PADDLING: Induna X-fest 2013 makes a big splash

inH2O:

Words: Jaco Lubbe Ç&#x20AC; Photos: Maimie Augustyne & Christelle Lubbe

2013

Induna X-fest makes a big splash

2 • DO IT NOW DIGITAL | March 2013_#8

Mix an overdose of adrenaline together with lots of amazing people and what you get is not just the most exciting Induna kayaking X-fest imaginable but a truly unforgettable and seriously fun event. And when I say fun, I am pretty sure that the person who originally came up with this word has never seen the facial expressions and feelings that go with running these rapids in a kayak. For that, new words like 'awesome' and 'epic' had to be invented, and the next word used to explain the pinnacle of extreme fun must surely be 'kayaker'. This white-water fest took place on 16 March and from the start of the competition, the Pro kayakers where on fire and it was a royal battle right to the bitter end. But the final outcome and winners were determined by three seriously gnarly rapids (if I was to give them a TV rating, they would all be PG 18), and the cherry on the top was the last rapid, the 'Siphon Falls' (a definite SNVL rating).

The first rapid of the day was Jeff’s Rapid. The name originated from the last hole in the rapid that took a guy named Jeff to the cleaners; it stuffed him in a washing machine for a minute and then hung him up to dry, without his kayak. The second rapid was Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels, and it is aptly named because it’s a gunfight from top to bottom and you’re not always sure if things will work out in your favour. When your mother says, “Johnny, please put on your helmet,” it’s always an act of good measure. But when it comes to this rapid, it was as essential as breathing because of the very real threat of being dragged along the rocks. This narrow rapid has rocks that always lip on your elbows and the churning water preys on any unfortunate paddler who makes a mistake. This was the case for some of kayakers who had to abandon ship after coming off second best.

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To add some more spice to the event, a Dual race down Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels was also held. The loser received a 10 second penalty, so it was crucial to outwit your competitor to avoid being dropped off the podium. This was super exciting for all the spectators who watched the eager but tense kayakers constantly exchange the lead down this rapid, knowing that a split second mistake or drop in concentration was all that was needed to tip the scales.

The Pro race leader board before the last rapid was tight, with Shane Raw from Swaziland, paddling his new Fluid Bazooka, edging out in front of Dewet Michan and Daniel Barnard, who went head to head for second and third. But the rest of the competitors were not far behind as they gave it their all in an attempt to claim a podium finish. But it was the last rapid that really sorted the men out from the boys. Although Siphon Falls is only a three-metre-high waterfall, the aura around it is tangible and makes you think twice as you measure up your skills level with that of the task at hand. The highlight for me was when a couple of kayakers opted for the fast train home, but the two ladies in the Pro kayakers event both decided to paddle down Siphon Falls. The only way that these paddlers who had opted for the easier option could redeem themselves was to just go for it; proving that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. The drop above Siphon Falls had enough water to run it, which meant that the approach would not be an easy one. Precision timing of paddle strokes and body-weight positioning were of the utmost importance to try and utilise the water currents together with the edge/shape of your kayak, to successfully drop down and exit this waterfall. And when you consider that in a race where you need to get from point A to B in the quickest time, calculating the next move needs to be done in split seconds, so the pressure was really on the paddlers. As each racer successfully, and some not so successfully, completed their run down Siphon Falls, they were given a hero's welcome. Helping a fellow paddler along and cheering them on to success is a character in each and every kayaker, and this camaraderie is definitely something the world needs to learn from kayakers!ď&#x20AC;´

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6 • DO IT NOW DIGITAL | March 2013_#8

The Pros also had their fun at Lion's Rock, with six kayakers having to race together while trying to gather their quota of markers before dashing to the finish line, to qualify for the finals. This proved to be hilarious for any onlooker as they used any method possible to gain an edge. The final consisted of a four-man dash, with no paddles and using only their hands to steer them. This crazy and very entertaining competition was won by Daniel Barnard. Other than Shane Raw, who kept his lead comfortably, the leader board was never static. It was all action when Shaun Huddle took the number two spot from Dewet Michan and Jay Hyde clawed his way to third overall. In the Ladies Pro race, the competition was fierce between Tammy Muir and Samantha Dold, but in the end it was Tammy who powered ahead to take the lead, with Samantha in second. The Beginners and Intermediates also had their own battles to fight on a different stretch of river that had fewer risks and obstacles, but the fun factor and competitiveness was right up in the red zone. Both these races were decided over two rapids; Long Drop and Lion's Rock. Lion's Rock is a long continuous rapid with lots of waves, holes and diagonals that test any brave soul who attempts it. The Dual eliminator also caused all sorts of upsets, but in the end it was Dewiko Loots who claimed the top podium spot in the Intermediate Men's race; the Ladies Intermediate race was won by Anna Lena May; and the Croc race (two man rafts) was won by Markus Büttner and Mona Bildhauer, a German pair. They say that when you experience an adventure with someone, it deepens your relationship. So ahoy friends, and we hope to see you all again at the Induna X-fest 2014. •

èRelated articles: • Record entries for Drak Challenge (Issue 16, p. 72) • National Freestyle Kayaking Competition (Issue 15, p.73)

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Results Pro Race - Male Place

Name

Surname

Total time

1

Shane

Raw