15 June 2016
Dear Paddler,
We should really be heading towards the live streaming of our national marathon championships, especially with the use of drone footage.
Taking the excitement of the races into everyone’s homes would have provided a far more scintillating alternative to watching the rugby on Saturday afternoon, with a much more palatable result.
In all my years of watching marathon racing, I can honestly say that this year’s men’s K1 race was the most exciting race I have ever seen. It underlined the terrific standard of our marathon paddlers.
Nearly all of the protagonists had drama of some sort or another. None more so than Andy Birkett, who decided on a very early, self-imposed, cooling off period. The speed in which he re-entered his boat may have been more a reflection of the temperature of the water than to some latent talent.
The front group whittled itself down to 6 boats soon after the start (Andy falling out after only 1km, and managing to get back into his boat in deep water and catching back up to the group – losing it again when he had to empty on the first portage and catching up again). The 6 (Hank, Andy, Stomach VDW, Stu Mac, Jakub, and Simon VG) stayed together for lap after lap, none of them looking like they were in massive danger of falling off. The portages were frenetic affairs. I couldn’t run that fast with spikes on a tartan track, without a boat.
A slightly slippery portage deck contributed to the outcome when Stu Mac’s ABS failed and he saw his chances of a podium (amongst other things) finish go up in a splash as he overshot the woodwork.
His aerobatics were duplicated a lap later when Andy (not to be outdone) went for the point scoring double backflip on the same jetty, with a very similar result. Two swims in one race by a former world champion (makes us mere mortals feel quite good about ourselves). Difference being, that he managed to get back into his boat and catch the front group for a second time, together with Hank, who displayed some supreme sportsmanship by waiting to help him back.
A 5 man end sprint. What a display. Hank managing to edge out Andy, with Tum Tum finishing in an elated 3rd.
The ladies race was a far more civilized affair, with an early breakaway by Nics and Bubbles, who kept each other company for the entire race. Nicky managing to win the end sprint.
The K2 race on the Sunday was almost as exciting, albeit without any of the aerobatic theatrics or swims. Hank’s K2 partner, Jasper, was still suffering from Hawaii flu, so he solicited the services of Seseko at the last minute. The pace of the race, both on and off the water was once again sublime. Andy, making up for his K1 2nd by winning, together with U23 gold medalist Louis Hattingh. Tum Tum and Stu managing a well fought silver, with Hank and his shell shocked partner completing the podium.
It is not often that a junior gets to stand on the podium of a senior race. Kyeta Purchase managed to hang on until the final sprint with partner Jenna Ward, against the formidable duo of Bridgitte Hartley and Abbey Solms, this, after she had won the SA junior K1 title in emphatic fashion the day before.
One of the performances of the tournament was the single handed demolishment job that Jean Van Der Westhuizen did in the junior K1 race. If I were a betting man, I would not risk one cent on him not bringing a medal back from Duitsland.
The ballies once again showed that life does not end at 35, with some impressive scraps and some superb results.
The standard of our marathon paddling is phenomenal. It is just a pity that there is very little depth at our flatwater marathon races. The average paddler seems to labour under the misapprehension that flatwater marathon paddling is for the hotties. Nothing could be further from the truth. It provides a tremendously good base from which to attack all of the other disciplines. With the world marathon championships due to be held in our own back yard next year, we should all be looking to participate, irrespective of our standard.
A huge thanks to the crew at Peninsula Canoe Club for hosting such a memorable event.
The team to represent SA at the World Champs in Germany in September was announced after the event. It is subject to ratification by the CSA board, and is as follows:
K1
U18 Boys – Jean van der Westhuyzen | Mark Keeling
U18 Girls – Kyeta Purchase | Christie Mackenzie
U23 Men – Louis Hattingh | Nicholas Notten
U23 Women – Jenna Ward | Melanie van Niekerk
Senior Men – Hank McGregor | Andy Birkett
Senior Women – Nicole Russell | Bianca Beavitt
K2
U18 Boys – Jean van der Westhuyzen/Mark Keeling | Zachery Preyser/Ulvard Hart
U18 Girls – Sabina Lawrie/Christie Mackenzie
Senior Men – Andy Birkett/Louis Hattingh | Hank McGregor/Jasper Mocke
Senior Women – Jenna Ward/Kyeta Purchase
From the frozen Cape to Sunny KZN.
The Scottburgh to Brighton ski race, which was supposed to have been held this weekend, has been brought forward to tomorrow. Singles starting at 8 o’clock, and doubles at 8.30. The wind predictions for the weekend were desperate, with an almost 100% chance of a headwind. The late change will probably not suit everyone, and the organisers run the risk of losing a number of the upcountry entries. However, far better a downwind than bashing against a North East for 6 hours.
I will be doing my 34th, and can see no reason why I should be toiling on my own, so please come and join me. Looking at the ever unreliable windguru, it would appear that the race has a better chance to be held on Sunday, rather than Saturday. The organisers will let us know tomorrow. We may even get that South West we have all been praying for.
