Paddle Mag 3 2018 June / July

Issue 3 2018

READY SET GO!

SA MARATHON CHAMPS ON THE WAY

Thule test

EVENTS Molokai Freedom Paddle EuroChallenge & more

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Full Race Calendars

Are you Tripping?

HELP! paddlers in distress

Spot Yourself: Out & About

Club Chat

IMAGE Lee Landman

CONTENTS FEATURES 24 CANOE POLO

Durban International & join a club

34 SA MARATHON

CHAMPS St Francis hosting

42

VLCC HOSTS BRIDGITTE HARTLEY

46 SOS helping a paddler in distress 56 PRODUCT REVIEW the Thule DockGrip

RACES IN REVIEW 14 INAUGURAL FREEDOM PADDLE

20 THERE & BACK CHALLENGE

26 EUROCHALLENGE 30 MAUI JIM MOLOKAI 39 BARCELONA YOUTH QUALIFICATIONS

54 STANFORD FESTIVAL

REGULARS 12 A WORD FROM YOU 50 OPINION by Celliers Kruger Are you Tripping?

58 RECIPES souped up 62 CLUBS

Send your letters to admin@thepaddlemag.co.za

FIND us on the WEB thepaddlemag.co.za FB @thepaddlemag

on the cover ISSUE 3 / 2018

Likkewaan Canoe Club

64 OUT AND ABOUT Spot yourself

70 CALENDARS

Canoeing and Surfski events around the country, get training and planning

77 VIEW FROM THE BACK OF THE BOAT

IMAGE Cape Photographic Studio EVENT Western Cape Marathon Champs

CONTRIBUTORS Jennie Dallas Kevin Brunette Celliers Kruger Likkewaan Canoe Club Knysna Water Polo Club Rodger Duffett Rob Mousley Kim Pople

PUBLISHER Terrence Pomeroy-Ward terrence@thepaddlemag.co.za AD SALES admin@thepaddlemag.co.za DESIGNER Tracy Ward ADMIN admin@thepaddlemag.co.za 8

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PHOTOGRAPHY Cape Photographic Studio Cape Town Sports Photography Anthony Grote Lynne Hauptfleish Stanford Tourism Jean Tresfon Lee Landman Theresa Welsh Dale Staples Kim Pople Joanne Tanner Lisa de Speville Raquel Lope PUBLISHED ON Issuu.com

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SA Schools National River Championships Entries opening soon!

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NOTE FROM THE ED We have so much to be proud of!

What a fantastic two months it has been since I last had to write this letter. The canoe polo guys have hosted their best tournament to date in Knysna. Record team entries, fierce completion and in all a fantastic vibe.

Then a quick hop up the hill to SA schools and seniors sprints. Here the sprinters produced lightning fast results even at the high altitude. What was also good to see is the number of up and coming sprinters tearing down the course. Is it just me or does there seem to be renewed interest in sprinting? The result of that effort was four of the seniors heading off to Hungary and Germany to represent us in the international regattas. We screamed and cheered for Esti, Kayla (good to see her back), Louis and Chrisjan at every possible moment. We are super proud of them for securing four A Finals and numerous semifinals. (The juniors go later in the year) International we are having a fabulous time too. The EuroChallenge had a distinctly South African feel to it with both the men’s and ladies winners being South Africa. The Rice bothers basically diced it out with each other when they blitzed the Euro Challenge 2018 raced off La Vila Joyosa Spain earlier this month. Sean is the reigning Champion and romped home to claim another win but not without a hard fought tactical battle from his brother Kenny. The ladies winner, Chloe Bunnett who had to contend with growing competition to claim the ladies race. Jenna Ward kicked off her international

tour with a resounding 4th in the EuroChallenge. Jenna then then jetted off to Hungary where she entered the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup and finished up in 8th place overall. We are hoping to see her in action at this month’s SA Marathon Champs.

We had three juniors representing us at the Youth Olympic Trials in Barcelona during this time to and we stand in awe of what they did. They had to learn two new ways of racing, master a big drop start and eskimo roll in the middle of a race and beat off 250 other competitors for the 64 spots. In all that, two of then still managed to qualify for the Youth Olympics – astounding stuff they are made of!

Lastly we had three athletes enter the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge last weekend and like hundreds of others could not wait for the epic battles between Hayley and Rachel and Hank and Cory to unfold so we opted to wait up for the live broadcast. The predictions were that it was going to be a record breaking year due to the conditions and they were spot on. We are sure that we join the thousands of South Africa paddlers and supporters in saying a HUGE congratulations to Hayley, Hank, Jasper and Oscar on an exhilarating crossing and phenomenal results.

A big shout out to all the paddlers and admin that make our fantastic sport what it is today, without the athletes putting in the hard yards, coaches and admin plotting the next move and our super generous sponsors very little of this would be possible.

Ed.

and the WINNER is: JILL RUMBLELOW! Thank you for sharing the post, we hope that you love your MAT BAG as much as we love ours!

Dry bag Mat to change on Wet bag for all your wet gear

hello@bottomlinesa.co.za THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 11

INBOX

Send your letters to admin@thepaddlemag.co.za

Hi There, I am taking up paddling again at Stellenbosch after a break for many years and am now 55. I found the boat market has changed a lot and canoes are expensive. Do you perhaps know of a credible review in a paddle magazine or somewhere about stable K1 river canoes that I can consult before I buy something?

Where does one find notices of good used K1 canoes?

I would be really grateful for your advice.

Kind regards Ernst

Hi Ernst, Welcome back to paddling - it is good to have you back.Yes I am sure that a lot has changed but there are two boats that have stood the test of time and that is the Manta and Assegai. If you would like a little more stability then you may be able to pick up a second hand yetti K1.

We did draw up a boat stability chart just over a year ago which I have attached to the email for your consideration.The best bet would be to make contact with your local canoe club (Marties is based in Stellenbosch) and to see if they have any club boats that you can paddle to test for size and comfort before purchasing your own.

Next would be to get in touch with your local canoe shop and speak to the sales persons as they will also be able to advise you depending on your ability and where you intend to paddle in the future.

Happy paddling and hopefully we will see you on the water soon, Regards Ed

12 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

IMAGES Cape Town Sports Photography

IMAGES Cape Town Sports Photography

Freedom Paddle

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THE IDEA WAS SIMPLE, ON FREEDOM DAY HAVE A BUNCH OF PADDLERS PADDLE FORM OCEANA POWERBOAT AROUND ROBBEN ISLAND AND BACK AGAIN A WONDERFUL 29KM.

IMAGE Jean Tresfon

It makes sense as Robben Island has played a pivotal role in South Africa history from first being a feeding station for passing ships to being a leper colony to a slave colony, being used in the 2nd World War to

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defend our Port of Cape Town and finally our current history were in 1959 it was again declared a prison colony. After the Rivonia trial in 1964, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and other senior ANC leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.

Nelson Mandela spent 18 years there before the start of his release process and the negotiations that took us in to the new era of politics and we earned the title of becoming the “Rainbow Nation”. What could be a better way of celebrating than

to paddle around the island where it all began?

The race organisers were certainly not expecting the overwhelming support that they got form paddlers in Southern Africa. Paddlers from Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape appeared in their droves to show their support. There was even a surprise delegation from Namibia who had a history of the island. Over 200 paddlers bundled in to Oceana in the end. Added to this some of the world’s best paddlers

jumped in to make to make sure that we were all paying attention to the sharp end of the race. When people like Dawid Mocke and his bother Jasper, Hayley Nixon, Sabina Lawrie, Hank McGregor and Matt Bouman teaming up with Phil Smith plus the up and coming Tyron Maher and Clint Cook put their hands up – we knew it was going to be a great race!

news and tit-bits in the run up to the race. At the venue there were super goodie bags for those that entered early (Thanks – love mine!), ski racks, skis for hire, shop for last minute supplies and super food. As Hayley described the atmosphere around the race “it felt like people were just amped for a new adventure which is quite unique feeling and made doing the first one so cool”.

