this level 4. At least we can still get out there and flap our arms around a bit. Inside sources have assured me that this one will not be allowed to drag on much past the 11th deadline.

The Scottburgh to Brighton (S2B) organisers were far more lucky. They jumped through all of the covid hoops and were rewarded with a record entry and superb conditions.

A few sets at Scotties helped to clear out the plumbing for a few of us (some made more of a meal of it than others), and Toti did not disappoint with a number of us electing a 2nd rinse and spin cycle.

Other than that, it was smooth sailing.

The boys and girls from Slummies were merciless in their lust for gold and walked away with much of it, even in the ballies categories.

A maiden victory for Josh Fenn and a victory by a maiden in the form of Nix Birkett.

Brett Hadiaris having to solicit the services of the SA marathon champ in order to hold off husband and wife team "McGregor" to win the double ski category.

Big things planned for next year. Watch this space.

Not so lucky for our surfski team to Lanzarote.

The illusive promised letter from the Spanish health authorities never materialised and communication from the organisers dried up like a mouth full of salt after a long night out.

This has resulted in all of the team members who are cursed with the green mamba passport having to stay at home. Those with dual passports, and therefore, by definition, not able to carry the virus, have been allowed to enter and have arrived safely in Lanzarote.

Ironically, out of the 7 South African paddlers who have made it over there, we have managed to cover all 6 of the categories. Michelle Burn (Senior women), Nic Notten (Senior men), Uli Hart (U23 men), Jade Wilson (U23 women), Saskia and Valma Jean Hockly (Junior Girls) and Josh Smith (Junior Boy)

By all accounts the conditions for the race are going to be superb, with a 20 knot (plus) downwind predicted.

Looks like race day will be Sunday.

Got to go now. Have to answer my 700th mail regarding POPI. Where the hell did they all get my details.

Cheers
Be safe
Copper
1111

A magician worked on a cruise ship. The audience was different each week
so the magician did the same tricks over and over again. There was only one
problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to
understand how the magician did every trick.

Once he understood, he started shouting in the middle of the show,
"Look, it's not the same hat!" or, "Look, he's hiding the flowers under
the table!" or "Hey, why are all the cards the ace of spades?"

The magician was furious but couldn't do anything. It was, after all,
the captain's parrot. Then one stormy night on the Pacific, the ship
unfortunately sank, drowning almost all who were on board.

The magician luckily found himself on a piece of wood floating in the
middle of the sea, as fate would have it ... with the parrot. They
stared at each other with hatred, but did not utter a word.

This went on for a day... and then 2 days... and then 3 days...

Finally on the 4th day, the parrot could not hold back any longer and
said...

"OK, I give up. Where the hell is the ship?"