Issue 1 2020 FEB/MAR
BREAKING NEWS
from the DUSI
Andy wins 9TH Drak Scouting Rapids
CHLOE BUNNETT
the Cape Point Challenge
2019 WSSL CHAMPS KAYAK
CANOE POLO
SURFSKI
CANOE
Full Calendars
IMAGE Mark Kupcyek 2
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CO N T E N T S
RACE RELATED
IMAGE Anthony Grote
9 BREAKING NEWS : DUSI 12 DUSI DUO’S Teams to Watch 18 CHLOE BUNNETTE 20 DRAK 2020 24 WHAT A SCREAM 26 WSSL Wrap Up & 2020 30 AUSTIN’S PERTH DOCTOR 36 DABS DUZI JOZI JOL 48 WEST COAST CANOE CHALLENGE 50 FREEDOM PADDLE
FEATURED
34 PADDLE BUG SPREADS 40 AN EXTREME ADVENTURE 62 TOKYO CALLING 63 THULE SURFBOARD PADS 70 SAFETRX How to Guide 74 HELP UP
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SCOUTING & PORTAGING 64 SUP PADDLING TECHNIQUE 66 CALLING FOR RESCUE 78 CANOE POLO 101
REGULARS
8 FROM THE ED 80 CALENDARS 87 RADAR & EVINRUDE
ON THE COVER
TECHNIQUE
ATHELETE Jenna Ward PHOTOGRAPHER Anthony Grote EVENT Drak Challenge 2020
CONTRIBUTORS JAMII HAMLIN
DAVE MACLEOD After getting into paddling at high school, Dave embarked on a career in journalism, working at Capital Radio, East Coast Radio and the SABC before starting Gameplan Media in 1997. An avid reader and writer, he works closely with many paddling events around the country
AUSTIN KIEFFER Currently the number one ranked Surfski racer in America and placed 8th in the 2017 World Championships. He discovered Surfski in 2012 and had a breakthrough season becoming the 2014 National Champion. In 2016, he turned his attention to the Surfski World Series and competed with success at major events across North America, Australia & Asia. Since then, he has placed in the top 5 in many international races around the world and capped off his 2017 season with a podium finish at the Doctor in Perth. Currently, Austin is living and training in San Diego, CA with his new wife/love of his life, Emily.
GRAHAM DANIEL Graham Daniel - Former athlete, staying involved in sport to fuel his life passion by sharing moments of excellence and achievement, supporting those who are doing and being part of it all. “simply searching to make a difference, to showcase the talents, efforts and abilities of others, to share with humanity the wonderful moments we create and enjoy each experience.”
KEVIN BRUNETTE Kevin is an established surfski paddler, having completed three Cape Point Challenges. He is motivated by technique and boat speed, and can often be seen on the water perfecting his stroke or at the gym working on his fitness. He has authored and published a number of books of surfski. They are available in epub, pdf or kindle formats. Google ‘surfski book’ for the links.
Jamii is an inventor, product designer and eco-entrepreneur. These pursuits have yielded him acclaim with numerous accolades, including a SABS Design Award for The Performer Canoe Seat to relieve paddlers of ‘dead leg’. With an appetite for outdoor pursuits he discovered surfsking as a summer time activity until the waves got heavy again. With 12 Cape Points, 8 PE2ELs and 5 Bergs later the passion and quest to paddle continues. Writing, photography, restoring or creating things are hobbies he enjoys.
CELLIERS KRUGER Writer of paddling books; designer and manufacturer of some of the most innovative kayaks on the market; expedition paddler with descents on four continents; veteran of races like Dusi, Fish and Berg; freestyle kayaker representing SA at World Championships; safety kayaker and raft guide on various rivers in Africa and Europe; excompetitor in canoe polo and raft racing; experienced in open canoeing, surfski, slalom, wildwater racing and oar rafting; mechanical engineer with intimate understanding of fluid dynamics; reluctant coach and eternal student.
RUSSELL SADLER Born in Scottburgh on the KZN South coast to lifesaving and paddling legend Mickey Sadler. He made the SA Sprint canoeing team to World Cup in Holland and World Champs in Japan the following year. He has represented SA for lifesaving as competitor and as National coach for 8 years, as well as being head coach at Marine LSC for the past 5 years. “I have made a life out of ocean racing, having been part of the hugely successful Ocean Warriors Iron Man Racing Series phenomenon that culminated with a non stop Iron Man relay from Cape Town to Durban which I was privileged to part of.” Currently director of operations for the newly relaunched WORLD SURF SKI LEAGUE, he is hoping to make a difference to the sport of surf ski.
GEORGINA TAGGART
JENNIE DALLAS
RICHARD KOHLER
GAME PLAN MEDIA
A KAYAK LIFE
ISLAND SUP & SURF
PHOTOGRAPHY Athony Grote Graham Daniel Vagabond Kayaks Help Up A Kayak Life Mark Kupcyek Austin Kieffer Louis Hattingh Jennie Dallas Kim Shaw Jamii Hamlin NSRI Tessa Brunette Megan Blackbeard
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FB @thepaddlemag IG @thepaddlemag PUBLISHER Terrence Pomeroy-Ward terrence@thepaddlemag.co.za AD SALES admin@thepaddlemag.co.za DESIGNER Tracy Ward ADMIN admin@thepaddlemag.co.za
FROM THE ED Wow, as 2020 gets going I think that everyone is hoping for a much better year than last year. More rain for the river race organisers, more paddlers for the sprints and marathons and more involvement in the clubs for the committees. So often when the club gets to host a race it comes down to a few individuals to carry the can. We can only hope. But we are off to a great start, while the rain gods may not have heard all the drum beating and offers to run around naked if there was enough rain for the recent Drak Challenge. They certainly did hear some of it and the Drak was paddled in low water but by all accounts a lot more water than last year. Let’s hope that this trend continues. The other exciting thing to report is that CSA (and other federations) wow a huge battle in November with SASCOC. Traditionally SASCOC has been allowed to impose their own rules
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that superseded IOC in terms of who qualifies for the Olympics but this was overturned at the end of November 2019 placing the selection firmly in the hands of the federation. Unfortunately it came too late for our athletes whose berths had already been allocated to the runners up at the African qualifiers. But it is a victory worth celebrating. Although with the proposed amendments to the National Sport and Recreation Bill, 2020 the victory may be short lived. If you are a follower of the Yin Yang principle then this one is for you. At the same time as I was wading my way through the Sports and Rec Bill and wondering if sports in South Africa would survive much after the introduction of it I was given a box full of the old SA Paddler magazines from Rob McLean. I have to tell you that my wife and I sat on the couch and as we thumbed through the magazines we read to each other tip bits of the stories for weeks after
that. It is good to see how paddlers that are now house hold names started out and to be reminded of their amazing accomplishments over the years. The other great read at the moment is I got sent a copy of “The Liffey Descent” by Iain Maclean. I have only just started reading it and am loving it so far. The race was first paddled in 1960 so it is steeped in wonderful history from the kayaks themselves to the people that paddled / organised and shaped the race. It is fascinating reading. Sorry I wanted to finish before the mag came out but then the Bill got in the way. Let us also be the first ones to remind you that this is an Olympic year! So on behalf of all the writers at The Paddle Mag we would like to wish all the athletes that intend competing all the very best in their final preparations. We cannot wait to cheer you on. Ed.
Breaking News
Read more from the DUSI...
DUSI BOOSTED BY SOLID PARTNERSHIP Following years of support for the sport of canoeing, through their team of elite athletes, and the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Euro Steel have reassured Natal Canoe Club of their commitment to South Africa’s most iconic canoe marathon from 27-29 February 2020. Following the recent chemical spill into the Baynespruit from the Willowton site, the state of our river system’s has come under the spotlight even further and through some proactive work Euro Steel have decided to make a difference. “The major issue facing us right now is water quality,” said Doug Gow, the newly elected Chairman of NCC.
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“The partnership with Euro Steel, who have invested in the Save Our Rivers campaign, will ensure direct action is taken on the issues the Msunduzi and uMngeni Rivers currently face.” Euro Steel support Save our Rivers which has four different action points on the river covering; sewerage blockage monitoring in Pietermaritzburg, water testing of the uMngeni, a plastic and nappy pick-up team and a water-hyacinthto-fuel plant at Pumphouse Weir.
These teams operate daily to ensure a better quality river system for paddlers but more importantly, will improve the quality of potable water for both the for
the communities residing alone the river banks as well as the greater Durban Metro area. Colin Wilson, CEO of Euro Steel and a Dusi age category winner, has embraced the opportunity to invest in the community beyond the paddlers themselves. “Our paddling team have provided exceptional results over the years, and continue to do so,” he said. “This extension of our involvement towards ensuring good water for all is testament to our philosophy of partnering with people. “As rivers are the life blood of our country, it is incumbent on us to expand on these activities on a
national basis going forward.The lack of clean water is becoming critical. “We will start this process organically and expand where possible.” Newly appointed Dusi Chairman, Shane Le Breton, added that the initiatives brought forward by Euro Steel have resulted in some exciting developments which will add huge value to the race; and excite some older paddlers who may have thought the paddling challenge had lost its appeal. “We’ll be announcing these changes in the weeks building up to the race and are sure that the focus on participant safety, spectator enjoyment and family involvement will be well received.
“Taking dynamic activations from various sports and bringing them into the Dusi mix, we hope, will ensure that paddlers and supporters will see an active, positive shift in the event.” “Paddlers look for good water and the water system is currently at some of the most exciting levels in nine years. We would encourage entries as soon as possible so that we can put all our plans in place to make it a memorable experience.” Entries to the Dusi are flowing into the NCC offices following the successful hosting of the Ozzie Gladwin canoe marathon which showed a significant growth for the first time since the national drought.
This event plays a major role in determining the ultimate seeding of the top paddlers for the Dusi. International paddlers are being attracted to the three day challenge from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, with the Irish duo of Donnach Brennan and Tadhg de Barra confirmed to be part of the race. Position holders in Ireland’s most prolific river marathon the Liffey Descent, they arrive on South African soil with known pedigree. Race entries are open and can be done through the website WWW.DUSI.CO.ZA or the race office.
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RACE RELATED
DUSI
DUO’S IMAGES Anthony Grote
Sbonelo Khwela and Thulani Mbanjwa
Stewart Little and Jacques Theron.
Andy Birkett and Khumbulani Nzimande
SETTLED DUSI COMBOS BARE THEIR TEETH
up through the pre-Dusi seeding races and a number of pairs have put their hands up as potential champions in 2020.
to whoever he is paddling with and if their early Dusi season form is anything to go by ‘Birmande’ will be tough to beat.
If an innocent bet is a pastime of yours and there are odds for the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon, it would be a safe bet to put some hard-earned South African Rands on nine-time champion Andy Birkett and the young Khumbulani Nzimande.
Out to give them a strong run for their money are the experienced former winners of the race Sbonelo Khwela and Thulani Mbanjwa.
With seeding all but sewn up at the sharp end of the field for the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon, the potential podium occupants continue to chop and change but it’s safe to say that the top three will come from both the men’s and women’s races will come from these crews.
‘Birmande’ are a potent combination of experience, power and exuberance. Birkett’s all-round skill coupled with the raw talent of the determined Nzimande will see the pair take on the mantle of favourites going into the race.
It’s been an exciting build-up to this year’s Dusi as crews size each other
Birkett has won the last three K2 Dusi’s with three different partners which shows how adaptable he is
Banetse Nkhoesa and Msawenkosi Mtolo 14 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
It’s safe to say that they haven’t had the best build up for the race, but you can never count them out because there are few paddlers that know the Valley of a Thousand Hills better than those two. When they click, because it is inevitable, they will be potent and maybe they will peak just in time for the Dusi in a few weeks’ time. One of the most consistent pairs throughout the Dusi seeding races so far has been Stewart Little and
Jacques Theron. The age gap is astounding but their partnership in a boat resembles something like a well-oiled machine and they will most definitely be fighting it out for a spot on the podium come Saturday, 29 February. Those three crews could be the ones that finish with gold, silver and bronze; however there are a few crews that will want to shake up that potential podium. Banetse Nkhoesa and Msawenkosi Mtolo are most definitely a threat to those potential podium finishers. Nkhoesa has a more than sound Dusi pedigree with a second in a K2 in 2018 with Sbonelo Khwela; this was after he recovered from a stab wound over the December period. Mtolo has grown in stature over
the years to become one of Martin Dreyer’s FNB Change a Life Academy’s strongest paddlers. They have produced the goods early in the season and could well replicate their form over the three days between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The Natal Canoe Club challenge will definitely come from the evergreen Ant Stott and Carl Folscher. Stott has won the Dusi on four occasions with his first win coming in 1998, to put that in perspective, it was three years before last year’s first Under 18 David Evans was born. He won his last Dusi in 2008 and it would be a cherry on the top if he could add a podium finish twelve years later.