The race organisers went all out to provide an awesome vibe with social media just humming with

The race was billed as a doubles race and we agree with Jasper Mocke that it should get entrenched

on our calendar as a doubles race.

And what a race it turned out to be! The weather was much better than expected, the large swells from the night before had dropped off and there was a light northerly wind with just enough bump to give one a fun ride home once you had come around Robben Island. With the drop in swell the war stories of the reefs on the western side of the island did not materialize making the biggest challenge of the day to avoid the kelp if one opted to take the tigers line through the

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 17

beds giving paddlers ample time to appreciate Robben Island.

The singles and short course paddlers set off first giving them a half hour lead before the long course doubles set off on their race.

This gave most of the singles the opportunity to watch surfski racing at its best as the doubles caught up and surfed the bumps on the way home. The singles got off to a clean start but the doubles had a little glitch to start with Hayley explains “ The start was hectic as I do not think that the media boat that took off with the men realized the amount of wake it created; it was like being in a washing machine and we had boats coming over our bow and back – it was chaos but once that settled down it was awesome” Then they were off, the ladies were soon surrounded by strong teams sharing the pull but out in front the

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leaders were not having it quite so easy as Jasper explains “About a quarter or a third of the way out to the Island they (Mat and Phil) came to the front and they did not do an interval or anything, I think that they just got in to their rhythm and suddenly there was only two of us.We certainly had to paddle pretty hard to stay on their tail and they ended up pulling the majority of the way to the island with us only doing 1 or 2km here and there” And then it was time to around Robben Island itself. Jasper first paddled around the island in 2004 during a World Cup race but for the other three race winners this was a completely new experience and by their own admission they often found themselves looking at the island rather than concentrating on the other paddlers. “I had never been around the island before. So it was amazing to see it from the sea.

You are racing so you are focusing on

the race when suddenly you look up and it is a little crazy, there are derelict block houses and the wreck that just sits there. So it is quite unique in one instant you are racing and in the next you are admiring an iconic landmark” said Nic Notten.

By the time the leaders had come around the island it was just the Mocke and Bouman boat fighting it out so they settled down and focused on catching runs but in Matts words “it is not over until it is over” and Nic picked up the story “We did almost come short though and get taken out, we had paddled around most of the island and were pretty much heading for home when we paddled across a little reef and all of a sudden a wave popped up on our right”. They just got out of the way in time before heading for home.

In a surprise turn of events the boat of Tyron Maher and Clint Cook

had a cracker of a downwind leg.

In Jaspers own words “I think they turned the Island in fifth or sixth and then shot through the field to catch up with us.The next thing Nic pointed out that Clint and Tyron were basically in line with us resulting in lung hurting 2km sprint for the finish.We came across the line stuffed because in the last two kilometers we had to paddle our butts off.”

In the ladies race it was pretty much plain sailing due to the small field but one hopes that now that this is an established race more of the ladies teams will come and do battle on the Atlantic Ocean. It was great to see two icons of women’s paddling Nikki Mocke and Kim van Gysen teaming on the start line, we do hope that this is a return to competitive paddling. The lady winners did not have it that easy as they had to deal with the element of surprise as “everyone at the start,

had been telling us these gnarly stories about Madiba’s Corner and this wave and that wave and I did not know where any of them were!” – Hayley. To add another challenge to the event the ladies picked their own race; Hayley picked up the story “it was quite technical (on the way home) and we caught whatever we could.We were hunting the mixed double in front of us Uli (Hart) and Christie (Mackenzie) quite hard.There were a few times when we got a few good runs together and I thought that we were going to pull up next to them and have a real fight but huts off to them they never let us do that.They would see us and go just as hard. So in the end we had a great race”.

4. Hank McGregor / Lee Furby Ladies: 1. Hayley Nixon / Sabina Lawrie 2. Nikki Mocke / Kim van Gysen 3. Wilma Deyzel / Louisa Van Staaden Singles: 1. Barry Lewin 2. Biancia Beavitt 3. Richard Lowe

SUMMARY OF RESULTS Men: 1. Jasper Mocke / Nic Notten 2. Tyron Maher / Clint Cook 3. Matt Bouman / Phil Smith

Spot yourself in more images in the Out & About section.

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 19

IMAGES Cape Town Sports Photography

There & Back Challenge

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EVERY YEAR THE FISH HOEK BEACH SPORTS CLUB HOSTS THE THERE AND BACK CHALLENGE AS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE NSRI. WE HEARD FROM ROB MOUSLEY HIS EXPERIENCE ON THIS AWESOME RACE. The wave reared up, curling over and dumping over the ski, stopping me dead in my tracks; the other two surged past and I thought, “will that bloody buoy EVER get any closer?!”

We were a few hundred metres from the turn at Miller’s Point, roughly half-way into the annual Fish Hoek Galley/ETE There and Back Challenge.

The southeaster, gusting to 25kt, had turned the bay white with breaking waves and the organisers shortened the course from the full 27km to a still-demanding 7km upwind followed by what would be 22 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

a glorious 11km downwind section, nearly the whole of the (in)famous Miller’s Run. At the front end Kenny Rice had been expecting the race to be turned into a pure downwind event.

“Good on the organisers for pushing through,” he said. “The course ended up being perfect; it would have been horrible paddling from Fish Hoek, but it wasn’t bad going along the coast.”

Simon van Gysen and Ian Black, paddling doubles, got off to a quick start across Simon’s Bay to the harbour – but not quite fast enough, and Rice, Stuart MacLaren and Mark Keeling as well as Luke Durr/Tayne Thompson (junior doubles) reeled them back in and the group of five surfskis worked in a bunch upwind, the single skis slipstreaming the doubles.

Heading out into the 25kt southeasterly gusts, in the middle

of the pack I knew we were in for a hard grind. Having put in an interval at the start to catch up to a double, I’d settled in for the ride when an errant single ski (no names, no pack-drill) came blundering across from the right, the paddler apparently not seeing me. With barely a curse word (being out of breath) I swerved, losing the double and expecting the other single to take the slip. He didn’t! And now we were both off the double’s slip and there was no way I’d find my way back into this wind.

Aaaargh! Onwards towards the harbour, and just before we got there a gust flipped a paddler in front, his ski instantly being whipped downwind, restrained only by the leash.

As we passed (sorry for you, mate) a couple of other skis now latched onto me – and leading the group of

three, I steered into the shelter of every harbour wall, rock or patch of weed I could find, making ground at times but slowly falling behind the group in front when we were exposed to the direct wind and waves.

And finally at the front of the race, way out of sight, the leading group of five turned around the buoy, to head downwind to the finish at Fish Hoek.

“The first section, sheltered by Miller’s Point, was almost flat and the doubles got away,” said Rice. “So, I headed right, taking an offshore line to get into the bigger runs.”

By the time they reached the lighthouse he’d caught the leaders.

“I had a great km after the lighthouse and dropped them,” said Rice. “After that I was working to stay ahead of the doubles.”

Rice won the race in 1:19:05, beating Ian Black/Simon van Gysen by nearly a minute (and crossing the line when I was still 20min back, half way across the bay…)

“Thanks as always to the organisers for a superb event,” said Rice, “and a shout out to my sponsors:Think Kayaks and EuroSteel.”

And then it was a final effort to work the big runs into the bay and to avoid swimming in the surf onto the beach.

A superb race in fabulous conditions.

ROB MOUSLEY

Ian Black and Simon van Gysen won the doubles race. While back in the mid-pack we too finally turned the buoy, and like Kenny, I headed diagonally out to sea to find the bigger, better runs.

