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Not too much breathing space between events during the first few months of the year.
The dust around the annual Dusi Canoe Marathon has barely settled, and many of the real die hards will line up, at the same start, to do it all over again. This time, however, without the luxury of any overnight stops or air conditioned 4x4's.
The Non-Stop Dusi kicks off from Bishopstowe Hall very early on Friday morning. Although the format of the race allows for the odd short cut, the competitors are still in for an exceptionally long day.
The actual Dusi, which finished just over 2 weeks ago, had its fair share of excitement, both on and off the water.
As predicted, Andy Birkett edged one closer to the record number of wins held by the legendary Graeme Pope-Ellis, as he claimed his 14th victory, partnered by his East London team mate, Matt Fenn.
They played a "cat and mouse" game with Sbonelo Khwela and Msawenkosi Mtolo on the first day, finishing a few seconds adrift. However, on the longer paddling second day, they showed their class by catching the leaders and then taking advantage of a small mistake at Gauging Weir to pull a 5-minute lead by the end. They increased this by another minute on the last day, to finish 6 minutes clear.
Sandile Mtolo and Bongani Ntinga had a blistering Day 3, to post the fastest time, a full 5 minutes faster than the leaders, to claim the bronze medal overall.
Abby Solms and Jessica Behn put 9 minutes into second place Hilary Bruss and Bridgitte Hartley on the first day, and then made a great job of protecting that lead over the next 2 days, finishing in 24th place overall with a 14 minute lead. Hilary and Bridgitte finished second, with an 11 minute lead over Jenna Nisbet and Nix Birkett.
Hank McGregor and his wife, Pippa, certainly put a few noses out of joint by finishing first in the mixed doubles and 16th overall.
What is interesting to see from the results is that there were 17 boats within an hour of the leaders, and some really exciting and close racing, in many cases right down to the wire.
The on-water drama was almost overshadowed by circumstances that played out off the water. Service delivery protests lead to the blocking of most of the roads out of the valley after the start of the second day. The majority of the seconding vehicles were compelled to drive on back roads, all the way back to Pietermaritzburg, in order to get out. Fortunately there were no dramatic incidents that curtailed the enjoyment of the race.
The race organisers were certainly placed in an unenviable position.
Besides the Non Stop Dusi on Friday, the focus of river paddling has shifted to another valley in KZN. The Umkomaas.
As with the Drak, the ultra-full levels of a few weeks ago have subsided. The "non stop" Umko and the "Mbangwa's to Josephines" were held on a medium to low river over the past weekend.
The raging muddy waters of a full Umko were replaced by far cleaner and less intimidating conditions.
Hopefully there will be a small "top up" from the heavens before the Stihl Umko Marathon in under 2 weeks' time.
Rumour has it that there are large contingents rambling up from all corners of the country.
This might just be the year to get that "tick" over with, for those who have perpetually succumbed to the apprehension generated by exaggerated war stories, and to finally line up at a start. You know deep down that you need to do this. There is even a trail run to keep your family members occupied while you are on the water, and a proper party at the overnight stop, with an absence of prying eyes watching you embarrass yourself.
Less than a week after the Umko, the sprinters will be in action.
Victoria Lake Club, in Germiston, is going to be the place to be on 22-24 March.
Not only is the event doubling as the SA Championships and the SA Schools Championships, it is also being used as the trial to select the 4 very fortunate individuals who will be travelling to Paris in July/August to participate in the Olympic Games. There are a number of extremely interesting combinations that have formed, in order to give the traditional sprinters a run for their money. Hank McGregor has teamed up with Uli Hart, while Andy Birkett and Hamish Lovemore will pair up. Chrisjan Coetzee and Nick Weeks must start out as firm favourites to gain the slot, but they are untested against the other crews.
Marathon aces Christie McKenzie and Saskia Hockly will be attempting an upset against overwhelming favourites Este Olivier and Tiffany Koch in the women's K2 500m.
It is going to be a fantastic weekend of racing, with a multitude of talented athletes displaying their talents.
Looking way forward in the year, the SA K2 river championships will be taking place on the Vaal river.
"The ADG Vaal" has traditionally been one of the premier K2 races on the national calendar, only rivaled by the Breede.
The Dabulamanzi Canoe Club is organising the event this year, and we all know what that means. It is going to be "proper", with great value, superb organisation, and a festive party.
The secret to being part and parcel of the event hub is to book accommodation "way" in advance.
The organisers are hoping that canoeists book out the entire Umfula Resort (www.umfula.net), leaving no space for any other potential riff raff.
So, those who are even remotely planning on making the pilgrimage, should go online right now and make a provisional booking. Dates are 23-24 November.
Whilst on the subject of booking, a group of Port Elizabeth and East London paddlers, are putting together a “coffee table“ book to recognise the essence and spirit of the 244 km Port Elizabeth to East London Surf Ski race that recently celebrated 50 years from when the first event took place.
They have sent me the following:
"A race that has been held 25 times, but we think that there are still only as little as 350 people to have ever finished. In comparison, last year 15 000 runners completed the Comrades.
We have appointed regional reps in the 5 main cities to help gather information on the race and to “dump” this info onto a dedicated internet domain.
The reps are as follows :
Port Elizabeth: Gavin Harvey and David Collins.
Durban: Mark Lewin.
Cape Town: Jamie Hamlin
East London: Richard Tebbutt
Johannesburg: Pete O Conner
We are looking to yourselves ( SA Canoeing ) to assist us with providing information which will enhance the stories that will make up the content of the book.
We are in final discussion with a writer who is very keen to get involved in this book".
So, if you have ever been involved with this classic event, and have a story to tell, please contact one of the above gentlemen, or myself, and spit it out. |