Folscher and Hungarian ace Adrian Boros finished in a commanding second place overall in 2018 so he has the ability to mix it up with the top crews so don’t be surprised if these two Maritzburg locals knock that podium door down. Another pair that has never managed to fulfil their potential on the Dusi stage is the Houston brother’s duo of Andrew and Alan. In the previous two K2 Dusi’s they have been right in the mix going into the final day, however ‘Dusi Guts’ has hit and they haven’t been able to compete for a podium spot. This year they have changed their attack around and older brother Andrew will drive the boat and they hope that this will help in a change of fortunes for them.
Ant Stott and Carl Folscher. THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 15
This year’s women’s showdown will be a tight one and if 2019 was anything to go by then we are in for an absolute treat. Few will forget Christie Mackenzie and Tamika Haw’s dice right to the line at Blue Lagoon and it seems that there isn’t a crew that has taken the favourites tag head on. The Haw sisters have reunited for the 2019 Dusi and showed that they are improving with a win at the recent Ozzie Gladwin. They have a Dusi podium finish together already, finishing third as an Under 23 pair in 2016 – but that
was the last Dusi younger sister Bianca competed in. Jenna Ward and Kyeta Purchase, the flat-water marathon aces, have shown some strong form. They won both the 50 Miler and the Mfula to Inanda races so they cannot be written off and are probably licking their lips at the slog across Inanda Dam. Another ladies crew that cannot be ruled out is Bridgitte Hartley and Tracey Oellermann. They have had some strong results recently but will need to put in three flawless days of racing to
Bridgitte Hartley and Tracey Oellermann
Tamika and Bianca Haw 16 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
finish at the top of the podium. There is one ladies crew that is still untested and that is the Christie Mackenzie/Cana Peek combination. They haven’t raced together yet but are both former Dusi champions which might just hand them the favourites tag, despite their lack of racing. However the top crews look when they line-up on the morning of Thursday, 27 February you can best believe that the three days will produce plenty of drama and excitement all the way to Blue Lagoon.
GAMEPLAN MEDIA
Jenna Ward and Kyeta Purchase
RACE RELATED
CHLOE’S
CAPE POINT & MORE
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TPM What was your favourite part of the race? CB My Favourite part of the race was when I reached Miller’s Point, I have done many Miller’s Runs and I think it is because from here to the finish everything is familiar. Even though at times it felt as though Roman Rock lighthouse was not getting any closer, it is a good part of the race for me as I can focus firmly on Fish Hoek bay. TPM Did you see any sea life to be concerned about? CB No, but then I definitely do not look for any “big” fish. I did seal a very big seal, which scared me more than the headwind. The best was seeing a couple of penguins bobbing along near Simon’s Town on the way back. TPM It is not easy to keep track of all the other women out there – when did you realise that you had won? CB It is not easy for us either. Heading up to the Point we all stayed roughly together. We could see each other as we all turned. The swell was pretty big at the point and I caught a big run at the turn can and took the lead. The problem was that once we turned we all took slightly different lines, I kind of knew I was staying up there amongst the top women. After Smitswinkel Bay it flattened out a bit as it had started to turn into a headwind, around Miller’s Bridgette caught me, so I knew I must have lost concentration and lost some time. This is where I decided to make a break and just go for it, I felt good so even though it was 12km to go I went for it all the way to the finish line. When I caught a wave into the beach and heard Oscar on the mic say - “First women across the line is Chloe
Bunnett” was the first moment I actually knew I had won! TPM How does it compare to your 2014 win? CB The win in 2014 was great and it made me realise it was possible, but the first win never really sunk in. This win meant a lot to me and I realised more this time what I have accomplished. TPM What do you think about starting and finishing in Fish Hoek? CB I actually enjoyed starting at Fish Hoek, if we can’t round Cape Point because of the conditions I think starting at Fish Hoek is better than Simon’s Town. One reason was we had an extra hour in bed, but the main reason is that the facilities at the lifesaving club are open, so it is easier for us. TPM What keeps bringing you back to do this race? CB The challenge brings me back year after year, every year is different. I have had all the conditions possible, except for a pure calm day (maybe next year). We love Fish Hoek, we are made to feel so welcome there that it feels like home when we go back. I want to get my permanent number so I have two more years to go to reach my 10th CPC.
I receive from The Wildog Squad training programs are fantastic. Linton and Hayley are great coaches and it has made a huge difference having a proper structure to follow throughout the year. Also I have to mention that being able to have my favourite surfski wherever I race is amazing, LivingSea and Carbonology Sport make sure that I have a Carbonology Sport PULSE at all my races. TPM What is your favourite part of paddling? CB Meeting people, that’s my favourite part of paddling. I have met so many people and made so many friends all over the world. I have always had a love for the ocean, so just being out on the ocean is amazing and I am lucky to be able to do it almost everyday. TPM You spend a lot of time in airports – how do you kill the time? CB You might laugh but now when we have less than 4 hours in the airport I wonder if there is enough time. I have a lounge pass as we fly often, and time goes quickly in lounges. It is very peaceful in the lounges and a quick shower along with a good cuppa makes travelling enjoyable.
TPM You had an amazing 2019 in terms of number of races done and the results, what do you attribute your success too? CB I have to put done to commitment and dedication, but with the correct support around me it has made my year easier. I have full support from Pete, my partner, and he travels to my races with me which makes all the trips like mini holidays! Then the support
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IMAGES Anthony Grote
RACE RELATED
DRAK 2020 Andy Birkett paddled to a runaway victory in the 2020 N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB and in the process became the sole holder of the record for the most number of titles in the Underberg classic.
Going into the 27th edition of the two day 75 kilometre race on the Mzimkhulu River Birkett shared the record for the most number of wins with Ant Stott, with six titles each. He started the tough 38 kilometre final stage from Swartberg Road bridge to Hopewell Farm with 20 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
a two minute lead over Hank McGregor, and in a juggernaut performance the Euro Steel racer more than doubled his lead before he arrived at the finish of the race.
“I really am not one for records at all,” he deflected. “Every race is different, and each race you start is a totally new challenge.” “I come to Underberg every year because I really enjoy paddling this river, and enjoy the whole weekend of activities here,” he said. “This race and the regions means such a lot to me that to be able to
win it again has special significance to me,” he added. Racing on a low and testing Mzimkhulu River Birkett powered away in the elapsed time start to try and stretch his lead paddling through the Underberg Gorge.
“I kept on looking over my shoulder to see if Hank (McGregor) was coming!” he added. He needn’t have worried as his determined solo charge saw his lead balloon to over seven minutes by the time he was the first boat across the line.
McGregor said his solitary race, with Birkett out of site and several minutes clear of the chasing Under 23 speedster Hamish Lovemore, allowed him to focus on maintaining his own pace throughout the day. “I was kinda in no-man’s-land! So I could chill out and focus on my own race, and with more water than the first day it was a lot more forgiving for the heavier paddlers,” he said. Lovemore wrapped up third ahead of the dogged Stew Little, with Khumbulani Nzimande posting the second fastest time of the final stage
to leap-frog up to fifth overall. The women’s race title fell to Jenna Ward for the second time, as she raced a tactically astute race to protect her first stage lead and avoid any exhaustion or technical mistakes on the long final stage. “It is a real thrill to win this race again, particularly because it was held over the full Drak course. The last time I won it it was held over the Short Course, and it feels good to claim that you won a Drak when it was raced from the top start,” she said.
Ward was impressive in not making any mistakes in the myriad of rapids littered with rocks, made technically difficult by the low river conditions. “It feels unreal to have had two flawless days!” she said. Dusi champ Christie Mackenzie mirrored Hank McGregor’s race and paced herself well to wrap up her best Drak result. Behind her however the race’s most notable performance came from Bridgitte Hartley. After a nightmarish first stage that left her a distant sixth, she decided to stage THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 21
a herculean solo charge, arguably fuelled by her frustration from the first stage. Leaving everything out on the water she posted the fastest time in the
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women’s race on the final stage by five minutes to blitz onto the podium and claim third from Tamika Haw. The event was well supported by a
huge field of paddlers who enjoyed the weekend filled with activities under the umbrella of the FNB Drak Adventure Weekend.
DAVE MACLOED
MEN 1.Andy Birkett 4:24:46 2.Hank McGregor 4:32:00 3.Hamish Lovemore 4:32:57 4.Stew Little 4:33:08 5.Khumbulani Nzimande 4:34:42 6.Alan Houston 4:36:25 7.Andrew Houston 4:37:39 8.Owen Gandar 39:39 9.Jacques Theron39:50 10.Carl Folscher 4:40:33
RESULTS
WOMEN 1.Jenna Ward 5:10:06 2.Christie Mackenzie 5:12:32 3.Bridgitte Hartley 5:13:10 4.Tamika Haw 5:20:55 5.Hilary Bruss 5:26:39 THULE CHALLENGE (PADDLE/MTB/RUN) MIXED Carl Folscher/Grant Underwood/Kerry-Ann Walton 12:05:07 (overall winners) MEN Andrew Houston/Damon Stamp/Sihle Ngcobo 12:20:18 WOMEN Tamika Haw/Hayley Smith/Sarah Kirk 14:10:06
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RACE RELATED
WHAT A SCREAM
Mine Rapid, Klip River in images IMAGES Mark Kupcyek 24 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
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RACE RELATED
IMAGE World Surfski League 2019 must surely go down in the history as the breakout year for international professional surf ski due to the unprecedented and overwhelming prize purses on offer at all the major races as well as the cherry on the top, an overall aggregate prize purse for the World Surf Ski League. 6 races, 5 continents,
top 4 races to count towards the USD 150 000 prize purse split equally between the sexes.
RACE 1,VORTEX THE GORGE saw the evergreen Teneale Hatton and a prepared and driven Kenny Rice take out the maximum 150 WSSL points in an awesome race on the majestic Hood river
in the USA. The nicest guy on tour, Austin Kiefer pushed Kenny all the way to the end and bagged himself 140 WSSL points for his effort ahead of Cory Hill. In the ladies race it was Rachel Clark who fought hard to finish in 2nd place ahead of upcoming star Ana Swetish bagging themselves 140 and 130 WSSL points
respectively.
RACE 2, CHINA SILVER ASSET MANAGEMENT IRISH COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS run in testing conditions along the mind blowing coastline of the emerald isle. 25knot direct offshore winds forced the ICPC safety committee to opt for a shortened course and extra lap around Dalkey Island. With his on form brother and ICF Surf Ski world number 2 opting to give this race a miss the ICF World Champ Sean Rice blitzed the field for a convincing win ahead of the German giant that is Gordon “ the Flash� Harbrecht with Cory Hill taking out another 3rd place. The ladies race was a wide open affair with lots of points on offer as the majority of the top players opted to give this one a miss. Hayley Nixon showed her usual class and romped home to a victory and 150 WSSL points ahead of Georgia Laird and Lizelle Kemp putting up their best international results to date.
RACE 3, CHINA SILVER ASSET MANAGEMENT, WEST COAST EXPRESS. The Cape of storms had racers and organisers on the edge of their seats with changing forecasts and torrential flooding the day before and the day after the race. Race day dawned to one of the best days of the year welcoming the paddlers to the start at Melkbos Strand for a reverse course with little to no wind predicted. The ladies race was loaded with world class paddlers and was one of the few races on the calendar where ladies entrants nearly equalled the mens. Hayley Nixon put her head down and settled into the 20km grind to finish ahead of Michele Burn and Nicole Birkett to take her WSSL total score to 300 points. The mens top 2 was a repeat of the ICF
world championships that saw the Rice brothers put on a show for their home crowd with Sean taking the win over Kenny and the next Capetonian and Orka Squad member to watch in 2020 Nic Notten hanging in for bronze.
RACE 4, STEELCASE DRAGON RUN. STACKED was the word of the day for the mens and ladies field ready to tough it out in the South China Sea. Conditions were prime with some rebound bumps to assist on the way out to the 9 pins and some really fast bumps on the downwind section. The anomaly that took open ocean surf ski by storm at ICF world Champs earlier in the year Danni Mckenzie took control of the ladies race early on and never looked back. The fight for 2, 3 and 4 between Hayley Nixon, Teneale Hatton and Rachel Clark was fierce and saw Hayley take out 2nd and 140 WSSL points with Teneale in 3 and Rachel in 4 bagging 130 and 120 WSSL points respectively. The mens race was a chaotic affair from the start siren, the young sprint sensation Jackson Collins went out hard with a point to prove and kept the pressure on the big Chill, Cory Hill, all the way to the finish where a little bit of swell riding experience locked in a further 150 WSSL points for Cory. The big upset came with Sean Rice placing 7th only having committed to 4 races in the series would this result cost him in the end.