As usual, the field scattered, and only one or two other surfskis were visible, showing themselves occasionally on the top of a wave and it was only as we arrived in Fish Hoek Bay that suddenly other paddlers popped up to right and left as we converged towards the finish.

Spot yourself in more images in the Out & About section.

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Durban International Canoe Polo IMAGES Joanne Tanner The 2018 Edition of the Durban international took place at the UKZN PMB pool. The team to beat was the title holders, the Benchwarmers who were looking to retain their title. They faced some fierce competition from the SA men’s side despite the SA men’s side missing two players due to injury. The tournament was held over two days with good weather throughout.

There was a very high number of junior players playing which is great for the sport and speaks of the success of the CSA Polo committee’s sport development plan and the work of the clubs in developing the sport in the juniors. The touring SA men’s and ladies side used the tournament as vital practice for the tour to Belgium later in the year.

The Benchwarmers walked away with the title again, showing the young SA men’s team that experience is king in this sport! The SA ladies put in the winning game when it mattered with a victory over the u16 Gauteng dragons for the 3rd -4th place playoff. The dragons also won the u16 Division.

The next tournament is at the Knysna Oyster Festival, happening on the 7th & 8th of July, queries for this event are to be directed to Iain Hanton: 082 653 7967 DON WEWEGE 24 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

Become a Canoe Polo

PLAYA

join a club today KNYSNA CANOE POLO CLUB Canoe polo in Knysna started about nine years ago on a very social basis, with very old equipment, no helmets or lifejackets and with primitive boats. It started to get more serious when Nelson Das Fontes got involved five years ago, falling in love with the sport and starting to recruit players and getting new equipment.

Last year we had only about 8-9 kids playing weekly.

They managed to win the SA champs in Gauteng. We now have around 20 players. For kids this is an amazing water sport, the confidence and strength that they gain from playing is immense. We have seen young boys going from not being able to hold a paddle to becoming so top body strong. Our boy’s u16 have won the SA Champs and U16 girls are going to be a team to watch.

We now have 24 boats, helmets, paddles and life jackets.

We have a great relationship with Fluid who have in the past helped us with a few boats, but the majority are owned by players themselves. Compared to any other

sport canoe polo is extremely affordable. As players get better and step up we will see more second hand entry fluid boats on the market. Hopefully this will enable more players to enter into the sport.

TRAINING At the moment kids only play on the weekend only but prior to a competition we play twice a week. Adults play twice a week on Thursdays and on the weekend.

Most of our kids paddling time trials on Tuesdays are improving on their strength work.

GOALS To go to the Junior World Champs next year in Ireland and be competitive‌ feeding into our U21 and seniors sides eventually.

EVENTS Annual Oyster festival Canoe Polo and recently the SA CHAMPS. We would love to host the Junior World Champs soon.

CONTACT Nelson Das Fontes 0722777664 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 25

IMAGES Raquel Lopez 26 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

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“Kenny flew off the line,” said Sean Rice. “I had to consolidate, stay on his wave to the buoy. I knew I couldn’t give him an inch… I went hard for 3km to try to open a gap; looked around, he was still right there!” And what he didn’t know was that “Flash” Gordan Harbrecht was also right behind him…

The paddlers were dicing in the first big international race of the European season: EuroChallenge 2018 off La Vila Joyosa, Spain.

With a good 20kt forecast WSW wind, there was no doubt which course the organisers would chose: Start on the beach at El Campello, 500m out to sea to a buoy, turn 90 degrees left and head 17km straight downwind to the finish in the harbour entrance at La Vila Joyosa.

“They were really unlucky the first few times they ran the race,” said Sean Rice. “The event got a bit of reputation for hot, flat conditions. But things have changed completely; four out the last five races have had good downwinds.”

Rice brothers on the hunt.

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The event had declared a two-day waiting period with a lifesaving-style knockout event scheduled for the “other” day. Race Director Antoine Ferrer chose to run the main event on Sunday to ensure the best possible downwind conditions.

“The lifesaving event was great fun,” said Sean Rice. “Perfect for getting on the water and loosening up a bit.The race threw a bit of prizemoney at it too, and all the top paddlers took part.”

Esteban Medina (Spain) won the men’s final with Jenna Ward (South Africa) winning the women’s race.

The day of the main race dawned, the paddlers checked their boats on the trailers, picked up and activated their tracking units and made their way to the buses to be transported to El Campello.

Sean Rice got to the beach even earlier. “I’ve spent so little time on the sea this year,” he laughed, “that I actually went down for a paddle on the morning of the race just to get a few minutes more in the waves before the

race.”

“I’ve won this race before,” said Chloë Bunnett, “but this time we had real opposition!” Top Spanish athletes including Judit Vergés Xifra, Amaia Osabo Olaberri and Aurora Figueras Palomeras were lined up, as well as South African Jenna Ward.

“The conditions were pefect,” Bunnett said. “The wind was more westerly than normal; direct from the turn buoy to the finish, with a big swell coming over your right shoulder.”

After a quick glance at the buoy to see where her opposition was, Bunnett focussed on the waves.

“I decided to ignore the others; to concentrate and put the hammer down, link as many as possible and ride the big ones where I could.”

She had her GPS showing 1km splits, which told her how well she was progressing. “It was really exciting: the splits were great, and I knew if I could keep it up, it would be tough for anyone to overtake me,” she

said.

Having paddled the course many times before, she knew exactly where she was and which line she wanted to take into the finish.

By then the wind and waves had both strengthened and she concentrated on achieving her best splits over the final 2-3km.

“It was my fastest average speed in a race ever,” she commented.

But when she arrived at the finish, there was a problem. When she asked where she’d come, the reply was, “oh, you’re definitely in the top 40!” Not what she wanted to know… and in the turmoil of wind, waves and skis, it was another 20 minutes before she found someone to confirm that she had in fact won the women’s race!

“I was super-stoked,” she said. “I’ve been training really hard; a superb start to the season.”

The men’s race was a flat-out sprint with Sean Rice working an inside line in smaller runs, with Gordan Harbrecht, while Kenny Rice headed out to sea.

“It was a little like a reverse Miller’s Run at home,” said Kenny. “It was small to begin with, but building, with bigger ocean swells coming from behind on the right from the galeforce winds out at sea.You had to be careful which runs you took so as not to be pushed too far inshore.”

Kenny’s tactics were to head further offshore to where the bigger runs were and then to angle in on them, at a higher speed. “Sean was muscling over the smaller runs, but I wanted some height to come in at the end,” Kenny said. The plan almost worked: Kenny’s last three splits were all under 3:20 per km, but Sean was too far ahead.

the finish; he was aware of Kenny riding the bigger runs and catching up rapidly to his right. His mind started playing tricks on him: “I thought I saw a buoy to the right and instantly connected it to Kenny – I suddenly thought that that was why he’d gone deep, he knew about the buoy and I didn’t.”

Sean veered out to sea for a few moments before coming to his senses (there was no buoy) and heading directly to the finish, crossing the line just under 13 seconds in front of Kenny.

“I was so stoked with the win,” said Sean Rice. “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the kayak, so I wasn’t sure where I was in the surfski at all.This was the first downwind in a LONG time!”

But the race wasn’t quite over...

Sean Rice had a minor panic at

ROB MOUSLEY

Jenna Ward shows how its done!

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This last weekend saw the 43rd edition of the Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association’s Maui Jim Molokai Challenge. As South African we are besotted with the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge or the Molokai as we know it. First raced in 1977 it has become the long distance open ocean race to compete in. So the speculation was rife in the run up to the race about who will be there and eventually who will take the race. Ever since 1983 when Oscar Chalupsky entered and won it for the first time has this race been etched on the surfski calendar as the one to watch and this year we 30 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

were not disappointed.

