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I really need to pen these more regularly – there is so much going on.
This could be a double edition about “what was” and “what is still to be” – and even something of “what wasn’t.”
The “what wasn’t” is a national paddling tragedy, of epic proportions – the cancellation of the Drak Challenge last weekend. To add insult to injury, the river was at a sublime level.
Out of respect for the local farmers, who are fighting an intense battle against a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area, the organisers took the difficult decision to cancel the event.
Hugely unfortunate for the paddling community, but a necessary step in maintaining our cooperative relationship with the local farming community.
Some of what was:
The organisers of the Vaal Canoe Marathon jumped at the gap left in the calendar, due to the Drak cancellation, and slotted in their two-day K2 classic.
The irony was that the race was held on a low river level after it had been postponed twice due to flood conditions.
In previous years, the Vaal and the Breede were always considered as the premier K2 races in the country
This year’s event was won by Siseko Ntondini and Benjamin Mntonintshi, who edged out the ageing pairing of Robert Crichton and Marco Magni, with Shannon Parker Dennison and Caitlyn Odell winning the women’s category.
As mentioned in my previous newsletter, the African Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships, also took place over the past weekend.
Paddlers from around the continent were represented, as well as a number of coaches and officials from around the world.
The women’s category of the kayak cross event was won by Waris Mills (SA), ahead of Emmi Wood (SA), with Marzel Boshoff (Namibia) claiming the bronze.
The results of the women’s slalom were a replica of the kayak cross, except that Hannah Trower (SA) ousted Marzel for the bronze.
The men’s category in both competitions, was a close affair.
Iain Rennie (SA) won the gold, ahead of James Gotte (SA) and Arno Atreiu Reblin (Kenya) in the slalom, and Jean Pierre Bourhis (Senegal), Arno and Jayden Davis (SA) claiming the podium spots, in that order, in the kayak cross.
Congratulations to the PSA slalom committee for organising a successful event.
The Prescient Oceana Clifton race was held last Sunday.
A changing of the guard, with the young bucks Uli Hart, Sam Mocke and Jared Shrimpton dominating the podium and the first women’s boat being a SS2, in the shape of Georgia Singe and Jade Wilson.
The AGM of Paddlesport South Africa was held on the 26th of last month. Kim Pople, who had indicated that it was time for some new leadership, had her arm twisted into remaining as president for another two years. This is massively good news for the federation, as Kim brings new meaning to the terms “committed and involved”, in a position that is completely voluntary.
Shaun Rubenstein has also agreed to continue in his role as athlete’s representation.
Some really sad news in our “what was” section.
Two stalwarts of our sport are no longer with us.
Both Mike English (Peninsula CC) and Tony Purchase (Dabulamanzi CC) were larger-than-life figures for a protracted period of time in the paddling community.
The waterways are a poorer place without them.
Our condolences to their family and friends.
The surfski admin environment also had a big shake up.
The PSA board agreed to the proposed name change of the discipline, from Surfski to Ocean Paddling. The reason for the name change is to remain in line with the imminent name change of the ICF, as well as the Canoe Ocean Racing name for the discipline at international level.
Dave Harker has stepped down as the PSA Ocean Paddling chairman and Charl Van Wyk (Pete Marlin boss) has taken over the baton.
Charl has come out of the gates like a horse with a bee on its bum and has some hugely innovative ideas for the discipline, one of which is a regular “Ocean Paddling” newsletter.
The first one is reflected below: |