RACE 5,THE DOCTOR. Say what you like, the Aussies can put on a show. As the culmination of what has to be the best week of ocean racing on the planet the Perth Doctor showed up bang on time for a blistering race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento beach. 25knots of South South West had the ladies and men screaming down the 27km course. Dani once again put some daylight
2020
13-20 July
Gorge Downwind Champs, Portland, USA
13 September CSAM Irish Coast Paddling Champs, Dublin, Ireland
31 October
CSAM West Coast Express, Cape Town, South Africa
14 November
Steelcase Dragon Run, Hong Kong
28 November
The Doctor, Perth, Australia
12 December
The Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches, Sydney, Australia
between her rivals pretty early on in the race and surfed all the way home for another victory. Georgia Laird happily putting 140 WSSL points on her WSSL tally and Jordy Mercer adding 130 points to her 120 she scored at the Gorge in July. Hayley Nixon secured the WSSL ladies title and USD8500 with a race to spare. In the mens race Sean Rice and Cory Hill battled it out at the front from the moment they hit the open ocean with Jacko Collins placed between Cory on the far right line and Sean on the far left. At around the 22km mark everything just seemed to line up for Cory and he ran the whole way home bagging another 150 points.
RACE 6,THE SHAW AND PARTNERS 20 BEACHES.
What better place to round off the inaugural WSSL season than Sydneys famous Northern beaches. It was always going to be a tough race, especially when Kenny Rice announced that he had changed his travel plans and would be at the 20 Beaches to give the WSSL title a go. In order for the South African to take the title from Cory Kenny would HAVE to win and Cory would have to place 3rd or below! It was going to a ding dong. Downwind conditions again eluded the racers but that didn’t hurt the top end of either field. Cory and Dani romped home with emphatic leads that secured the WSSL mens title for Cory and placed Dani 4th over all having only raced three out of the allowable four races for the series taking maximum points in all three
races. At the end of it all Dean Gardiner handed out the China Silver Asset Management WSSL perpetual trophies to the winners as well as keep sake tophies top 7 men and women surf ski paddlers in the world at the Shaw and Partners 20 beaches prize giving. We are at the dawn of new era in surf ski with sponsors like China Silver Asset Managent, Shaw and Partners,Vaikobi, Steelcase and people like Earl Evans, Justin Ryan, Pat Langley, Patrick Maloney, Carter Johnsen and Uli Gwinner behind the sport we can only be moving into bigger and better things. www.worldsurfskileague.com
RUSSELL SADLER
RACE RELATED
THE DOCTOR 2019 An Adventure and a Race
AUSTIN KIEFFER
IMAGES Austin Kieffer
SINCE JANUARY, I KNEW THE SHAW AND PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL SURFSKI RACE, “THE DOCTOR,” WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE EVENTS ON MY CALENDAR. For
starters, it marked the last race of my 2019 season and my final chance to earn points in the 2019 World Surfski League. On top of that, the race boasted one of the most stacked fields of the year, an enormous prize purse, thanks to Shaw and Partners, and the prestige of one of the most iconic events in our sport. And if that isn’t enough, The Doctor brings the thrill of a true ocean crossing. The race course spans 27 kilometers across the Indian Ocean from Rottnest Island to the Australian mainland. With all of these factors at play, my day was always going to be an exciting one, but I had no idea what I was in for when I woke up on race morning. The first challenge The Doctor presents 30 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
is getting yourself and your boat over to Rottnest Island for the start of the race. This year I was lucky enough to be included in a luxurious yacht crossing, thanks to a group of Western Australian locals, one of whom generously donated his gorgeous 60-foot yacht for the morning. The yacht made the first part of the day incredibly easy. Everyone in the group drove to the harbor on race morning, we tied our boats down on the high bow deck and off we went. The boat was incredible. What a way to start the day! Everyone was grinning as we roared out to Rottnest. The sun was shining, the sky was a clear blue, the water was a vibrant turquoise and the wind was just starting to pick up for what looked like ideal crossing conditions. Looking out towards Rottnest, I fell into a relaxed silence, thinking about the race start in a mere two hours. Suddenly, I was jerked out of my reverie as the yacht shuddered. The cabin lights shut off and then engines died. I looked around in confusion. The rest of the passengers were doing the same. I got up and looked towards the back deck to see billowing black smoke spewing
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from the engine compartment. Panic and confusion started in earnest. There was a fire in the engine room underneath the deck. The captain and first mate hurried to the engine room hatch and emptied a full fire extinguisher down into the engine room. The ladder was so hot that any decent into the room for further inspection was impossible. The crew and passengers dissolved two groups. Half the group was convinced that the problem was neutralized and we just needed to work out some logistics, while the other half went into full emergency mode thinking the boat would go up in flames any minute. I was torn hearing conviction on both sides. The only thing that everyone agreed on was that we definitely were not going to make it to the start of the race on time. That’s when I heard someone yell, “start untying the skis!” Well, I thought, I guess it’s abandon ship. I scrambled to my bag and changed into my race outfit as quickly as possible, grabbing my paddle along the way. I climbed up onto the top deck to join Kenny and Sean Rice. Sean’s face was a mask of calm resolve and I just caught the end of his conversation with Kenny, “alright, we’ve got to start paddling if we are going to make it to the start. It’s time to go.” They were going to paddle to the start?! Oh man, that would mean at least an hour of paddling against the building wind. The best case scenario would be if we could arrive 30 minutes to rest before the race started, then battle a field of fresh athletes. I must have broken some kind of speed eating record as I forced down my packed lunch and then I was out on the top deck untying skis. With the back of the boat still 32 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
billowing smoke and no high dock to help unloading the boats, the only way to get into the water was to throw the skis overboard and jump in after them. Skis and people started splashing down into the water. I laughed to myself, at the very least this will make one heck of a story. I threw myself overboard as my ski was tossed in after me.
touch with the leaders and then slowly make my way through the field as the wind and the waves began to build.
I would love to say my race went exactly to plan and our harrowing adventure ended with a glowing success, but this was not the case. My conservative start turned into a painful struggle and before the first The situation miraculously took a 10 minutes had passed, my hopes turn for the better as a few rescue of being “in touch with the leaders” boats drove up just as I scrambled was well and truly gone. I just didn’t into my ski. The coastguard was on feel like myself. As the field rounded their way to help the yacht while the first turn and started into the race rescue boats heading to run small building waves, I decided to safety for the race just happened to take a bit of a gamble. Knowing be passing by. In a matter of minutes, I wasn’t firing on all cylinders, I they were plucking athletes out of turned slightly off course to follow the water and tying on boats. Before the direction of the waves. My I knew it, my boat and I were loaded hope was that even though I was into a crammed rescue boat and we not taking the most direct route, I sped off to the start. could gather myself surfing directly with the swell and then gradually Note: As the story leaves our make my way back onto the race stranded captain and his yacht, line. The building waves would I just want to note that he was theoretically allow me to cut at rescued and towed back to the great speed back to the race line. harbor safely. And to give a little The strategy, though maybe viable more context, his incredible yacht if executed well, did not work the did experience a serious engine way I intended. I was able to gather fire on our journey over, but the myself slightly, but when I finally built-in fire suppression system started cutting back, the angle of shut off the engines and doused the surf was so extreme that I made no fire internally. Without that safety initial progress back to the race line, system in place I was told that the I only stopped veering off course. boat mostly likely would have burnt Despite everything, I gave the race to a shell in a matter of minutes and my all. I had told myself I would fight likely sunk. to the last second of this race so I put my head down and tried to find The next ninety minutes sped by and before I knew it, I was sitting on a rhythm. the start line with the starting siren As the waves continued to build in blaring. the second half of the race, I was finally able to make headway cutting I had been training for this race for back to the race line. Inch by inch, the last three months. The training I clawed my way across the waves. had gone almost exactly as planned I knew that everyone’s line would and the final two weeks of prep eventually converge at the final had been perfect. My strategy was turn marker and I just hoped that to start conservatively but stay in
I hadn’t fallen dramatically behind. Finally I saw the marker in the distance and suddenly I went from being alone to being surrounded by paddlers. I was back online and once I hit the marker there was only 5 kilometers left. As I rounded the final marker and lined up the downwind to the finish line, I could see at least 6 athletes surfing around me. We had all converged and it looked like 6th to 12th place would be decided in the next 15 minutes of surfing. A confidence I had lacked all race rose inside me. This section was where I excelled. The waves were fantastic, the direction was perfect and I had absolutely flown through this section with ease the three times I had paddled it in practice. “Here we go!” I thought, time to salvage this race. I saw my first opening and went for it. It was an easy move jumping over the shoulder of a wave to move
ahead. I took the 6 power strokes I knew it would take to get there … but I never made it. I kept going 8, 10, then 12 sprint strokes, but the window closed and I missed the move entirely. I didn’t understand what was going on. Did I have weed? I wasn’t sure. Ok, I thought to myself, shake it off, you’ve still got this. Just focus. I checked in with my body and though I had been racing hard, I wasn’t redlined and should be perfectly capable surfing the way I wanted. I waited for an extra few seconds on the wave I was riding, just to be sure. Finally, as rested as I could be in a race, I saw another opening and I went for it. I failed, again. I tried and failed two more times and realized I just wasn’t able to surf and attack like my normal self. My mind was reeling, but I had to adapt. I started only going for small to moderate moves, moves that even in my current state I could make. I was still surfing well, even if
I didn’t have any power. I just hoped that would be enough for a top 10 finish. I tapped into a rhythm and did everything I could. There were still athletes all around me. Every move and wave mattered. As I approached the beach and the final run up the sand, I looked to my right to see Kenny on the same wave. I knew this wasn’t where Kenny had hoped to be either, but I knew he would fight me all the way to the finish line no matter what. We hit the beach together and I just closed my eyes and ran. It wasn’t pretty, but it was just enough to sneak ahead of Kenny and take 10th place overall. Without question, this 2019 Doctor race result was not how I wanted to end the season, but part of the thrill of racing is you never know what will happen. I optimized everything I could control, and on the day with that incredible field of athletes, I was proud of my preparation, my race day effort and a top ten finish.
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FEATURED JENNIE DALLAS Gauteng Canoe Union
PADDLE BUG SPREADS Youth take to the canoeing world
GARETH BARBERTON | AGE 15 Gareth Barberton from Pretoria went on a family touring kayak trip on the Orange and he loved it so much - his adopted parents arranged for him to come on a proficiency trip on the local Klip river in Meyerton in November 2019..... he hardly needed to be told what to do - how to read the water - he must have learned a lot on that one touring kayak Orange river trip
- he was an absolute natural!!! He is looking forward to doing more river trips in the school holidays. He was so impressive at the caravan park rapid which intimidates even experienced paddlers and has a high swim rate he just enjoyed it so much and couldnt stop trying to surf it and playing in it....Video LINK He was in a borrowed Sabre never tried before which was actually
much too small for his long legs, and he didnt mind - just made it work such balance! First time in a racing Kayak on the river, in rapids and completed the 10km proficiency trip section with NO hesitation, NO mistakes, NO nerves - just sheer pleasure - like he was “home” at last..
Broken Weir, on the Two Day Klip is his “favourite rapid!”. 34 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
HOW DID YOU GET INTO CANOEING? Through the Sea Scout Group. My mom suggested that she and I prepare to do our Scouting flat water canoe charge. So we started training at the Academy for Canoe Development in January 2018. Then I attended Esti’s April school holiday training camp that year and decided this is the sport I want to do.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE? I enjoy both K1 sprints and marathons WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE RAPID? So far Sjambok on the Orange River WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL/ HERO IN CANOEING? Esti and Fouche van Tonder
VHUTSHILO ELLIOT MAMBURU | AGE 17 Vhutshilo Elliot Mamburu who has paddled school league past year is called Chilly Boy by his friends and family - he says its because he’s so “chilled” doesnt get upset about stuff, and is easy to go with the flow. He was introduced to his first river ever on 16 November 2019, having lived in a township all his life in Johannesburg western area. Chilly boy was part of a group that was invited to participate in the dragonboat races next door to the canoe club but their coach noticed he kept watching the canoeists and suggested he pop next door and sign up for the community development program - which he did. He says his long term dreams are
to one day bring his children to enjoy this wonderful sport that gives him so much pleasure and to do the Dusi. His hero’s are Hank Mc Gregor (KZN / world marathon champion) and Wayne Jacobs (top paddler in Gauteng) who he admires tremendously. At 17 years of age, he looks forward to another year of school league racing. Having done a few learner trips with our group partnered by Moshe Nghomane (also a township youth from nearby Soweto who joined the Florida Lake Canoe Club community development program and has become an assistant coach) who mentored and encouraged him, they successfully finished Elliot’s FIRST river race - the TWO DAY
KLIP - a Dusi training race that took place on the Klip river, hosted by Johannesburg Canoe Club (the original club set up in Gauteng) - 33km per day which included portages on both days - and they enjoyed it having a faultless race finishing in 5h19 (both days) as 2nd Under 23 paddlers. He looks forward to being allowed to paddle the rivers on his own - FLCC is a little cautious about ensuring sufficient experience for the youth we coach and encourage as Klip is badly tree infested during the rainy season and we may be going too slow for him, but he’s CHILLED about it - just having fun along the wait!! THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 35
RACE RELATED
IMAGES Jennie Dallas
Dabs Duzi Jozi Jol
36 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
The winning men’s team: Zanenhlahla Mbala and Sibusiso Chwayi, THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 37
Under the start gun! SUNDAY 12 JANUARY 2020
shoulder/arm and leg muscles!