We were all delighted when we heard that Hayley Nixon, thanks to the very generous sponsorship of Shaw and Partners, would be joining our two long time campaigners in the battle; Hank McGregor (1st entered 2007) and Jasper Mocké (1st entered 2014). The last South African woman to do battle in Hawaii was Alexa Cole (Lombard) in 2008 when she comfortably claimed the 2nd step on the podium. Could we finally have a Lady winner of the race?

For the last couple of years the

‘Channel of Bones’ has hardly lived up to its name instead that race has been run in relatively flat conditions with little wind or no wind at all forcing the paddlers to simply grin their way across the 53km in unbelievable humidity. This year the weathers gods finally smiled on the event and they were blessed with 15 – 20knts ENE wind which is ideal in order to make the crossing as the wind blows steadily on ones back.

In the run up to the race the talk of the commentators was that it was looking like the records were about to fall. The men’s have been held since 1997 when Dean Gardiner

shot across the line in 3:21 and 2010 when Hawaii’s Lauren Spalding took the win. The big question was just who was going to hold the new course records at the end of the day.

With defending champion and fellow South African; Sean Rice unable to make the event eyes were turned to his team mates to take up the strain. Hank McGregor (Euro Steel / Fenn) was looking strong having cleaned up at World Marathon Champs in September last year and had taken his incredible form through to this year with an emphatic win at this year’s

FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon. Hank McGregor last won the Molokai in 2016 for the 3rd time so he was back to climb on to the top step.

Jasper Mocké (Euro Steel /Epic Kayaks) is also in fantastic form, often been seen on the renowned Millers Run course, training with the Orka Squad and having recently seized the win at the inaugural Freedom Paddle. They were pitted against serious International completion, one of those being Cory Hill from Australia. Hank and Cory hammered it out together last in the World Championships in Hong Kong in ridiculously big waves

showing that both of them revel in the big water. Cory took the win in Hong Kong so we knew he was going to be fierce completion. Cory has been training with Machenzie Hynard who is in really good form this year and we were sure that he will be bringing his eagerness to the water on Sunday. From America we had Austin Kieffer who finished 7th in last year’s World Championships proving that he can handle big water and by all accounts has been getting faster and faster this year so we expected to see in in the mix.

In the ladies race we were sure it was going to be a Rachel Clarke THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 31

affair until news broke that Shaw and Partner were sending Hayley Nixon (Shaw and Partner/Euro Steel/Carbonology) in to the skirmish just three weeks before the event. Now suddenly this race had taken on a whole new dimension for us as South Africans.

Rachel Clarke is a previous winner of the Molokai and knew well what it would take to make this race her own again. Plus the Molokai has been on her radar for a couple of months giving her time to mentally prepare for the distance and the course itself. Hayley on the other hand is the reigning World Champion and although new to the event is not new to the distance as she won the Cape Point Challenge (52km) in December 2017. Would three weeks be enough time to get ready? Thankfully fellow South African / Portuguese / German paddler and 12 times winner Oscar

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Chalupsky was also on hand to give Hayley some tips on the course in the week leading up to the race– but the question remained would it be enough.

We are sure that we will all finally see the battle unfold when the TV documentary is released but until then all we could do is watch the live coverage from the middle of the race.

In the end the record falling predictions were proved right with Cory Hill flying across the line in a time of 3:15 clipping six minutes off the previous record. He was followed thirty seconds later by Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocké a minute and a half later.

In the ladies race it was South Africa’s very own Hayley Nixon that came flying across the line in a record smashing 3:52 a whole 10 minutes off the previous record.

She was followed by Rachel Clarke a minute later and Jordan Mercer two minutes behind her.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS Men 1. Corey Hill (Aus) 3:15:09 2. Hank McGregor (RSA) 3:15:39 3. Jasper Mocké (RSA) 3:17:03 Women 1. Hayley Nixon (RSA) 3:52:02 2. Rachel Clarke (NZL) 3:53:03 3. Jordan Mercer (AUS) 3:55:37 We would be remiss if we did not report that in the time honoured battle between Dean Gardiner and Oscar Chalupsky, Dean took the win by five minutes.

Until next year when you will once again find us shouting at our computer screen at 1am on a Monday morning.

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 33

IMAGES Dale Staples

SA Marathons is GAME ON and they could not have chosen a more stunning venue!!

34 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

St Francis is the best venue one could hope for at this time of the year. It is far away from the bitter cold on the Highveld and far enough east to miss the stormy cold fronts that everyone keeps praying will slam in to Cape Town in the coming months.

Ok, so jokes aside it really is a picturesque course with paddlers racing we think a very tactical race through the channels and under the narrow bridges. But it the take out that is going to be interesting to say in the least. Daryl Staples explains “It is a beach take out, the portage

SA MARATHON CHAMPS

area is a beach sand base with a gradual entry point to the paddlers left and a flat 100m beach run, followed by a put in to the right which will also have a gradual slope to the water edge�. It is reminiscent of The ICF World Marathon Champs in Gyor – Hungary in 2015. This is great news

if you were on the international tour but it is going to be a new experience for most. Those that run on the beach know that the sand will get softer as the day progresses and as more people run on it. The next great thing about St Francis is that there are lots of places to

cheer your paddlers on. The race organisers have arranged a really splendid food court at the event site right next to the finish and across the water from the portage but one is not limited to only watching from there. There will be a ferry to take you across the water THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 35

if you want a close up of paddlers clambering in and out of their boats. There are also numerous vantage points around the course should one want to count how many skinny boats one really can fit under a bridge. The next factor to consider is that the course is linked to the sea, so again we asked Daryl to talk us through what to expect and this is what he had to say “The canal channels are indeed tidal and as the event takes place over a New Moon tidal cycle, the degree of tidal movement is at its maximum during the midday low tide scenario. All in all, the 4,2km course loop is equally balanced in terms of a tidal push and pull. The degree of magnitude is the only variable depending on the time of day or how close your race starts to the midday low tide or quite possibly the nearer your race takes place to the later afternoon high tide or early morning high tide” simply put it is going to be tough on the midday low tide so pace yourself and get a feel for the course on the first lap before making your move.

LOGISTICS The race organisers have allocated 3 trailer park areas near the main event arena for the convenience of paddlers and also to minimise the traffic congestion on the road close to the event site.

So please do not try and take your trailers to your accommodation, rather drop them off in the designated areas.

WHO TO WATCH At the time of going to the press GAU and the EC were yet to host their trials so it is very difficult to know for sure who is in and who is out based on their other commitments but from what we have seen the anticipation is building. There has been a noticeable upsurge in the number of paddlers 36 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

that are doing the hard yards in the hope of representing our country in Portugal later in the year. Having just watched the WCCU Champs and gone through the results of the KZN trials one thing is for sure – we are counting our pennies so that we can go to St Francis to watch the main event. Here are some of the people to watch. Right up there as our apex predators must be Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett – they were captains of boat 1 and 2 in last year’s Champs and combined incredibly well in this year’s 2018 Duzi Canoe Marathon. They made light work of all the portages in the low water conditions proving that they can paddle and run well together making them a formidable pair. The next team to watch is Jasper Mocke and Nic Notten.

Jasper holds the title for the most capped K2 paddler in SA. He has been on the World Marathon Champs podium five times. Jasper is teaming up with Nic Notten; who can forget Nic’s titanic battle with Balboa in last year’s U23 K1 battle. Balboa opted to let Nic do all the work for the last two laps – and work Nic did. They also train together and teamed up for the inaugural Freedom Paddle recently which shows that they make an exciting team to watch. The third team to keep an eye on would be Stu MacLaren and Kenny Rice.