Whilst on the subject of praying. The safety crew that you see on all major races is in desperate need of some new equipment. They are all volunteers and rely on support from a variety of sources in order to be able to provide the service that they do.
The CSA River Safety team is appealing to you all for funding support to procure much needed on-river safety equipment to replace very aged craft & paddles. Although the following entities have been very supportive to date, the CSA River safety team is in dire need of more funding, so huge thanks to:
•SIKA
•HANSA
•EPIC
•Xtreme Equipment
•3 fellow paddlers donating craft
If keen and in a position to assist, please contact ROB HILL (CSA Safety Officer) on 083 636 1315 or rob@swiftwaterx.com
Well. That’s all from me.
Until next week
Your SG
Copper
1111
Birkett and Hattingh win thrilling K2 duel at SA Marathon Champs
Andy Birkett and Louis Hattingh won a thrilling senior men’s K2 race to bring down the curtain at the Prescient SA Marathon Championships at Zandvlei near Muizenberg on Sunday, while Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley and teammate Abby Solms took the women’s title in an equally thrilling race. Read the full story here.
McGregor masters the wind at SA Marathon Champs
Hank McGregor mastered the treacherous windy conditions at Zandvlei to win the Prescient SA Marathon Championships on Saturday, setting him up for a bid at winning another world title in Germany in September. Read the full story here.
Berg River Canoe Marathon
WC Canoe Union are instituting a set of qualifying criteria for the Berg River Marathon in the same manner as many major ultra-marathon events. To find out about the new qualifying structure go here and to enter the 2016 edition of the race head here.
South African Surfski Championships
It is still a number of months away but the organisers want to keep reminding people that the Pete Marlin Surfski Race will be the South African Surfski Championships for 2016. The race will happen over the weekend of 5-6 November. Take a look at their Facebook page here for more information.
KwaZulu-Natal Canoe Union
The Durban International Canoe Polo Festival is set to take place this weekend (18-19 June) at Shongweni Dam. If you want to find out more about this exciting event then head to their website here to catch up on times, fixtures and teams! It is also the Scottburgh to Brighton coming up! Remember the RACE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 16 JUNE!
Gauteng Canoe Union
The Watuni Klip to Vaal 32km is on 25 June, the weekends and public holiday on 16th gives us opportunities to enjoy local river trips/mastering rapids and gaining ground on the 20km mileage before moving up to the 32km event. Make the most of the gentle winter before the real cold gets in our way! Dabulamanzi are running Add Resins Winter Time Trial throughout the season. There is a great incentive to do eight of the thirteen so enter on Thursdays at the club time trial!
Western Cape Canoe Union
The Pink Lady Drakenstein Race will be following the weekend after (18-19 June). Make sure that you are up to speed with everything and are in the loop about what is happening. For all the information that you need go and have a look at their website here.
The Pink Lady Drakenstein Race
The Pink Lady Drakenstein Race will be following the weekend after (18-19 June). Make sure that you are up to speed with everything and are in the loop about what is happening. For all the information that you need go and have a look at their website here.
The Harbour2Heads Lagoon Challenge
The Harbour to Heads race is coming up in Knysna during the Pick ‘n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival. Registration happens on Saturday 2 July from 12-4pm with the racing happening on Sunday 3 July at 9am. You can enter online here. Head to their Facebook page here for more information!
PE2EL Surfski Challenge
Enter “The Challenge” at the special Early Bird Rate: Fees paid, and entry submitted by 15 June 2016: R2500! See our website www.bordercanoeclub.co.za for more info. We have officially “launched”, and are open for entries. We offer an experience of a lifetime, along the most impressive coastline in the world. This is an adventure not to be missed. Not for the fainthearted! Check the poster and get your entry form here!
SELLING:
2 x K2 Accords for sale:
Mid section Kevlar and including pumps. Good condition. Only done 2016 Dusi. R4500.00
Full Kevlar and including pumps. Good condition. Only done 2015 Dusi. R5500.00
Can be viewed in Umhlanga or at KCC Clubhouse. Boats always stored on garage or clubhouse racks.
K3 for sale: Eric’s Canoes K3 in good condition. Kevlar mid section. Small patches. R6000.00
Can be viewed at Eric’s Canoe Shoppe.
Chris Watts
Mobile: +27 82 903 5103
Mail: watts1386@gmail.com
LOOKING FOR:
Looking for a second hand Fenn Double Elite (Carbon or glass).
Based in CPT, but could arrange shipping.
e-mail address glptrichardt@gmail.com or 084 234 1731
Second hand full carbon Spark Surfski or similar.
For small paddler, or with adjustable pedals.
Contact: Lauren 073 157 1421
(if I’m working you may have to leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you)
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Got something to sell?? Let us know and we will include it in our classifieds section! Email nick@gameplanmedia.co.za to get your advert out there!