With the infamous Dusi Canoe Marathon taking place at the end February - the worlds toughest Endurance Canoe event from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, since the early 1960’s, Gauteng paddlers are in peak training!!
The training race consisted of a 14km paddle and 3.5km run - a short intensive training sprint!
The Dabulamanzi Dusi JOZI Jol took place at Emmarentia Dam on Sunday 12 January attracting paddlers from throughout the area to use the opportunity to train, including getting OUT of the water to run with boat and putting back into the water to continue training laps. The take out and put in are essential skills to master and the portage with the boat can be difficult and needs practice to strengthen back/
The winning combination in this K2 year (Doubles are K2 - the race alternates annually between K1 and K2 ie one year singles, the next year doubles) as the competitive combination, were two young Sowetan paddlers, Zanenhlahla Mbala and Sibusiso Chwayi, in 1 hour 25 minutes, with Siyabonga and Thando taking second position in 1 hour 27 minutes. Michael Stewart and Alex Roberts took the 3rd podium position, in 1 hour 28 minutes, in the Veteran age category.
Siseko Ntondini from Soweto was the first K1 (Single) finisher, 1 second after the veteran masters! The only ladies team - also veterans finished in 1 hour 55 minutes - Sarah Evans and Sonja Bohnsack from Dabulamanzi Canoe Club. Jason Brown and Kirsty Pott were the Mixed Double finishers (Male/Female combination) in a time of 2 hours 2 minutes. It was a superb sunny pleasant day and much enjoyed! JENNIE DALLAS
Women’s winning team on left- Sarah Evans / Sonja Bohnsack
R X FEATURED
EMEMBERING EFLECTING
AN E
TREME
ADVENTURE
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THE 2011 FALSE BAY CROSSING On the 16th April in the words of Daantjie ‘my Bra’ Malan “As the crow croak’s” the 45km line from to Fish Hoek is not an insurmountable distance but throw in the Cape of Storms legacy of The Flying Dutchman fable, a ghost ship never reaching port along with the other 400 something ships wrecked around the Cape Peninsular Coastline, it’s no wonder that the Great White thrives in abundance in the clasp of False Bay. Having completed a few more Cape Point Challenges than the four Bergs Marathons, four PE-EL Challenges and now a fourth False Bay Crossing, I found myself questioning, “Which is the hardest?” To be totally fair each is significantly difficult as the preparation and journey to every finish line shares a collective story of memorable challenges and camaraderie, yet for shear uniqueness of exposing the fine line between fearing the bully and having faith in your abilities The False Bay Crossing is the measure.
A CROSSING WITH A CAUSE The Strand Downwind Junkies share a common thread as a ‘dysfunctional family’ with motto a “Come Hell South Easter, or High Haai Water”, a liking for downwinds and post paddling puddings of Captain & Coke.The False Bay Crossing was a fundraiser initiative for the Strand Surf Life Saving Club needing to replace their rescue craft outboard engine. For the record, during the 2006/7 Cape Surfski racing seasons Daniel Conradie Memorial hosted by Strand SLSC, Casper Kurger was lost at sea for seven hours in a gale NNW THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 41
IMAGES Kim Shaw downwind from Monwabisi to Gordon’s Bay that had many seasoned paddlers struggling. Fortunately after an extensive combine search by the NSRI, SSLSC and SA Navy helicopter, he was safely rescued off Steenbrass Point suffering from mild hypothermia. In acknowledgement to the NSRI endeavors, Billy Harker campaigned to all surfski paddlers to donate towards this invaluable volunteer service which of October 2010 with an ongoing charity resulted in over R 870 000 raised and the deployment of “The Spirit of Surfski” rescue boat. Now whenever the wind switches north, we call it ‘Casper sé wind’.
SAFETY FIRST The Crossing was not a race, so participation was purely to enjoy the camaraderie and experience the challenge of open water downwind paddling for a good cause. In preparation the NSRI was advised and all safety protocol checked with 42 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
a ‘buddy system’ instilled along with a pre-qualifying criteria. Paddler’s eligibility was based upon recent completion of the PE-EL or Cape Point Challenge with R 1000 ‘entry fee’ raised via individual sponsorship. Tough love for several guys who had qualified and raised sponsorship, whilst some realized their skill limits & chose to step down others were not permitted to load their ski onto the trailer, as standard practice by the Strand Downwind Junkies, Club Captain Herbert Conradie has final say if on the day seasoned experience is lacking.
CALLING THE CONDITIONS In the prevailing autumn conditions making the SE wind become slightly patchy and inconsistent we opted for a lengthy waiting period to ensure that we could chose the ideal conditions. With Easter holidays looming and the following start of the canoeing season, we had two weekends of opportunity remaining before we postponed to the January –February downwind
season, when Windguru lit up better than a Guy Fawkes celebration. Ideally one wants a gale SE over several days to ensure a moderate SE swell is running with a softening but consistent 20knots to make the downwind crossing really enjoyable. Obviously one of the SDJ’s had a dedicated pray hotline with the big guy upstairs as the request was super sized in serving.
LESS IS MORE Originally an elite group of 6 SUP’s were going to join us and in preparation 10 days earlier big wave surfer Chris Bertish had paddled his own fundraiser, a 110km over two days from Cape Town to Langabaan in raging 40 knots that dropped into nothing. For the SUPs they were concerned about wind consistency, the bigger the better. The wooly conditions were looking ideal for them, but when pairs were split with Gary van Rooyen and Pietro Mascus away on business they opted out.
MY PADDLING MATES An unlikely pairing with Justin Swart in my engine room, a former Springbok centre from ’96 - ’98 and part of the triumphant ’98 Tri-nations to beat the All Blacks at home, his 25kg advantage allows a little bit of lift in the nose and perfect tail ballast for ploughing down big runs. Even though the varsity friendship between tail gunners Justin and Marcel would bring a sporadic bust of open fire banter since a mere 14 seconds separated our pairings at the Cape Point Challenge, evenly paced we teamed up with Herbert Conradie & Marcel Basson as our safety buddies.
SMOKE ON THE WATER, FIRE IN THE SKY Thursday and Friday reports from Millers is that the swell is big and cleanish, Tom Schilperoort gets a seal lap dance as others knock time off their PB’s. Saturday dawns with the Helderberg Mountain on fire,
fanned by the gale it rips through 15 houses before cresting over the peak leaving smoke to pour across the bay. Meanwhile the SE swell has kicked in but unknown to us is that the SW swell is still pounding through as readings from Roman Rock are averaging 19.5m/s or 40knots. Brief, pray, load and drive around to Hangklip, we size up the conditions and fully understand the intensity of what is to come. We do a final boat check, Justin confirms his readiness, “I won’t be paddling this unless it’s with you.” Unassuming words but had he had any doubts I would have pulled our plug. Whilst the Fish Hoek boys were preparing for the Molokai, doing six Millers on the trot, the SDJ’s lined up at Maanskyn Baai with a near departure of no return. Six doubles and five singles took to the water when Fouché ‘Chuck’ Whitehead and Stefan du Toit snapped a cable punching the surf.
smoke and cloud obscuring the gap to the left of the Kalk Bay Mountains, half the crew aim a little too far left mistaking the Smitswinkel Mountains as the Fish Hoek heading whilst Gary Cromie and Johan van Rooyen with Paul Lange tag centre with us.
RIDERS OF THE STORM The first hour was playful but cold. Justin and I threaded a few runs to create a gap, then needed to drift paddle allowing Herbert and Marcel to catch up. A little less weight in the nose and a wave deflector meant we didn’t pearl as much. Several things became obvious, the cold water, wind chill factor and there being two opposing swells with different intervals. The deeper we went the harder it became, maintaining any rhythm in the confused chop was a feat, run a little one way then be smacked by a growler on the other side to only repeat the other way round on the next track.
Land mark visibility is tricky with THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 43
The going was slower than expected in needing to pick runs carefully. Bracing against the uncertain chop & half wallowing the ski would flood only making the cold colder. Testing conditions, not impossible, just a little frustrating since it was more laborious work than fun. Unsteady at times and feeling like a novice learning, we began with the right side stroke 1, 2 ,3 brace again and again until we could thread a run or two to help empty the footwells. There were times when without paddling a brute swell picked us up and hurtled us forward like Hercules’ javelin, steering became ineffective as we held on and hoped we don’t hit a speed bump or reach a busy traffic intersection. At an hour thirty we were pushing into the epicenter of the bay, needing to drink, it had taken half an hour to place my tube into my mouth and release the cockstop. Hearing the wind gusts roar up, they threw buckets of water over us much like a Deadliest Catch squall whilst the swells stood up like territorial grizzly bears and smacked against each other like Sumo wrestlers looking to flatten their challenger. Herbert and Marcel were to our left as we laboured on in concentration as now was not a good time to make a mistake.
INTO THE RAGING ABYSS 1h53:21 in the heart of the bay at 24.7km as we enter into a patch were seagulls swooped above, a bully wave picked us up and pole drove us into the depths. We recover, just! Only his following big brother has had a painful childhood and smashes us from behind. My heart rate spikes straight up as our speed zeros beneath the sea. 44 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
Here in the middle of False Bay we are out swimming amongst the dolphins, sharks and seals in a bait ball feeding frenzy. The washing machine sea rolls over us, the birds circle above in an ominous sign as we flaunt a life defining moment few will ever experience. Justin breaks hierarchy and gets in before me that only results in several more swims. The stark realization of the situation floods in as we struggle to turn the ski in line with the heaving swells. Not panicking is critical, when Justin absorbs the dolphins splashing about us he relaxes to let me get in first. My foot strap was set too tight that inhibits me to hold my paddle at the same time, now with a paddle tucked under my arm I scrabble in, turn the ski and gain some momentum to steady us. Justin remounts and after 10min we were paddling again.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN Alone in the bosom of False Bay we realigned our direction for Fish Hoek and pressed on as we gathered our thoughts. I reflected on the fine line between the tipping point of no return to realize how much margin and control you still have even when all seems near lost. Justin & I have a galvanized rapport that was cemented along with Herbert and Craig Tilsley in March 2010 when we aided Jan Schutte in his final moments of life. It was dramatic to conduct a rescue in a regular downwind time trial. We mourned with his family and philosophically made peace with losing a friend to a heart attack in doing something we dearly love. A helicopter passed us 2km right. We wondered if the others are ok or if Herbert fearing the worst had
called a search for us. At 32km we took another swim, my leash slipped loose, the conditions had eased but the cold hadn’t. Smoke from the fire caused the dipping sun to shimmer the sea a golden hue, we saw the silhouette of Sun Valley beam wider as we closed on Fish Hoek. A voice called from behind us, “Manne, wahoooo!!!” It was Herbert and Marcel charging down a run. They had turned back to look for us when we disappeared, now with 8km remaining I had a lump in my throat and felt like a spiritual form living in a Salvador Dali painting.
SHERRY IS AN OLD FRIEND The last yards are bitter sweet. As the sea was such a mess and we were so wide that we didn’t see Roman Rock Lighthouse, coming side on left the ski refused to empty with the waves shortening up and swamping over us. Drenched from what feels more like an upwind head bang than a down wind, we washed into the small reception of nervous 2nds, a few Fish Hoek SLC members amongst them is the Mocke family on hand a give us a cheery welcome. With Rob Hart & Garth Watters taking a detour via Simons Town, Paul Lange had sneaked in minutes earlier than us. Cold yet euphoric! We heard that Nico and Rudi have been rescued by NSRI and the others had safely crossed to Millers. We watch Gary Crommie and 63 year old Johan van Rooyen ease in, followed by Herbie & Marcel who took an unceremonious swim just out side the Fish Hoek Bay. Everyone was accounted for and safe, hot showers with several
glasses of Old Brown Sherry later we begin to thaw out and share our experience. Nico Redelinghuys was awarded the 2010/2011 Strand Downwind Junkies Paddler of the Year, which acknowledges an individual who has improved enormously or has focused energy into their paddling to overcome personal hardships. As a novice Rudi Schultz was the previous season receipt, who with Nico they had finished the 2010 PE-EL Challenge together as paddling buddies. The Crossing was a fine example of selfless commitment to honor the buddy code.