They were just piped by the two boats that won last year’s World Marathon Champs but it is a year later and both paddlers are stronger and better and they were in great form at the recent WCCU Champs finishing two minutes ahead of their nearest competitors. Stu and Kenny have been racing together for years and we know that the essence of a great K2 performance is two people working perfectly

together. The list of dark horses is also quite extensive; Uli Hart and Matthew Fenn teamed up to come a well-earned second in the WCCU champs. At the time of going to the press we were hoping that Michael Arthur, Louis Hattingh, Siseko Ntondini, Hamish Lovemore, Nicolas Weeks, Alex Masina and Zac Preyser would also be teaming up for this battle.

The ladies race is going to be phenomenal. Most of the top teams will have at least one team member that has recently competed overseas which brings experience to the team and all of them are coming off great wins. As an example Bianca Beavitt (Won Ladies singles (2nd Single overall) – Freedom Paddle) teamed up with Melanie Van Niekerk (selected to Represent SA in Sprints) Jenna Ward recently came a fantastic 8th in the World Cup and is teaming up with Keyta Purchase who came 7th in last year’s U23 World Champs.

Bridgitte Hartley (Won KZN trials) teamed up with Melissa Van Rooyen (sprints and marathons) for the KZN trials and we are hoping that they take the partnership to SA’s.

Right behind them was Kerry Segal and Donna Winter with less than a second to spare.

Of course the joy of being hosted in St Francis is that being there is like having a summer holiday in the middle of winter and everyone could do with one of those. So do bring the family, there is lots to do from just relaxing in the sunshine to playing on the beach, paddling in the surf to exploring quaint coffee shops and marvellous restaurants.

You could also get out and visit the penguin rescue and rehabilitation Centre. For the more adventurous – you could do one of the stunning

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 37

trails along the coastline or go whale and dolphin watching. Just click on the link below and you can book accommodation. www.eccu.co.za/canoemarathon-accommodation For the best places we contacted one of the locals and this is what they had to say ‘The St Francis

38 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

Village is well known for the excellent local atmosphere vibes intrinsic to a coastal village rich in surf/ocean culture. Some suggestions would be: St Francis Brewing Company, Quayside Restaurant, Joe Fish Restaurant in Cape St Francis will also have great menu options with the Rugby on the big screen on Sat 16 June, with kick

off @17h00.� They have thought of everything and you are guaranteed the best racing this year.

PACK YOUR BAGS

AND WE WILL SEE YOU THERE!

IMAGES Kim Pople

BARCELONA YOUTH OLYMPICS QUALIFYING EVENT THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 39

THE HISTORICAL CANAL OLYMPIC DE CATALUNYA, WHICH HOSTED THE CANOE AND KAYAK SPRINT EVENTS AT THE 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES, WAS THE BACKDROP TO A NEW WAVE OF ASPIRING OLYMPIANS. THE ICF YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES QUALIFIERS ATTRACTED OVER 250 BOATS FROM 60 NATIONS TO BARCELONA OVER 12-15 APRIL. 64 slots were available for the Games that will take place in Buenos Aires during October of this year thus ensuring intense and exciting racing.

Lizzie Conradie, Kwanda Mzolo and Pierre van der Westhuyzen flew the SA flag high as they lined up against the other competitors from around the globe.

40 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

This event encompasses an interesting new format where the young athletes’ race head-to-head while being exposed to the many thrilling disciplines that are available within the sport. The ‘figure-of-8’ sprint event includes the challenging start and the short distance that is present in the senior events while also providing buoy turns and varying winds that are reminiscent of a marathon event.

The slalom event was equally as demanding with a high start ramp (about 6ft), testing buoy route, which incorporates 360º turns, followed by the eskimo roll before athletes race back to the finish line.

This set up is a dream for slalom and canoe polo athletes. All three of our athletes were quick to admit that they preferred the sprint course to the slalom because of the mandatory eskimo roll. Only Lizzy had any experience in a slalom boat

before the event as she has recently started playing canoe polo but she had a new challenge of her own to overcome as she said “I’m afraid of heights and didn’t like the ramp”. To Kwanda’s credit he had this to say about the experience “I took my time and practiced it until I got it, it wasn’t easy but when the time went

by I got it nicely and I was happy”.

Pierre shared Lizzy’s experience of the starting ramp and had this to say “The first few goes down the ramp I was a bit nervous and scared but after a few tries I got used to it and it became easier.”

In addition to the exciting course, racing the clock in the early rounds led into head-to-head knockout stages. This meant that the pressure was constantly increasing as the competition progressed, for spectator and athlete. We asked Pierre what he thought “It was very nerve wrecking because it’s so easy to

mess up and you only have one chance but there was also so much excitement.” Lizzy was enthusiastic about the format saying that “being on the startling line was quite nerve racking but I think it goes so quickly that before you blink your eyes, you’re at the finish.”

This spectator friendly event encourages young athletes to learn a variety of skills and teaches them to race under pressure while having fun and as Pierre said “The vibe was really cool at the event because we got to meet and interact with athletes from many other countries and there were also a lot of other things happening at the course other than the training and racing” It is always an honour to represent your country and Kwanda had this to say: “It was amazing and fantastic because even my teammates treated me like a champ and I was a role model for many paddlers. I’m happy that I was chosen to be the one who will represent the country and I’m going to try again.”

We are delighted to be able to tell you that Lizzy and Pierre topped the African countries at the event, and have earned the right to compete in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina from the 1 – 6 October 2018.

KIM POPLE

Kim Pople is a previous winner of SA Sports Volunteer of the Year Award, can be found most days on a river bank answering questions or chatting to our paddlers. A passion for development and high performance.

IMAGE Theresa Welsh 42 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

Bridgitte wows at VLCC ON THE 11TH OF APRIL, VICTORIA LAKE CANOE CLUB HOSTED AN ENTERTAINING AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH THE EVER DELIGHTFUL BRIDGITTE HARTLEY, OUR OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST FOR CANOEING. The day was made up of three parts; first Bridgitte ran a super coaching session with the club members. We all think that we have our stroke down pat until an expert looks at it. She amazed everyone that attended the workshop with her practical exercises and hands on approach.

Next up was the obligatory time trial race which is such fun because it is not often that one gets to line up against an Olympian. Unfortunately Bridgitte was very ill with bronchitis but with her never say die (even if you feel like it!!) attitude sucked it up and did one lap with a junior sprinter from VLCC. So for those of you who came away from that TT with the comment “I beat Bridgitte in the TT” we would say yes but on any other night… , From what we understand she loved the hospitality and the vibe so if you would like a rematch just say the word and we will let Bridgitte know!

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 43

Then it was the business end of the visit; the dinner, talk and auction. The VLCC came out in their masses to show their support for their much loved Olympic representative. The hall was jam packed with people waiting to hear her story. She enthralled her audience as she recounted the steps that have got her to where she is now all the while being egged on by the highly entertaining Dave Macleod acting as MC. It truly is a story of grit and determination and a wonderful inspiration when you listen to her highlights. It is easy to forget how hard it is to race internationally as we watch our sprinters come screaming down the lanes in a European city, but Bridgette’s story really brings it home and should serve as an

44 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

encouragement to all who would like to follow in her footsteps.

Bridgitte then auctioned off a 5l bottle of wine with her signature on it which went for a surprising amount (did they think it included dinner?). Finally the piece de

framed making it a fantastic display piece to be hung on any club wall were paddlers gather to make their own plans for the future. The bidding was lively as you can imagine but finally there was a winner who could gallantly step up to claim his prize.

Although a wonderfully light-hearted event it did have principle focus of being a fundraiser for young paddlers and specifically those wishing to compete in this year’s Berg River Marathon. We look forward to seeing the beneficiaries of this event on the water soon and hoping that they will be inspired to keep on paddling.

resistance: a nice bright green long sleeve vest of hers from the London Olympic Games in 2012 was up for auction. The vest was superbly

JENNIE DALLAS

IMPROVE YOUR PADDLING EXPERIENCE

Available from www.lulu.com (just type in “surfski”), or contact author Kevin Brunette: brunette@iafrica.com

IMAGE Athony Grote 46 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

S O S

helping a paddler in distress!

