21 September 2016
Dear Paddler,
Have you ever seen and heard a very small child when they arrive home, trying to tell the most hugely exciting story about something they have just experienced? They make little hopping motions and can’t get the words out fast enough. Multiple sentences without taking a breath, arms waving furiously, faces beaming.
Well, that is exactly how I feel, having arrived home, last night, from the World Marathon Championships in Brandenburg.
Forgive me if “the words don’t come out right”. It is almost impossible to express the rollercoaster of emotions from the past few days.
Having not attended a “worlds” since it was held in Australia over 10 years ago, I certainly picked a good year to go.
In a small speech at the SA team “fines” meeting, after the event, I mentioned that those of us who had the privilege to be at this year’s event, will probably only appreciate the enormity of what we had witnessed, in years to come. The immense sense of pride to be part of the “team”.
The event kicked off with the Masters races on the Tuesday and Wednesday. Some of the “ballies” fared better than they had hoped, and some were a little disappointed in their results after having trained so hard.
Notwithstanding the individual trials and tribulations, our masters team, yet again, brought home the bacon, with numerous medals.
Chris Visser was so ecstatic with his gold medal in the K2 that he took the entire SA geriatric team out to dinner. He could have bought a small house in Pennington for the same price.
The one noticeable development in the “older” classes was the increase in the number of medals from the Australian contingent. This has got to be a huge motivating factor for next year. We can’t have this happening on our own doorstep.
The standard of international marathon racing is ridiculously high. We watch young paddlers like Jean van der Westhuyzen, Louis Hattingh, and Mark Keeling perform on the local stage and rub our hands with glee in the anticipation of unleashing them on the unsuspecting internationals.
The glee turned to shock and amazement when we saw our young heroes struggling off the back of the first or second bunch.
Some of their results may have disappointed them, as they did not, perhaps, achieve what they had hoped for. I was out on the course, acting as an official, and can guarantee you that every one of our paddlers raced like a true hero.
It also exemplified the unbelievable achievements of those who did manage to bring a medal home.
Let’s face it, you can’t get better than a gold and silver in the blue ribbon event of the championships, the men’s K1. To follow it up with a gold and bronze in the men’s K2 was tear jerking stuff.
The absolute ease with which Hank managed both these achievements was an inspiration to all our young paddlers who watched. It was such a display of dominance. A great “payback” for Jasper and Hank for last year’s result.
We have all been fortunate to live in an era where we have come to expect these performances from Hank. This often tends to overshadow the superb accomplishments of some of our other paddlers.
Andy’s gutsy performance in the K1, his and Louis “come back of the tournament” in the K2, Jenna and Kyeta’s amazing race in the K2 and Kyeta’s awesome podium in the junior K1 all spring to mind.
Thank you team SA for a week that will be ineligibly etched in this tired red pip.
Some of the “team”, including Hank have headed off to the Liffey in Ireland this weekend. Andy has gone off to a marathon race in Czech.
It is time to start looking ahead to 2017, where we will have the opportunity to avenge ourselves in a few categories. Especially with home town advantage.
Back to the local scene.
Plenty of frantic “panic” training for the Fish, which is only in 2 weeks’ time.
Pete Marlin, which is also rushing up.
Until next week
Your SG
Copper
1111
Golden double for McGregor at Canoe Marathon Worlds
Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocké charged back to the top of the world by claiming victory in Sunday’s K2 Men’s encounter, bringing a golden curtain down on the 2016 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany after three frenetic days of racing. Read the full story here.
McGregor Birkett double rights Team SA ship at Canoe Marathon Worlds
Hank McGregor bagged a seventh world title when he mastered a powerful field and tough weather conditions to win the Men’s K1 crown at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, with compatriot Andy Birkett grabbing his first senior medal to complete a historic South African one:two. Read the full story here.
Purchase opens Team SA’s medal account at Canoe Marathon Worlds
Emerging young talent Kyeta Purchase got the South African charge off to a positive start on day one of the 2016 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany on Friday when she won the bronze medal in the K1 Junior Girls race while Jenna Ward and Louis Hattingh put in brave efforts to finish fourth and sixth in the K1 Under-23 Women’s and K1 Under-23 Men’s clashes respectively. Read the full story here.
Advert for KNCU High Performance, Development and Growth Manager
The KwaZulu-Natal Canoe Union are searching for a new manager for their high performance programme as well as development and growth manager. Get those applications in by Monday! All you need to know is right 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.
South African K1 Championships
The Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon plays host to the 2016 SA K1 Championships! Make sure that you get your entry in early for this one! It is one that no one wants to miss!! Entries will open on 1 August so stay tuned here to find out more.
Gauteng Canoe Union
TRAILER TO FISH? Chad/Malcolm are towing trailers to FISH, loading on Weds 5th – contact 011 452 1724/011 477 0784 or 0824467984/082 571 1180. FLCC are also taking a trailer to Fish to load on Tuesday 4th for those who would like to trip on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning – contact JENNIE for details.
KwaZulu-Natal Canoe Union
NOBBY NEL MEMORIAL – Albert Falls to Thornvale – UMV 9am Sunday 25th September.
Eastern Cape Canoe Union
The Fish River Canoe Club is hosting the Pre Fish again this year. The race is happening this weekend! Go to their Facebook page here if you want to find out more about the event.
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!
2016 Fenn Cape Point Challenge
Planning is already under way for this iconic annual event, which takes place on 17th December, 2016. Entries open in October. More information here. Time to dust off those paddles and start logging the miles!
SELLING:
Blade 5 K1 (Manta equivalent) good condition ,never used on a river, plus/minus 2 years old R 3000.00.
Contact details email – Jack.rowan56@gmail.com , cell no. 0825741646
K2 LEGEND (PMB River Craft) As new….
Been on flat water for an hour!
New: R6800
Asking: R5300 onco
Email: mallytania@gmail.com
Phone: 0610903881
1 x Sabre in good condition R2,250
1 x Manta Maxi. Full Kevlar construction. Very good condition. R7,550
Contact James Crichton 0832541982.
Surfski: Speed S2 Double
Full Carbon – Racing Condition-no dings or repairs
R10 000.00 (R22 000.00 new)
Contact Stretch 0735528840
BUYING:
Fenn Swordfish S full carbon or Carbon hybrid
Fenn XT Double Carbon
Carbonology Zest Double Carbon
Call Clive on 079 312 1683 or clive.mcgill@gmail.com
Second hand Fenn Double Elite (Carbon or glass).
Based in CPT, but could arrange shipping.
Contact Gustav via this e-mail address or 084 234 1731
Click here to view MANY more classifieds
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