ITINERARY OF EVENTS Maanskyn start 12h40: FouchĂŠ Whitehead and Stefan du Toit snap a cable at start and abort. Pairings form two groups, one heads more southerly the other take a more direct line towards Fish Hoek. The southern line sets up for Whittle Rock passing. Murray Williams having previously done a solo Crossing appealed to Mike Baker to fade right earlier, despite all he honoured the buddy code as Mike mistakes his sights on the Buffels Bay gap left of Smitswinkel. When they reached Smitswinkel Cliffs they were feeling the cold and shortened their Crossing for Millers where they met up with Daantjie Malan & Willem van der Westhuyzen who landed there 15min earlier shivering, Rob and Garth who had lost sight of Daantjie & Willem at the Smitswinkel turn pressed on Time15h55. The northern group, struggled with the visibility of landmarks covered by cloud, and faded right by a 1km or so too early which with the SW swell pushed their line towards Kalk Bay, but also into slightly warmer water where the bait ball was being chased. The group split at 1h45 Paul, Gary and Johan passed closest to
JAMII’S GARMIN STATS DISTANCE 46,17km TIME 3h46m17s TOP SPEED 58km/h- see Garmin track. AVERAGE SPEED 12.2 km/h TOP HEART RATE 156 bpm AVERAGE HEART RATE 122 bpm ELEVATION VARIANCE ON SEA LEVEl max 15m | min -7m THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 45
Roman Rock on a perfect line for Fish Hoek. At 19.5km Nico Redelinghuys began to experience difficulty with hypothermia and struggled to stay upright, Rudi Schultz called the NSRI and advised them of the distress and coordinates. They rafted together and waited for helicopter to locate them, after two hours they were safely rescued by NSRI north east of Whittle Rock. Skis are jettisoned, the remains of Nico’s washed up at Glencairn Beach days later, Rudi’s ski pieces were found at Glencairn reef a month later. Time 16h10
MILLERS FINISHERS Daantjie Malan & Willem van der Westhuyzen 15h40 Murray William 15h55 Mike Baker 15h55 Acknowledgement to Murray and Mike who raised the most amount of sponsorship with R7000 & R3000 respectively.
FISH HOEK FINISHERS Paul Lange: 16h12
IMAGE Jamii Hamlin 46 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
Rob Hart & Garth Watters: 16h21 Jamii Hamlin & Justin Swart: 16h25 Gary Cromie & Johan van Rooyen: 16h27 Herbert Conradie & Marcel Basson: 16H28
VITALS FOR NEXT TIME There is a vast difference between shore side downwind and deep water paddles, especially in big swells with high wind. Unless you have had enough experience in open ocean paddling, 20km from land is daunting even when it is flat. Correct navigation with land marks & Garmin is imperative. It is vital to double check all equipment for seaworthiness as your life will depend upon all of these: smoke flares (the bigger the better), new cables, rudders & paddles nut, charged cellphone batteries and ensure your pouch is actually waterproof. Become familiar with your Gamin and know how to locate your current position, so that you can communicate should you need assistance! This crossing predated the advent of SafeTrx. The NSRI have
commended us on for the safety protocol taken and buddy pairing. Paddling in pairs is recommended but triplets are best avoided as speed variances with visual contact and communication becomes very difficult in large conditions. A shared oversight between us and NSRI was that our appointed land communication officer and contact number was not identified to NSRI, hence they could not verify number of paddlers in distress nor liaise required support needed. Cell phone reception is patchy across the bay, always pre-dial contact numbers before hand, as audio and handling is difficult with waterproof bag and heavy conditions.VHS radios are possibly an alternate option along with EPIRBS. Without any sunshine the cold is a factor. Wearing winter kit is strongly advised, leggings, 2nd long sleeve halley or wetsuit vest, PFD etc. Closed hats or beanies make a considerable difference to retaining heat and reducing wind chill. Contrasting bright colour schemes
and reflective tape or decals on your craft all help with low visibility spotting. Singles found the runs easier to surf, despite the security of extra paddle power doubles are less nibble as the backseat can become bogged down in the excessive chop, making it technical harder, wetter and colder. Make sure you can remount in the worst conditions! Despite the Indian Ocean’s warmer current and the Agulhas Current that flows down the east coast, the Cape Peninsular experiences upwelling from the north flowing cold Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean. With prolonged SE winds the upwelling can drop temperatures as low as 10*C . Sometime to consider, Sea temp +- 14* C, Air temp 18- 22*C, with 40 knots the “wet bulb” wind chill estimated at 8-12*C. With warmer kit and favourable conditions, would I do it again? Absolutely!
20/20 VISION Some have ridiculed us for The Crossing, others have applauded our
endeavors in extreme conditions. Not all understood the fundraiser plight and condemned the expense of the rescue as a waste of resources for the sake of some paddling folly. We pushed a boundary and explored the fine line of possibilities. Critics will always oppose what remains unknown whilst others are prepared to step beyond the fear of failure in fulfilling a quest. With grateful acknowledgement to all the sponsors, loved ones, our seconds and support crew we raised +R 25 000 for the SSLSC. Special thanks for the NSRI and helicopter crews for their effort in returning Nico & Rudi safely. The SDJ’s are indebted to the NSRI endeavors and pledge doing a similar fundraiser for their coffers. The Garmin track shows a small blimp just past the midway mark in crossing onto the shallower epicenter of the bay.
top speed was reached and the following wave pole drove us into the depths. “I don’t think that I have ever been so scared, so cold and so exhilarated in all my life!” Jamii Hamlin
SPEED SPIKES There are always a few naysayers who dispute the claim of the 58kmh speed we reached as being impossible, by dismissing the speeds spike as the Garmin malfunctioning, yet the below windows show the Manhattan skyline of speed spikes with a 39.5 & 44 kmh speeds preceding the 58.5 kmh with several spikes above 30kmh and numerous above 25kmh that recorded a total distance of over 500m traveled above 25kmh.
JAMII HAMLIN
Here the confusion of the sea intensified to extreme proportions and resulted in us having a heavy swim after a massive 58kmh
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RACE RELATED
West Coast Canoe Challenge This race is billed as the best supported canoe race in the Western Cape and in 2019 it had over 300 entrants. A vast improvement on the 18 or so that usually clog up the start on a cold winter’s morning. The 2020 did not disappoint. We arrived an hour early and already the grassed area in and around the Riviera Hotel was packed with plastic kayaks, surf skis and K1s in a wonderful array of colours and contrasts. From the racing snakes in their lycra shorts going through their warm up drills to the weekend paddler hoping to find the turn buoy and the family paddler who it trying desperately to keep their kids energised and enthusiastic long enough to get on the water for the start. They were all there. The start of the 20km race is quite stringent affair as the paddlers in the front are racing for the title and the much needed points on offer for the Presidents Cup. So by 5 to 10 all the boats were in a neat row
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and pointing upstream ready to take on their fellow competitors and the outgoing tide that would make it hard work to the 10km turn buoy. They shot off the line at the starters command and put in a wonderful display of paddling vigour sent plums of water high in to the air. The 10km race on the other hand was a mixture of controlled politeness by those hoping to post good times for the distance and organised chaos right behind them. The fun part is that for most of the paddlers this is their once a year social paddle so they have very little idea how to control their kayak in the breeze, the tide and in close proximity to each other. The end result was a lot of good natured jostling and teasing as paddlers tried in vain to turn the nose of their craft towards the start. When the call to start finally came, the front row got going fairly rapidly leaving the rest to sort themselves out and begin their jovial journey up the river.
At the serious end of the race it came down to the Hart brothers for the win. It was a tussle between previous winner and stalwart of U23 Anders Hart against his younger brother Uli Hart who won the race last year. He has also only this year made the jump from U18 to U23. We have it on good authority that it was a dead heat with the two brothers crossing the finish line literally hold on to each other canoes. The results reflect that Anders took the win by 0.01 from Uli followed closely by Bartho Visser making it a 1,2, 3 U23 race. In the women’s race it was again a battle between last year’s winner Bianca Beavitt and Melanie Van Niekerk. It was neck and neck racing between these two champions of women’s racing, sparing partners and on the odd occasion team mates. This year the win went to Melanie Van Niekerk followed by Bianca Beavitt only 0.09sec later. Third Amy Duffett an U16 rising star coming out of Stanford.
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RACE RELATED
FREEDOM Paddle
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THE FREEDOM PADDLE: “A SURFSKI RACE BY PADDLERS FOR PADDLERS” Celebrate the freedom of surfski paddling by taking on the challenge of racing around South Africa’s symbol of freedom, Robben Island, on Freedom Day 27th April. Freedom Day celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994. Robben Island is in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa and takes its name from the Dutch word for seals, hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robben Eiland which translates to Seal Island. Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km long north-south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.08 km2. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and recently was declared a Marine Protected Area. Political activist Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before the fall of apartheid. He was later awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace and was elected in 1994 as President of South Africa, serving one term. “It was not easy for Nelson Mandela on the Island – don’t expect it to be easy to paddle around the Island”
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WHAT CONDITION ARE TO BE EXPECTED? The Freedom Paddle entails quite a few navigational challenges. There are two open water crossings of 10km each, as you cross from the mainland to the Island and back again. Paddling the correct line can save you hundreds of meters. There is a real risk of fog midrace, in which case knowing how to navigate using your GPS enabled watch or cell phone is critical for your personal safety. Should fog envelope the race course it is not possible for the safety boats to fetch each and every paddler.You need to know how to navigate in the fog. The Freedom Paddle web site has the GPS coordinates for paddlers to use to create a route for their navigation devices as well as the GPX and KLM files to download. Paddlers are encouraged to learn how their watches/devices work. The other challenge is from a frontal system which could bring in gale force NW winds and big seas. Being an out and back
route so there is a possibility of assistance from the ocean and winds for one of the legs but being Cape Town, which often has four seasons in once day, nothing is guaranteed so expect all conditions. WHAT CRAFT CAN TAKE PART? The race organisers wanted an event that is challenging but not out of reach of the average paddler. With the main focus on the double Surfski’s (S2) it makes the event a reachable goal for most paddlers. S2’s offer a shared work load, improved stability and safety in numbers. For those who could not secure a spot in a double or prefer singles (S1) they too are welcome. In 2019 we had for the first time triple Surfski (S3) class. It looks as if the S3’s will double their numbers for the 2020 race as the popularity of these craft spreads. Surfski’s are not the only craft that take part in the annual event. In 2019 two prone paddlers took on the challenge and completed the route around
the island in around 3hrs 46min. It seems as if the bug has bitten the prone class as they plan to have a bunch of new talent on the start line this year. There is even talk of international prone paddlers for 2021. Not to be left out are the Stand Up Paddlers (SUP) who take part in an inshore route with both competitive and recreations SUP’s enjoying the festivities. HOW TO ENTER? The entry system is unique as in when entering the Freedom Paddle you are only required to enter yourself and not as a double combo. Closer to the race date the organisers open up the “select you partner” page. It allows you to select your best combo closer to the date. So don’t be that person who does little or no training and puts the pressure on his partner’s fitness on race day.You may just find yourself relegated to a single ski as your partner chooses someone fitter and faster. The race fees are on a moving scale. There was short window, early bird period, rewarding last year’s
paddler’s @R490. Then the standard entry fee was till the end of January 2020 @R690. From 1st February till 31st March @R890. All these include the race goodie bag. From 1st April to 12 April the penalty entry fee @R1500 and the final “ARE YOU MAD” FEE @R3000 without a goodie bag. The FP does allow you to sell your entry to another paddlers for a small admin fee. It just makes sense to enter early. As at publishing the entries had topped two hundred mark. The Freedom Paddle also took the initiative to develop the Dunlop Freedom Paddle Double Series which takes place once a month from January. The series is designed to move around the peninsula making the most of the forecast conditions with events in the Strand, Fishhoek, Hout Bay and Milnerton. The unique point scoring system allows you to change doubles partners without being prejudiced as long as you keep within the same age category. The Freedom Paddle on the 27th April is compulsory for inclusion into the overall series results. The series is a great place
to test and train with your doubles partner. WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? Both paddlers shall have the following safety gear as stipulated by CSA surfski committee: Leash from boat to paddler. Brightly coloured, certified PFD. A whistle Bright cap recommended. NSRI SafeTRX app running on continuous mode. Enough hydration A navigation aid in case of fog – Google maps on cell phone or navigation on sports watch 30% of the boat shall be of a bright colour Paddle blades to have bright tips or similar Weed deflector is advisable Warm paddling kit recommended – water temperature 9-14deg Celsius.
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THE FP ROUTE
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Typically the route will be anti-clockwise around the Island. From the start line you should be able to see the island and head straight for the right corner.
CLICK the waypoints on the opposite page to be taken through to You Tube for a little look at the waypoints.
THE OLD JETTY
MADIBAS LEFTS
The old Jetty is 10km from the start. Watch out for the very thick kelp. If the surf is wrapping around the south of the island, there could be waves here to ride. Watch out for shallow rocks if close inshore.