Helping a paddler in distress is top priority, not only good etiquette.

Assisting someone should be less traumatic than affecting a self-rescue.You might help a paddler one day and another day be grateful for some assistance.

All paddlers, even in a group, should have the ability for self-rescue. They should be similarly equipped with safety gear, the same as you; otherwise they immediately transfer that reliance onto you.

Be wary of someone joining your group that you perceive might not cope with the intended activity.

Unless you make special arrangements, some kind of THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 47

assistance will be inevitable sooner or later, with you being obliged to provide it.

#1 READING THE SITUATION

#3 DROWNING Don’t underestimate the possibility that the paddler could be drowning.

Someone might be only a few meters away while you are not fully aware of the situation.

When assisting a paddler in distress, read the situation as quickly and best you can. If not acquainted with the procedures, having someone alongside in the water, or on the back of your craft and getting him or her out of a danger area can become an enormous undertaking.

It only takes a person 20 to 60 seconds to drown, and is a totally silent outcome. Danger signs to look for is the individual starts to float on his or her back and has a blank focus.

A sure sign is water level with his or her mouth.

If you consider the situation to be critical, use your discretion to initiate a distress communication immediately and only then proceed with the rescue. The sooner you make the call, the more you can focus on the situation.

#4 CALLING THE QUALIFIED RESCUERS

#2 DEALING WITH PANIC A paddler might react unexpectedly and your first impression might not read the situation accurately. It is tempting to abandon someone who will not listen to advice, but perhaps consider the bigger picture.

Individuals can diminish stress or panic, so you cannot be sure what you are up against. What is happening on the inside might be tricky to read, so work out a plan that could be best for both of you and initiate this in a decisive and assertive manner.

Calm the paddler down if he or she is panicking and cannot remount.

Make your intention clear as to what you plan to do to get him or her to safety, talking the paddler through the process. Remain calm, because shouting or getting angry can only lead to further difficulty.

48 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

a rescue from a safe platform. It also allows the paddler to swim the short distance away from his or her craft and come across to you for assistance.

#6 MAKING COMPROMISES Rescuing someone can compromise your situation. Take into account that the person you are assisting might not have the appropriate safety kit.

Perhaps he or she is using a tie down strap as a boat leash, which does not untie.You can only read and respond to the situation as best you can.

KEVIN BRUNETTE

If you cannot promptly provide assistance, call the rescue service to undertake the task, the NSRI (national sea rescue institute). They have the relevant expertise and equipment. Someone responding to an offshore incident on a double surfski or in a three meter rubber duck equipped with a 15 horse power motor simply attracts more trouble.

#5 RESCUER GETTING INTO TROUBLE Be wary of a rescue situation, because you don’t want to end up in the same predicament as the individual you are assisting. Rather have only one person in distress than two or even more. It significantly compounds the issue if you jeopardise your safety.

In rough conditions, unless it is a remount and you can provide immediate assistance, keep a safe distance from the individual in distress. This allows you to initiate

Kevin is an established surfski paddler, having completed three Cape Point Challenges. He is motivated by technique and boat speed, and can often seen on the water perfecting his stroke or at the gym improving his fitness. He is also a keen hiker and mountain biker.

Kevin has authored and published a number of books of surfski.

Ponta do Ouro

Orange River Mouth

Tugela River Mouth

Port St Johns Dassen Island Cape Agulhas

SALDANHA PORT CONTROL Tel: 022 714 1726 Stn. 24 Lambert’s Bay – 060 960 3027 Stn. 04 Mykonos – 082 990 5966 Stn. 34 Yzerfontein – 082 990 5974

CAPE TOWN PORT CONTROL Tel: 021 449 3500 Stn. 18 Melkbosstrand – 082 990 5958 Stn. 03 Table Bay – 082 990 5963

Seal Point

Great Fish River Mouth

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Tel: 021 938 3300 NSRI HQ: 021 434 4011 MOSSEL BAY PORT CONTROL Tel: 044 604 6271 Stn. 33 Witsand – 082 990 5957 Stn. 31 Still Bay – 082 990 5978 Stn. 15 Mossel Bay – 082 990 5954 Stn. 23 Wilderness – 082 990 5955 Stn. 12 Knysna – 082 990 5956

EAST LONDON PORT CONTROL Tel: 043 700 2100 Stn. 07 East London – 082 990 5972 Stn. 28 Port St Johns – 082 550 5430

DURBAN PORT CONTROL Tel: 031 361 8567 Stn. 32 Port Edward – 082 990 5951 Stn. 20 Shelly Beach – 082 990 5950 Stn. 05 Durban – 082 990 5948

Stn. 14 Plettenberg Bay – 082 990 5975

RICHARDS BAY PORT CONTROL Tel: 035 753 1991

Stn. 10 Simon’s Town – 082 990 5965

P.E. PORT CONTROL Tel: 041 507 1911

INLAND DAMS AND LAKES

Stn. 16 Strandfontein – 082 990 6753

Stn. 36 Oyster Bay – 082 990 5968

Stn. 22 Vaal Dam – 083 626 5128

Stn. 09 Gordon’s Bay – 072 448 8482

Stn. 21 St Francis Bay – 082 990 5969

Stn. 27 Victoria Lake – 060 991 9301

Stn. 17 Hermanus – 082 990 5967

Stn. 37 Jeffreys Bay – 079 916 0390

Stn. 25 Hartbeespoort Dam – 082 990 5961

Stn. 29 Air Sea Rescue – 082 990 5980

Stn. 06 Port Elizabeth – 082 990 0828

Stn. 35 Witbank Dam – 060 962 2620

Stn. 30 Agulhas – 082 990 5952

Stn. 11 Port Alfred – 082 990 5971

Stn. 38 Theewaterskloof – 072 446 6344

Stn. 02 Bakoven – 082 990 5962 Stn. 08 Hout Bay – 082 990 5964 Stn. 26 Kommetjie – 082 990 5979

Stn. 19 Richards Bay – 082 990 5949

CRAIG LAMBINON: 082 380 3800 (Communications)

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 49 You can download a digital version of these emergency numbers from our website: http://www.nsri.org.za/emergency-numbers/

IMAGE Jean Tresfon 50 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

OPINION

Are You Tripping?

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 51

Imagine a boxer who never spars with a training partner.

He skips rope and punches a punch bag to prepare for fights. The only time he ever gets to learn and experience fighting, is in an actual fight. Imagine a rugby team that runs around the field for fitness. They stand in a circle and pass the ball to each other to practice ball skills. The only opportunity they ever get to learn to play rugby, is by playing matches. Or, perhaps more relevant, imagine a slalom paddler who only practices gates on flatwater. Her only experience of paddling through gates in a rapid is when doing slalom races.

This sounds ridiculous, right?

The funny thing is that this is exactly how many paddlers approach their river racing.

Too many paddlers only ever see rapids when they do river races. All of their training is done on flatwater.

I know this because over the years I have been a spectator at many races where I’ve seen paddlers take wrong lines and brace through rapids without really knowing what they’re doing. I know this because I’ve been there myself a long time ago, doing river races with very little experience, thinking that I know what I’m doing because I didn’t swim. Finally, I know this because at the last few races I did, I ended up in front of paddlers who were much fitter than me, simply because they lost valuable time swimming through 52 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

rapids where I didn’t.

It is simply not possible to learn much about rapids when racing through them.You have a split second to choose a line, and often the decision is to just follow someone else’s line without even knowing if the other paddler knows what he is doing. Then, you hope for the best, paddling and bracing and cranking the rudder to try stick to the line. Often this leads to swimming and/or breaking a boat, and even when you make it through safely, all you have learned is how to perfect your brace.

finding the fastest, safest routes on that river, instead of improving your general knowledge of rapids.

If you don’t know any experienced paddlers, consider doing a course with a coach who specialises in river skills. Be honest with yourself and the coach about your actual skill level. I’ve seen too many paddlers doing courses and learning nothing, because they came to the course with the ego of ‘I know what I’m doing, because I’ve done Dusi / Fish etc’.

Learn proper boat skills and paddle To learn the nuances strokes. Learn how to edge

of rapids, you need to spend time in them. Relaxed time where

your focus is on understanding, not racing.You need to run rapids over and over to try different lines.

Instead of just paddling straight through a rapid, you need to play in it. Catch eddies, do ferry glides.

Learn what the shape of every wave means. Learn how to differentiate between ugly pour-overs and safe drops. Learn how to interpret the lines on the surface of the water.

Learn what happens when your boat is deflected on an eddy fence, and how to react when your paddle blade slices through turbulent water.

your boat to use the current. Learn how to steer your boat without a rudder; one day, your rudder will bend or your rudder cable will snap. Learn safe bracing techniques and learn how to do bow rudders, sweep strokes and draw strokes.

Broaden your scope by paddling different kinds of boats. Use super

stable boats in rapids to really focus on the river, instead of focusing on keeping balance. Play canoe polo to help you learn better boat control and the effective use of different paddle strokes.

THE LIST GOES ON, The best way to learn BUT THE POINT IS, these things is to MAKE TIME TO LEARN trip rivers, preferably DIFFERENT SKILLS with experienced THAT YOU CAN paddlers who are willing to share their USE ON A RIVER. knowledge. Take your time; GET YOUR FITNESS TRAINING IN ON it is not a race. Tripping does not have to be on the river that you FLAT WATER, BUT TRIP intend to race on. In fact, try not RIVERS TO LEARN to spend all your time on the river ABOUT RAPIDS. that you intend to race on, because inevitably your focus will be on

Celliers Kruger – Writer of paddling books; designer and manufacturer of some of the most innovative kayaks on the market; expedition paddler with descents on 4 continents; veteran of races like Dusi, Fish and Berg; freestyle kayaker representing South Africa at World Championships; safety kayaker and raft guide on various rivers in Africa and Europe; ex-competitor 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.

CELLIERS KRUGER THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 53

THE STANFORD RIVER FESTIVAL

IMAGE Sonja Bohnsack IMAGES Stanford Tourism

The Stanford River Festival has come and gone! It was lovely to see the river come alive with paddle craft of all shapes and sizes. Come to think of it the paddlers were all shapes and sizes too!

A huge amount of work happens in preparation for the festival and in the background during the festival.

There is a whole lot of preparation, hard work and good old fashioned generosity that goes in to making it all happen!

Top of the list of thank you notes is to the paddlers who joined in at the Friday evening cruise, Saturday for the serious racing or Sunday for the fun paddle.You are what made the river come alive. Thank you for taking the time to be part of the event and to those that travelled far thank-you for the special effort to get here. We appreciated your company!

To the team from the WCCU Rene for helping with the entries and Fanie and Janine for handling 54 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

the timing. The race, quite literally would not happen without you.

sound system and the podium for prizegiving. The Overstrand Municipality came out in force during the week to do a special cleaning up and cut of the grass.

We mention the Grootbos Foundation often. That is because they are a such a key part of The Stanford River everything that the Festival profit Club manages to goes to Grootbos do. Thank-you for “Rock the Boat” your financial and development program logistical support for disadvantage kids throughout the in the community. It course of the year. help funded their In particular for trip to the SA Sprints help at the festival Championships held at thank-you to the Roodeplaatdam, 6-8 volunteers for the April 2018. Grootbos thankless taks of Foundation fund marshalling traffic.

Stanford Canoe Club’s

We are most grateful to all the Neighbours in the vicinity of the water’s edge who put up with our coming and going for the weekend.

The Little River Cottage school ran a face painting stall and generously donated all profit from this.

Stanford Tourism are central to the River development project.

Coffee Corner Festival functioning took on the task with special deeply of looking after food and drink. felt thanks to Phillippa Murray for Organising vendors and quenching endless support. the parched throats of thirsty paddlers. Thanks Steve Cope and The NSRI kept us safe on the water.

TEAM! Great to see the guys out in their Die Bron energised us with their

kit. To CMC – Critical Medical Care

– for on land medical support and to Dr. Charles Henegan for standing by to assist.

Thank you to the marshalls on the water for the different sections John Gnodde, Dave Abbott, John Martin and John Finch. Thank you also, to the power boaters [KRAB] for bearing with us for the weekend.

Many thanks for ongoing support from the Klein River Estuary Forum.

We got some great photos from all who volunteered to be out with their cameras. They will be put to good use, thank you.

Last but certainly not least to Felix Unite and Escape Gear for donating prizes and the generous donation of raffle items form Andries de Villiers from Beloftebos, Alex and Tabby at Graze Slow Food Cafe, the Rotary, Chris Wolf and Foxglove Farm.

HERE’S TO STANFORD RIVER FESTIVAL 2019!

RODGER DUFFETT THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 55

PRODUCT REVIEW Thule Dock Grip The first thing that struck me when I took my new DockGrips out the box was – oh good these are a lot wider than the old set; what a relief. Before they hit the South African market there were only two options and both had quite narrow contact points between them and your boat if you ask me. The next great thing is that Thule has changed the thin rubber pads to a much thicker celled rubber pads again I felt better about trying them out.

Yes they look fantastic and they can be assembled in less than 15 minutes but that is what we have come to expect from Thule so let me get straight to the brilliant part. They are quickly adjustable depending in the hull shape of your ski/ canoe and that is the aspect that we really admired. For starters they can be turned around to give one a very flat V shape – ideal for SUPS as the cradles are much wider and softer than a standard roof rack dramatically reducing the possibility of pressure dings. If one turns the cradles around and puts the securing pin on the outside of the rack you have two options from a shallow V for flatter boats and a deep V for narrower boats. The beauty of it is that it can be done at the push of a button on the side of the cradle.

There is no need for allen keys or screwdrivers after the initial set up of your DockGrips.

Here is why I think that they are so good. I normally paddle a Zeplin on Saturdays and with the new adjustments on Thule’s DockGrips the front cradles can be set on the deeper V option for the Zeplin’s nose but on the shallow V at the back to cater for the Zeplin’s flat area under the seat of the boat in order to ensure a snug fit. On the other hand all four cradles can be set in the deep V position for the Foxbat or V10 double it is that versatile.

The one thing we have noticed already is that the new pads on the DockGrip do grip. It is best to place your boat straight in to them rather than hope to slide your 56 THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA

boat in from the back of the car.

How do they behave in the wind you ask? We will let you know. This month we are off to SA Marathon Champs, The Pink Lady and hopefully squeeze in one or two surfski races around the Peninsula so at the end of this month they would have done just over 1800km of boat ferrying. Look out for our long term report.

What’s in the box.: • 4 DockGrip cradles.

• Easy to follow instructions • 1 set of Thule tiedowns with the rubber covers • 2 sets of rope and hooks in order to secure the front and back of your boat while in transit.

Retailing for R2999

To find out more, click here: www.thule.com/en/za

A versatile, horizontal kayak carrier with large cushioned, flexible pads that conform to a large range of hull shapes as well as SUPs. Features • Can carry a variety of hull shapes as well as SUPs with two independent pivoting saddles with anglesetting lever • Protects the hull with large, flexible, cushioned pads • Easily secure the kayak or SUP using the center load straps with car-protective buckle bumpers • Including T-track attachment • Accommodates kayaks and SUPs up to 90 cm wide and 40 kg

THEPADDLEMAG.CO.ZA 57

Hearty Winter Soup

SOUPED UP

TIME About 1 hour MAKES 5 servings

INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot 1 onion 5 carrots 5 celery stalks can of chickpeas 3 cloves garlic 1 large sweet potato can of diced tomatoes can of crushed tomatoes 2 cups water bunch of baby kale A few fresh sage leaves 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. paprika Salt and ground black pepper

Turn to medium heat.