Watch out for large waves along the entire wild side of the island. There are deep reefs that could break outside your line on big swell day. Keep watching for any sets coming from the deep.
HARBOUR ENTRANCE
THE SLAB
This is the 12 km - watch out for kelp and harbour traffic. The closer to the wall the thicker the kelp.
Waves explode on this shallow reef with violence. It’s a very dangerous break but very easy to spot. Stay well out to sea of it to be safe. A swim here will be disastrous.
NORTHERN TIP This is the northern most tip. From here you start your trip home.You will also start seeing the numerous wreck’s on the island. This is also where you need to look sharp as the surf comes into play for the first time. The side can be ugly.You do not want to join the wrecks so don’t get cought inside the breakers!
After the Slab you line up with Devils Peak on the left of Table Mountain. As you get closer and can make out the building in Cape Town look for the dark glass FNB building to the left of the Stadium. It’s now the final dash to the finish line. RICHARD KOHLER
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TECHINQUE
OPINION
SCOUTING & PORTAGING
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THE ART OF SCOUTING Scouting rapids is one of the most important consideration when paddling rivers. There are essentially two ways to scout a rapid: from the bank, or from an eddy. And then there is the odd occassion where you may have the aid of a helicopter ride or a drone to check out a rapid. Most of the time, it’s just you, your mates and the river. Scouting from the bank is sometimes needed, but not always. It all depends on a number of different factors, such as:
YOUR SKILL LEVEL The more experienced you get, the easier it becomes to identify the rapids that may need scouting from the bank.
YOUR PRE-EXISTING KNOWLEDGE OF THE RIVER You may have paddled the section before, or have very good information from someone who knows it well, or you are doing a race with well-described rapids.
THE TYPE OF BOAT YOU ARE IN A long, narrow, tippy racing kayak cannot handle the same grade of rapid as a short whitewater kayak that is designed to turn on a dime.
YOUR FAITH IN OTHER PEOPLE You could be paddling with someone who has the experience to make the call to go for it, or, in the case of a race, there may be a marshal on the bank indicating that the rapid is fine to run, and they may even point out the best route to you.
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LEVEL OF THE RIVER If the water is at a much higher level than what is considered average, new features can develop that wouldn’t exist at normal levels. If the water is much lower than normal, nasty syphons and undercuts that are normally deeply covered by water could be exposed.
jump out and have a look.You may also notice some serious gradient ahead by the way that the whole gorge/valley drops out, or you could notice a tree lying across or inside the rapid. In any of these cases, if you are uncertain, get out and have a look. As you gain experience, your gut feel will get fine-tuned.
Generally, when you approach a rapid and you can see a clear horison line, often with some spray visible too, there is a good chance that you will need to scout it from the bank. If you approach a rapid and get pretty close to the point of no return and you still can’t see the bottom of the rapid, best is to
A word of caution when scouting from the bank: Always try to get as close to the rapid as possible and stand at the same level as the rapid. When you scout a rapid from afar or from high up, your perception is distorted. The clear line you might be seeing from above often looks completely differently when you
get on the water. Seemingly small features look much bigger from up close, and seemingly small drops tend to be much higher when you get to the lip. When scouting from the bank is not absolutely necessary, it is much more efficient to scout by eddyhopping. In essence, this means that you paddle from eddy to eddy, making your way down as you survey the next section of the rapid to the following eddy. This technique is not possible with long racing kayaks, but with most other riverrunning craft, eddy-hopping is the preferred way to run rapids.
WHEN YOU’RE IN A GROUP, EDDY-HOPPING CAN BE DONE IN DIFFERENT WAYS
1
The same paddler can lead all the way, often leaving an eddy to make space for the next paddler to occupy their vacated space in the eddy. This is mostly done when only one paddler in the group is confident enough to take the lead. We like to call this person ‘the probe’, which is both an honour and a curse.
2
When more than one paddler in a group has the confidence to lead, we resort to leapfrogging, which is more fun and also more time efficient. Let’s say that you catch an eddy and can see a clear line to the next eddy.You would signal to your mate upstream, who will paddle past you and catch the following eddy. He will scout the next section, identify the next eddy to catch, and then signal for you to pass him to catch the next eddy. This leapfrogging technique can be used by all members in a group to work their way down a rapid if the group is not too big.
3
With a larger group, you will often have a core group that will eddy-hop their way down a rapid and then signal from the bottom to the rest of the group waiting at the top that all is clear and that they can just paddle down the rapid without catching eddies.
4
With a large group and more difficult rapids that may require some boat-rescues along the way, the most capable paddlers with good rescue skills will work their way down by eddy-hopping as above. But, instead of everyone paddling to the bottom of the rapid, some paddlers will stay in eddies where some help may be needed. Once they’re all in position, they will signal to the group waiting above to paddle down the rapid. The paddlers waiting in eddies will give signals to show the lines, and they are on hand to help with a rescue if someone swims.without catching eddies.
When a rapid is difficult or dangerous enough that it requires proper safety being set up from the bank, the potential rescue spots should be discussed by the group while scouting from the bank. Often, with more dangerous rapids, only one or two of the group may be up for the challenge of paddling
the rapid. In that case, everyone else will set up safety, and the few challengers will only start running the rapid once they receive a clear OK signal. When all the paddlers in the group want to run a rapid where safety is required, paddlers should take
turns to do safety. In this scenario, it is important that everyone is very clear about whether they will run the rapid or not, because once the process is in motion, it causes a lot of frustration and sometimes consternation if a paddler suddenly changes their mind about running it or not. THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 59
SCOUTING FOR RACING If you do a race on a river that is unfamiliar to you, say the Fish, the Dusi or Umko, you will have a LOT of second-hand information on what to expect. Some rapids that really are not that difficult have huge reputations attached to them. This could be because the rapid has spectator access, or because someone once had a really bad swim there. Often, it is just because paddlers like to boast about the big rapids that they have conquered. The opposite is also often true. There exist no-name rapids that receive no mentions yet they have sneaky surprises that catch many paddlers unaware. These rapids are normally found far from spectators, and are also often in between more well-known rapids. One tends to focus on the big-name rapids and lose concentration when you hit the supposed-to-be-easy ones. The best thing you can do, if you have the time, is to trip the river
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beforehand to get familiar with the obstacles. Take your time, scout from the bank when necessary, and maybe try different lines through rapids to pick the fastest line. A good strategy is also to figure out Plan Bs for the rapids where paddlers are likely to get stuck or to be swimming. There is no point in having the perfect line figured out, if you get to the rapid to find that someone else is stuck right in the middle of where you intended to go and you have no other option prepared. This brings me to another important point: Do not be sheep, blindly following other paddlers or directions from marshals.You have no idea of the river-reading capabilities of the paddler in front of you, and you might just follow them straight into a disaster. Regarding marshals, some are paddlers and some are not. Chances are good that a marshal is just pointing you to the line taken by the first paddler that came through. So, if you enter an unfamiliar rapid, don’t just blindly follow. Scout your
own line as you make your way down.You may still end up following the paddler in front of you, but at least it will be an informed decision then. A last note on scouting while racing: If you get to a rapid and another paddler is pinned or swimming where you most likely would have gone if said paddler wasn’t messing with your plans, don’t panic! If you notice the obstruction before you enter the rapid and another clear line is not immediately visible, rather stop and back-paddle to give yourself more time to scout. If you can see another doable line, go for it. If there is really no other way, you should either wait for the way to be cleared, or, if you don’t want to wait that long, get out and run around. The last thing you should be doing if someone is in trouble is to plough straight into the rapid on top of them. It goes without saying that if the paddler that is obstructing the way is in real danger, the race is off for you and it is your obligation to get out to help. Don’t be an ass, you are not going to win anyway.
PORTAGING To portage or not to portage is the question that every river paddler faces from time to time. Sometimes the choice is easy; if it is a nasty weir, or a big waterfall landing on rocks, or simply a rapid that is clearly above your skill level, you simply walk it. There is no shame in that. But, when the rapid seems like it could be runnable by someone at your skill level, you have to decide if you are going to push your limits a bit (and scare yourself at the same time), or take the low-risk option to walk. Group dynamics often play a big role in this decision. If you are unsure and a dominant paddler in the group tells you to walk, you’ll walk. More regularly, the opposite happens where a gung-ho group may push you to run everything all the time. While their intention may be to help you to improve, it could also be for the spectator value... River rats find a good beating quite hilarious. There are other potential factors
too. For instance, an approaching storm would add pressure to run everything in order to get to the take-out faster. Or, you may be the only paddler in the group who wants to portage a specific rapid, and this portage could take two hours to walk, you will be pressured to run the rapid to get the group through in two minutes. These are the types of potential issues that are best dealt with even before you get on the water. Are you with a group you trust? Are you getting onto a river that you can handle with your skill set? Is the weather going to play along? OK, let’s say that you have dealt with all the potential issues beforehand, there is no peer pressure, and you are looking at a rapid that you just can’t decide whether you should run it or not. The first thing to do is to look carefully at the line you intend to run. Then, decide whether you have a good chance of sticking the line. Consider the sections where you may miss the line, and decide if you can handle the consequences. Will
you end up on a different line that you can easily run? Or, is there a good chance that you could end up in a really nasty hole, in an undercut, a syphon, or a tree block? In other words, a situation that you really would want to avoid. The bigger the consequence of a missed line, the surer you need to be that you can stick the line. That is what it always boils down to. If you will certainly die if you miss your line, you have to be 100% sure you can stick your line. That is the logical part of the decision-making process. The emotional part needs to be dealt with too. If you have the technical ability to stick the line, but you are just not feeling it, best is to not talk yourself into running it. Leave it for another day, when you’re on top of the world and ready to give anything a go. When you feel that you are in the zone, you have the adrenaline under control and you generally feel a bit ballsy, then give it all you’ve got. CELLIERS KRUGER
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FEATURED
TOKYO CALLING Olympics on the way This is a big year for our sprinters as it is the Tokyo Olympics from the 26 July to the 8 August and everyone will be watching. Although our athletes should be hard at work putting the final touches on their preparation for the Olympics secure in the knowledge that they are going; thanks to the meddling of SASCOC this is not the case and instead they need to still qualify at the second Sprint World Cup in Duisburg, Germany on the
21 – 24 May 2020. So in true, never say die attitude our sprinters have been hard at work in preparation for the World Cup. They have had the opportunity to train with the visiting English team and in so doing work out right next to some of the worlds’ best sprinters. Not that the Team SA athletes should feel intimidated, every time Esti van Tonder does a chin up she can be secure in the knowledge that she actually posted the third fastest
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time over 500m at last year’s World Championships and if she can keep her form up she is certainly right up there with the very best. Chrisjan Coetzee managed to post the third fastest time at the ICF World Cup in Poznan last year. In grabbing the bronze medal in the K1 500m he became the first the South African male sprinter to bag a medal in over a decade. Bridgitte Hartley and Donna Hutton on their first time out did incredibly well to come 4th in the K2 200m semi-final only
missing out on a berth in the final by 0.3sec. So we will be anxiously watching them as they take on the world in May. For the Tokyo Olympics the IOC has narrowed it down to 5 races for the men and 5 for the women in order to accommodate other disciplines at the Olympics. The men will race over:
THULE SURFBOARD PADS
K1 events: 200m and 1000m K2 events: 200m and 1000m K4 event: 500m. The women’s will race over the following distances: K1 events: 200m and 500m K2 events: 200m and 500m K4 event: 500m These are very exciting times as our athletes prepare for one of the most important regattas of their lives we would like to wish them all the very best.
Quick stats: Top length: 75cm
Thickness: 4cm
We have just taken possession of the new Surfboard Pads from Thule and like everything else that comes out of the Thule factory they are thoughtfully and stylishly made. The low down on them is that at 75cm long, they are wide enough to take our widest kayak (86cm wide) and still fit the DockGrips on the right hand side of the roof racks which is really neat. The Surfboard Pads are also 4cm thick making them the thickest pads that we can get our hands on in South Africa. Most of the current designs are made up of about 0.5 – 1cm thick foam so these are 4 times thicker and so offer you beloved craft that much more protection while loading and off-loading. We have only really had the chance to test them on during the road trip to and from the West Coast Canoe Challenge so it is a bit soon to tell in terms of how long they keep their shape and the general wear and tear. So we will give you more of a long term review in the April / May edition.
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SUP
TECHINQUE
PADDLE technique There are a few basic philosophies on paddle technique, but all revolve around using your paddle as a lever. Your top hand will be driving the lever and the bottom hand will act as the pivot point.
PADDLING FORWARD Keep your bottom arm straight and relatively still. Pull your top arm toward your body to extend the paddle forward. Rotate your top shoulder forward and extend your reach. Insert the paddle into the water as far forward as possible and bury the paddle into the water. Rather than pulling you paddle through the water, think about pulling past your paddle. To stay in a straight line, take a few strokes on one side then switch to a few strokes on the other. SUP BEGINNER TIP: Always remember to switch the position of your hands when your paddle changes 64 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
sides to efficiently paddle your SUP.
TURNING WITH THE FORWARD SWEEP STROKE To turn left, place the paddle in the water on the right side. At the same time, turn your torso to the left side. Keep a low stance and pull to the right, towards the tail with the paddle, while twisting and leaning to the left with your torso.You’ll feel the board shift to the left quickly.
TURNING WITH THE REVERSE SWEEP STROKE To turn right, place the paddle near the tail and pull toward the nose while shifting your torso to the right — this will spin your board’s nose to the right hand side — the more you bend your knees, the easier it will be to turn the board.
ISLESURFANDSUP.COM
PADDLE BOARDING TIPS DO: Always hold the paddle with one hand on the top of the handle and the other on the shaft. DON’T: hold the paddle like a broomstick, with both hands on the shaft. DO: Keep your feet parallel, spread shoulder width apart, and your toes pointed toward the nose. DON’T: Get in a surf stance – everyone wants to, but that makes paddling on the flat water ten times harder. Plus, you will fall. Save your surf stance for the surf. DO: Make sure your grip on the paddle is shoulder width apart — short grips will give you a powerless stroke. DON’T: Only use your arms – you’ll get tired faster and not paddle efficiently. Let your big back muscles do the brunt of the work. DO: Dip the blade fully into the water and take a long stroke, letting your large back muscles do the work.
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TECHINQUE
CALLING FOR RESCUE IMAGE Tessa Brunette 66 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
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TECHINQUE WHEN GETTING INTO TROUBLE OFFSHORE, THERE COMES A POINT WHEN YOU HAVE TO CALL FOR RESCUE. This can be a critical moment, based on how you are coping. The instant that you expect your situation to worsen, initiate a call for help. It could be the result of rudder failure, a broken blade or after a third remount and knowing that you are likely to go over again. While having to take some risks offshore, there is no need to attempt being a survival hero. Be decisive in making the call, not putting it off.
MAKE YOUR DISTRESS KNOWN Within a group, indicate your distress to approaching paddlers, calling them over using a hand signal or by blowing your whistle. Hoping to get heard by shouting above the noise of the wind and sea is futile. Once a rescuer has provided immediate assistance, perhaps ask him or her to stay with you until you are sufficiently comfortable or alternately, escort you all the way to shore. Accept the help when a rescuer calls for additional support; don’t automatically turn the offer down.
DETERMINE YOUR OPTIONS When some way from shore, every meter in distance that you cover reduces your exposure to potential danger. Weigh up the options of 68 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
heading for an alternate exit point and getting your paddling mates to collect you. Capsizing should not be an issue, unless you cannot remount.Your craft could be damaged or you might be too fatigued to get up again. Whatever the reason, wait alongside for rescue. Get to the windward side of the craft to prevent it from being continually washed onto you. During this time, let the wind and water carry you where it will. It is crucial not to struggle against the elements, because you will soon be exhausted, compromising the opportunity window and complicating a rescue.
FIRING FLARES The accepted principle in communicating distress is to fire a rocket flare to alert onlookers, then pencil flares or a smoke flare to indicate your position, once you know that assistance is on the way. Having fired a flare, stay where you are so that rescuers can locate you on the water. Use your flares, but sparingly, when you consider that they might be seen.You cannot afford to panic, firing all your flares within a few minutes of each other in a pseudo pyrotechnic display.
ASSESSING A RESCUE Back on shore, seek assistance if necessary. Don’t stop your paddling mates from taking care of you if you are exhausted, seasick or hypothermic. You might have made an error in
judgement or were caught out by changing conditions. Perhaps you were just lax and this is a wake up call. Replay the sequence of events to determine if you could have done anything more effectively. Store this for future reference and make the necessary changes to your procedures.
TELLING THE TALE Any self-rescue is guaranteed to become an intriguing story to tell about what you did, but it is best to avoid any drama. Don’t brag about how tough it was and how you overcame the odds. Don’t expect accolades if you put yourself at risk by venturing out in conditions in which no one should be on the water. Learn from your mistakes. Have the procedures in place and the competency to handle each situation with as little fuss as possible, also passing this hard earned experience on to other paddlers. KEVIN BRUNETTE
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FEATURED
SAFETRX Over the Christmas break I had the opportunity to paddle off a number of different beaches and with paddlers of different levels of competency in and around Cape Town.
I was involved in four incidents over this period where paddlers needed to be helped very quickly. The common denominator for three of them was that when the paddlers set out it was calm and beautiful and within minutes a strong wind came up and they were unable to get back on their kayak / ski or home. The
HOW TO GUIDE
fourth guy forgot to put the plug/ bung in the back of his ski. None of them were running Safetrx so I thought that I would run through it for everyone. The first thing to do is down load it from the Google play store – just like you do for every other app on your phone. Buy yourself a good quality dry bag. We recommend the Mocke Cellphone Dry Bag XL as I have had mine for three and a half years and it has not leaked yet PLUS I can
make calls and operate my phone while it is in the dry bag. It is big enough for your phone and car keys if needed. Take five minutes to set it up properly under the My Profile. Make sure that your telephone and that of your In Case of Emergency person is correct. Lastly fill in the craft details – it makes a huge difference to rescuers when they know what they are looking for. Once you have done the admin the app is good to go.
HOW in a few easy steps SAIL PLAN MODE – Use this only if you are absolutely certain of how long the paddle will take AND that you will remember to switch it off before the ETA that you set otherwise apparently it will set off the alarm.
– this is highly recommended as the app will track you for as long as you are paddling or until you remember to switch it off.This is important as there are places where the cell phone reception has not allowed us to switch the app off as we came off the water.
GROUP EVENTS
1
Once you have clicked TRACK ONLY the screen that opens has three very useful options. The first one at the top allows you get a Group Event Code, this is great if you are paddling with mates and get separated then at least the first ones to the beach can keep an eye on the others as they come in. There is nothing worse than looking in to a howling wind and wondering where you mate is. This allows you to track your mates’ progress on Google Maps. It can be shared with up to six people through Whatsapp.
2 3
The second is you can Set Tracking Interval. Again the common setting is 10 minutes but I do sometimes use the five minute option as I have discovered that it uses very little data or power to run. Thirdly you get to choose to either Start or Call for help. Should you have an urge to press the Call for Help button even before you have got on the water, perhaps today is not your day. Make sure you press the START button.
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STEP 1a click group event code
STEP 1b click generate group code
PADDLING ON YOUR OWN After you have hit the TRACK ONLY MODE: STEP 1 click to set your tracking interval
STEP 2 START
STEP 1c click share which will take you to the first screen where you can enter the code... which of course the rest of your group will also do.
STEP 2 click to set your tracking interval
STEP 3 START
Whether you are paddling on your own, or as part of a group event you will now see the next screen which has a share button on the bottom right of the screen. This allows you to share your trip with any of your Whatsapp contacts. I use this extensively and it works very well – even in areas where I am unable to make a call due to the cell phone reception my ground crew are still able to track me. Now you are all done except to push the BACK key on your phone and then turn it off when you get to your main screen. Do not push the Clear all button because on my phone it stops the app running. Lastly thing is to pop your phone in to a dry bag and in to your PFD. I carry mine in the back pocket of my PFD so that I cannot accidently bump it and press for help. When everyone is back on shore please remember to switch the app off. As you do so it will show you a track of your route.
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FEATURED
HELP UP
A FRESH APPROACH TO THE WASTE CRISIS IN CAPE TOWN’S URBAN RIVERS Have you ever driven along the M5 Southbound on a Sunday morning and glanced across the landscape surrounding the Black River, perhaps 74 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
to see if the flamingos are there? You may have spotted a group of people cleaning the river. Kitted out in white shirts with waders and floppy hats, the smiling Help Up crew meets each Sunday to clear plastic, sewerage and other waste from the Black River Raapenberg site in Mowbray, Cape Town. The Help Up team is comprised of Avatars, homeless and unemployed people, who are paid to volunteer
at Help Up clean-ups. We also have a great group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to make positive changes to the health of our rivers and the ocean beyond. Help Up has been operating since July 2018 and has recently registered as NPC (non profit company). This will enable us to scale up our mission to improve the quality of life of urban rivers, the remaining wildlife in river
biomes and as a result of this, the communities who live alongside its’ banks. Since January 2018, Help Up has collected over 75 metric tons of waste over 83 cleanup projects and created economic opportunities for over 330 people. We have been cleaning at the Black River Raapenberg every weekend for the past 49 weeks and 13 weeks
ago Help Up initiated a new project called ‘Franchises Are Free. Georgia McTaggart, the founder of Help Up, describes Franchises Are Free as the most effective way to shift attitudes to waste in informal settlements by providing economic empowerment through short term app-based cleanup contracts. The current Langa Canal and Tap Cleanup pilot project, which kicked off 13 weeks ago, has proved to
be an overwhelming success and Help Up looks forward to scaling these Franchises up in 2020 to include more areas of Langa, as well as opening up economic opportunities to residents of Khayelitsha and Guglethu. In 13 weeks our Franchises Are Free partners in Langa have collected over 18 tons of plastic waste by hand. This waste is then collected by the City of Cape Town’s Solid THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 75
Waste Management team by special arrangement. The challenges we face as a crew of cleaners downstream vary but most of what we collect is household waste from the informal settlements upstream. These densely populated settlements do not have adequate access to litter skips and municipal services and the burden on local government coffers to find and maintain solutions is enormous. In order to keep rats, cockroaches and disease at bay, the residents throw their rubbish and ‘nightsoil’ (human sewerage collected in buckets overnight due to the danger of going to a public amenity in the dark) next to the river to get the waste as far away from their dwellings as possible. Grey water waste such as soap powder from the washing of clothes is also disposed of alongside the canal where it seeps into the water, contaminating the river biome with phosphates which alter the Ph balance of the water, creating ideal conditions for the overgrowth of the alien invasive hyacinth water weed. Help Up’s plan to scale up community cleaning in Informal Settlements has been met with mixed opinions by local government
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and some members of the Cape Town community. Their concern being that if we create a pay for waste system, there will be more waste dumped in order to create more jobs. There will always be waste due to the consumer not really caring about how much waste they create because they have to eat, drink and wash their clothes and the products purchased are packaged in plastic which has no value to the consumer. Our model offers a solution to waste that has been piling up for months on end without any system of removal in place and we know that our solution solves the issues of the removal of this older waste, as well as the challenge of fresh waste collection, before it reaches the river. The key to stem the tide of waste being dumped into rivers is to have a cohesive system of collection and an organised system of payment for work achieved by our partners. By using our app, our ‘Franchises Are Free’ partners are able to upload live photographs of before, during and after their cleanups, provide valuable collection data via the app and they are then paid via ewallet after the waste is collected by the CoCT. All Help Up ‘Franchises Are Free’ partners are required to spend six weeks cleaning at the Black River in
Raapenberg in order to feel part of the team and to drive home the importance of waste management in their own communities. Help Up provides hygiene standards and standard operating procedure training over the six week period. Help Up provides the resources for the Franchises Are Free cleanups in the form of plastic bags for waste collection, gloves, tshirts, rakes and spades. Help Up pays the Franchisees and their workers after each cleanup project has been uploaded to the Help Up portal and is approved for payment by the QC team. Another great first from Help Up in 2020 will be the inclusion in our Help Up App for scholars, who are required to perform 16 hours of community work as part of the Education Curriculum. Using the Help Up App, kids can now create their own cleanups in their neighbourhoods and receive a certificate of completion from Help Up. The app will be open to community groups, other clean up groups and anybody walking along the beach who wants to be part of the clean up community of Cape Town. Even paddlers can log in and record any waste that they collected. GEORGIA MCTAGGART
Help Up is funded through the caring community of Cape Town through our crowdfunding campaign: WWW.BACKABUDDY.CO.ZA/RIVER-CLEANUP We drive our message for a cleaner Cape Town through social media and ‘word of mouse’. Facebook and Instagram : @HELPUPTODAY GEORGIA@HELPUPTODAY.CO.ZA THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 77
TECHINQUE
CANOE POLO 101 Introduicing Juniors to canoe polo is incredibily exciting. It lends itself to fun exercises to improve or introduce skills needed in the game.
T-TAG IS A
GAME FROM IVETTE BOOGAARD THAT WE ARE SURE WILL BE ENJOYED BY THE YOUNG CROWD AS WELL AS THE ADULTS IN YOUR SQUAD! NUMBER OF PADDLERS An even number of paddlers
vimeo.com/86433978 78 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
MATERIALS Helmets and balls (Depending on level of paddlers) DESCRIPTION In this tag game one paddler will try to touch the upper arm of the second paddler. Start with pairing up paddlers that have approximately the same level. The two paddlers that have been paired up take position and form a T, with the front of the boat of one paddler placed against the cockpit of the boat of the other paddler (picture 1.). When both paddlers are ready, paddler A will start and try to touch the upper arm of paddler B. When paddler B is tagged, the game stops and the paddlers switch
roles. Paddler B now becomes the chaser and the tag game starts again. Of course, it is also possible that paddler B is faster and more agile than paddler A and paddler A is not able to tag paddler B. In that case, stop the exercise after a minute or two and switch roles as well. After a few rounds the paddlers can pair up with someone else to add variation to the exercise. GOALS The paddlers will learn how to prevent being tagged which translates into how you can prevent being pushed when you are in possession of the ball in the real canoe polo game. In addition, the
paddlers agility, turning and boat control will be increased as well. VARIATIONS The variations for this exercise can be found in the steps that can be taken to make the exercise increasingly more difficult. It is probably wise to switch to the next level of the exercise when the paddlers are comfortable with the current level. 1. Paddler A should touch the upper arm of paddler B 2. Paddler A should push paddler B on the upper arm 3. With ball: Paddler B is in
possession of the ball and paddler tries to take the ball from him (without pushing) 4. With ball: Paddler B is in possession of the ball and paddler tries to take the ball from him (with pushing!) When you want to make the paddlers extra tired all these variations can be done without paddles as well. NOTE The exercise works best when the two paddlers try to keep together around the same spot. When paddler A chases paddler B all over the pitch, the exercise will
lose a lot of value. When you are using the variation where paddler B is in possession of the ball please keep the five second rule in mind. It will increase the difficulty enormously but it will mimic the actual game the best. AKAYAKLIFE.COM FROM IVETTE BOOGAARD
vimeo.com/86433978
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Let’s Paddle
Events , events & more events
IMAGE Megan Blackbeard
“Paddlers enjoying a beautiful summer evening at Shongweni Dam at their weekly Wednesday training.” 80 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
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EASTERN CAPE DATE MARCH SAT 7 - SUN 8 APRIL SAT 11 SUN 12 SUN 12 SAT 18 SUN 19 MAY SAT 9 SUN 17 SAT 30 SUN 31 JUNE SAT 13 SUN 28 JULY SAT 11 SUN 12 SUN 19 SUN 19 SUN 26
RACE SA Canoe Polo Championships
DETAILS
CONTACT
Knysna
Brak Challenge Cliperty Challenge Pam Golding King of the Kromme Plettenburg Buco Race Goukamma Race Chalumna Challenge ECCU Marathon Champs
Border Winter Series Harbour to Heads Knysna Canoe Polo Festival Border Winter Series Pam Golding Winter Challenge Border Winter Series
St Francis Paddling Club
GAUTENG DATE FEBRUARY SAT 1 SUN 2 SAT 8 TUE 11 SAT 15 SAT 15 MARCH SAT 14 SAT 21 SUN 22 SAT 28 SUN 29 APRIL SUN 19 MAY SAT 9 SUN 10
RACE LCC Elands Memorial 3338 School Sprints Race 1 LCC Elands Memorial 3338 VLC Nite Race GCU Sprints High Altitude Ski Race
DETAILS Elands River VLC Victoria Lake, Germiston Dabulamanzi Canoe Club
High Altitude Ski Race SA Canoe Polo Champs K1 and K2 Marathon
Florida and Schools League Race BASF Watuni Klip Novice Race ERK Marathons
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JCC
CONTACT LOW
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DATE FRI 15 SUN 17 SUN 24 SAT 30 SUN 31
RACE
DETAILS
CONTACT
DETAILS
CONTACT
Árnold Classic Canoe Polo VLC Flat and Schools Race GCU Marathon Champs
K W A - Z U L U N ATA L DATE FEBRUARY SAT 1 - SUN 2 SAT 8 SUN 9 SAT 15 SUN 16 THU 27 SAT 29 MARCH SUN 8 FRI 13 SAT 14 SAT 14 SUN 15 SUN 15 SAT 28SUN 129
APRIL WED 1 SUN 5 SAT 18
RACE N3TC Challenge Capitol Caterers Bushman’s Delight Inanda Dam to Durban OR Mooi River Race Dash and Crach Races Campbells to Dusi Bridge Dusi Canoe Marathon
Wagendruft to Lambert Park, Escourt, 12km
Bushmans 2 in 1 Race Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Polo KZN series T1 KZN Sprint Champs
Wagendrift to Lambert Park
Nyala Pans to St Elmos Umkomaas Marathon
SA Schools and SA Champs
Camps Drift to Blue Lagoon, 120km
DAY 1: Josephines Bridge to Riverside stores, 35km DAY 2: Hella Hella to Josephines Bridge, 32km Shongweni Dam
Canoe Polo KZN series T2
FRI 24 -TUE 28 Wave Ski SA Open and Closed Champs MAY SUN 3 Winter Surfski Series 1
Marines
FRI 8 - SUN 10 Bridgitte Hartley Marathon Event SAT 9 Canoe Polo KZN series T3
Camps Drift
SUN 10
Winter Surfski Series 2
King of the Bay Big 3-1
SAT 16 SUN 17 SUN 17
KZN Marathon Champs Winter Surfski Series 3
Marines
SAT 23
Winter Surfski Series 4
Pirates-Umhlanga-Pirates
JUNE SAT 20 or SUN 21
Scottburgh to Brighton
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info@dusi.co.za
secretary@kingfishercc.co.za
DATE
RACE
JULY SUN 5
Point Water Sport Ski Race 1
SUN 12
Point Water Sport Ski Race 2
SAT 18 SUN 19
Share-List Property Season Opener Point Water Sport Ski Race 3
SUN 26
Point Water Sport Ski Race 4
DETAILS
CONTACT
DETAILS
CONTACT
WESTERN CAPE DATE FEBRUARY SAT 1 SAT 8 SAT 15 SAT 22 SUN 23 SAT 29 SUN 30 MARCH SAT 14 SAT 21 APRIL SAT 4 SUN 5 SUN 26 MON 27 MAY SAT 2 SAT 9 WED 13 SAT 16 SUN 17 SAT 23 SUN 24 SAT 30 JUNE SAT 6 SAT 13 SAT 13 MON 15 SAT 20 JULY WED 8 SAT 11
RACE West Coast Challenge Junior Sprints 1 Junior Sprints 2 Junior Sprints 3 Surfski Double Series 2 Stanford Festival
Velddrift, 10 or 20km Tygerberg Peninsula Canoe Club Paarl Milerton
WCCU Sprint Champs Nekkies to Alfies
Peninsula Canoe Club
Paarl Le Bac Novice Race WCCU There and Back Surfski Challenge WCCU Single Ski Champs Freedom Paddle Marina Da Gama K1 Paarl to Lady Loch Novice K1 Race WCCU 10k Champs WCCU Marathon Champs
Peninsula Canoe Club
Milnerton
Paarl - Skootjie K1 Race Surfski Race Gouda to Bridgetown K1 Race Herman to Goude K1 Wellington to Herman SA Marathon K1 & K2 Championships Paarl to Grensplaas
Peninsula Canoe Club
Berg River Canoe Marathon
Paarl to Velddrift, 240km
WCCU K1 River Champs
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DATE TUE 14 SAT 18 SAT 25 SUN 26
RACE
DETAILS
WCCU 10km K2 Wyzersdrift K2 Olifants Marathon
CONTACT
Peninsula Canoe Club
N O RT H E R N C A P E DATE APRIL SAT 4 SAT 11 SAT 11 SUN 12
RACE
DETAILS
CONTACT
Wave Ski Border Trials Wave Ski Border Social Surf Orange River Descent
I N T E R N AT I O N A L DATE FEB 23 MAY 8 - 10 MAY 21 - 24 MAY 21 - 24
RACE
DETAILS
Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach, Sydney Harbour, NSW ICF Spring World Cup 1 ICF Sprint World Cup 2 and Olympic Qualifier ICF Marathon World Cup
13-20 JULY
14 NOVEMBER
13 SEPTEMBER
28 NOVEMBER
31 OCTOBER
12 DECEMBER
Gorge Downwind Champs, Portland, USA
CSAM Irish Coast Paddling Champs, Dublin, Ireland
CSAM West Coast Express, Cape Town, South Africa 86 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA
Steelcase Dragon Run, Hong Kong
The Doctor, Perth, Australia
The Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches, Sydney, Australia
RADAR & EVINRUDE IMAGES Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media So Drak 2020 has come and gone – no matter what the water level, it is a classic weekend of paddling camaraderie. With Drak being a few weeks later in the season, Evinrude and I were in Underberg on what used to be the Drak weekend.
I think we have this inbuilt auto pilot that just dials in directions to NUD IMAGE magnum-mania.com on the middle weekend in January. As it turned out it rained and the Mzimkhulu was humping, and we had a total ball. It was Level 2 at Castleburn bridge on a beaut of a day, so off we went and just jolled down the Valley of a Thousand Rapids. So much of fun. That is your best paddling day ever.
Bar None.
Scotstons. Hee hee!
Saturday night and we were lingering on the verandah, trying to deplete Underberg’s stock of red wine, and listening as the Mzimkhulu at the start of the Gorge was growling in the darkness.
Evinrude is usually the back seat engine of our K2 and is normally a little guarded about his ability in a K1, especially if it is technical or really big. But he had been pretty sharp in the top section the day before, so he was strutting his stuff.
That night all hell broke loose. Thunderbolt and lightning.Very very frightening. Me! (What does that mean anyhow?). And when we staggered out into the daylight the river was brown and bucking with fresh rains. So we got the same tripping group together to paddle the Gorge – Scotstons to Callaway at Level 4,5.
We had a few nervy newcomers in the group who had never paddled the Gorge full (let alone anything really big), and they were looking for some sort of reassurance. “Just stick with me, young man,” coo’ed Envinrude, putting his arm around the shoulders of this quivering Maritzburg College THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 87
schoolboy. “Been there, done that a thousand times,” he said. “Know every line, every sneak when it is full.” So off we went. Evinrude was living up to his Superman billing. Tatty antique paddling pants. No shirt. No shoes. Antique (fully non-compliant) PFD. Leaky splashcover. Remember Alfred E Neumann? “What, Me Worry?” That was Evinrude. So off we went, Evinrude leading from the front, loudly offering advice, news and dodgy humour without realising that no-one could hear it behind him. The Mineshaft Weir is deadly at this level.You can’t see the entry to the chute, and even if you got onto the
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chute OK, you would be washed over the sides. And even if you didn’t, you would be sorted six-love by the big boil at the bottom right. So we all had to portage on the left. Evinrude leads. Stands up in his boat and leaps nimbly onto the bank. And lets out a single syllable obscenity that could be heard in Himeville. Brambles. The bank was thick with them. And my barefooted buddy was right into the middle of them. He repeated the same well-known obscenity at three second intervals as he tried to step his way through the brambles barefoot, but it was messy. His feet were bleeding properly by the time we got around
the weir and put in. Evinrude was now grumpy, and the schoolboys wiser with the vocabulary lesson he had just dished out, creatively using the same word as an exclamation, conjunctiong, noun, pro-noun and verb. Classy! Into the Gorge we go, Evinrude leading, advising loudly as he led the group to Tokolosh rapid, which marks the start of the Gorge. “When it is full,Tokolosh is killer!” he said with suitable melodrama. “If you go down the middle the water goes straight over the big rock to form a potent pour-over.You will get washed, rinsed, spun-dried and then spat out,” he said.
“The line is down the right, almost touching the bank,” he said as he led the group back to the water after the recce on the bank, limping with his blooded, brambled feet. “Is it OK if we watch you first, sir?” asked the College boy. “Sure!” said Rude. “Very good decision, young man.” So I stood with the boys as we watched Evinrude point his battered Sabre upstream and turn with the current. Down the middle. Surely not. Into the heart of Tokolosh he went. Tokolosh was roaring but I could heard the familiar obscenity peppering the air. He handled the top drop but he was
still going straight for the pour-over in the centre at the bottom of the rapid. What? Steering cable broken? Pedals down? Then I realised it. His yelps were not frustration, they were pure pain as he tried to push the pedals to get to the right, but his feet riddled with bramble thorns just wouldn’t allow it. He loudly appealed to three different deities for help as he went over the pourover. And got munched. He disappeared from view for a moment. Then we saw the nose of his boat, followed quickly by the tail, and then both at the same time. We ran to help to see the Sabre, neatly folded at the cockpit drifting away, and a
waterlogged Evinrude popped up some way downstream. The boat was shot. We dredged out the grumpy Evinrude. Asked him if he was OK to walk out of the valley back to Scotstons. Negative, Ghostrider. Or words to that effect. The rest of the group left with some of the experienced paddlers in the group while I walked back along Scotstons Road to get my bakkie, and loaded my buddy, now doing a terrific impersonation of Eyeore, for a lift home with his broken boat and ego. But as they say, a bad day on the river is better than a good day at the office…
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