3. SautĂŠ the shallot, onion, carrots, celery stalks, and chickpeas together until the vegetables have softened and the onions have turned translucent, about 10 minutes. In the last few minutes, mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pot.

4. Wash and peel the sweet potato. Slice the sweet potato into square, half inch cubes and add them to the pot.

5. Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, water, baby kale, and all the spices to the pot. Stir to incorporate, and add salt and pepper to taste.

INSTRUCTIONS

6. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a slight gap for steam to escape. Let cook for at least 30-40 minutes or until sweet potatoes have softened, checking and stirring occasionally. If the soup begins to look dry, add a little more water.You can cook for longer to increase the flavor. Just make sure to stir the soup occasionally and check to make sure it isn’t becoming dry.

1. Wash and dice your shallot, onion, carrots, and celery stalks.

7. Serve up a bowl of delicious, hearty, cold weather goodness.

2. Add olive oil to the bottom of a large 8 quart pot.

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THEBASILANDCINNAMONSAGAS.COM

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Chunky Chicken Soup

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INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil 6 cloves of garlic, minced 1 yellow onion, diced 2 large carrots, thinly sliced 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger 1 tablespoon fresh grated turmeric (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric) 6 cups low sodium chicken broth 500g boneless skinless chicken breast 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme, stems removed ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup couscous 2/3 cup frozen peas

bottom. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

4. Once chicken is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cutting board to shred with two forks. Add chicken back to pot then stir in frozen peas. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

AMBITIOUSKITCHEN.COM

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Place a large dutch oven or pot over medium high heat and add in oil. Once oil is hot, add in garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for a few minutes until onion becomes translucent.

2. Next add in grated ginger and grated turmeric.

Saute for 30 seconds to let the spices cook a bit, then add in chicken broth, chicken breast, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.

3. Bring soup to a boil, then stir in couscous.

You’ll want the chicken to be covered by the broth so make sure you stir them down to the

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IMAGE Lisa de Speville

CONTACTS Chairperson: Herman Vogel 076 082 2566 Secretary: Lisa de Speville, 082 936 2509 Safety officer: Hugh du Preez Dev coach: Herman Vogel Publicity manager: Christo Prinsloo

Located on the Vaal River, we have the best of flatwater and river paddling on our doorstep. Our clubhouse is located just upstream of a weir, giving us kilometres of flatwater, complete with islands, weeping willows and riverine fauna and flora. Spot goliath and grey herons from your kayak and listen for calls of the fish eagles while you paddle. From the clubhouse, heading downstream, is a lovely stretch of whitewater kayaking that we call ‘Top Section’, which takes you into town to convenient takeout spots.

Our spectator-friendly canoe polo field sees regular action with games twice a week in the evenings. A group of teenagers who play canoe polo regularly help to bring down the average of the old stalwarts.

Located close to the town of Parys, the club is convenient to access. Our property has expansive, lush lawns, shade from large trees and braai facilities.

Enjoy mingling at our regular month-end social braais.

We have an established coaching infrastructure for beginner children and adults as well as competitive junior paddlers.

WHERE IS THE CLUB SITUATED? Where is the club situated. Parys, Free State (120km from Johannesburg and 50km from Potchefstroom and Sasolburg).

WHEN IS THE TIME TRIAL? Tuesday evenings at 17h00. Arrive in time to be on the water and ready to start at 17h00 sharp.You can paddle as many laps of our 4km route as you wish (usually 1 or 2; some do 3).

Over the winter months (from April), time trial starts at 16h30.You have enough time for one or two laps before it gets dark.

DOES THE CLUB HAVE CANOES / SKIS FOR THE BEGINNERS TO TRY? We have a fleet of Epic V7 surfskis for beginners. These are ideal for teens and adults. We have guppys for children.

EXTRAS We cater for recreational and competitive paddlers with an interest in flatwater, downriver paddling, whitewater kayaking and canoe polo. We offer proficiency sessions for children, teens and adults who are learning to paddle. We also have a large group of development paddlers from a local school, who train regularly at the club. We hosted a GCU marathon event in May 2018. We are again organising a ‘Treasure Paddle’ for World Orienteering Day on 26 May 2018 and we look forward to presenting our Two-Day Parys Vaal Marathon in October 2018.

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There and Back Challenge April 2018

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Freedom Paddle April 2018

IMAGES Cape Town Sports Photography

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Bay Union King of the Bay May 2018

IMAGES Lynne Hauptfleisch

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Let’s Race Events to keep you busy

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EASTERN CAPE DATE

RACE

DETAILS

CONTACT

JUNE SAT 2 - SUN 3

ECCU Marathon Champs

St Francis Bay

dvanwyk231@gmail.com

FRI 15 SUN 17

SA MARATHON CHAMPS

St Francis Bay

info@eccu.co.za

Harbour to Heads Knysna Festival Canoe Polo

Knysna, 22km Knysna

dvanwyk231@gmail.com

JULY SUN 8 SAT 14 SUN 15 SUN 22 SUN 22 SUN 29 AUGUST SUN 5 SUN 19 SAT 25 SEPTEMBER SUN 2 SAT 2 SUN 23 SUN 30 OCTOBER FRI 6 - SAT 6 SUN 14 FRI 19 THU 25

dvanwyk231@gmail.com

Border Winter Series 1 Pam Golding Winter Challenge St Francis Canal, 10 and 20km Border Winter Series 2

secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

Border Winter Series 3 Border Winter Series 4 Kowie Intercity Challenge

secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

Border Winter Series Pre Fish

secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

info@stfrancispaddlingclub.co.za secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

Gamtoos Challenge

Jeffry’s Bay, 10 or 20km

Hansa Fish Marathon 2018 John Woods Challenge Border Summer Series Border Summer Series

Fish River, Craddock, 84km secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za secretary@bordercanoeclub.co.za

GAUTENG DATE JUNE SAT 2 - SUN 3 SUN 10 SAT 30 SUN 1 JUL JULY SUN 8 SUN 29

RACE GCU Marathon Champs and Schools League Race 7 Sprints at Roodeplaat 3 JCC Vaal Marathon

DETAILS

CONTACT

ERK

info@gcu.co.za

Roodeplaat

info@gcu.co.za Rhys Herbert 082 561 6539

Sprints at Roodeplaat 4 Schools League Race 8

info@gcu.co.za info@gcu.co.za

Capturing the World in Motion John Hishin +27 82 504 5702 john@capetownsportphotography.co.za

Dry bag Mat to change on Wet bag for all your wet gear hello@bottomlinesa.co.za

DATE AUGUST SAT 4 SAT 18 SUN 19 SUN 26 SEPTEMBER SUN 2 SUN 9

RACE Centurion 9 Miler SAMC Watuni Klip Sprints at Roodeplaat 5 FLCC Klip

DETAILS

CONTACT garthgerdi@gmail.com mariettezandbergh@gmail.com

Ixoxo Manzi to Caravan Park

VLC Klip Sprints at Roodeplaat 6

info@gcu.co.za dennis@seacob.co.za

info@gcu.co.za

SAT 15 SUN 16

LIEBENBERGSVLEI Reitz to Tweeling, CANOE Free State, 70km MARATHON

SAT 22 SUN 23 SAT 29 OCTOBER SAT 13 SAT 20 SUN 21 SAT 27

Lowveld Croc

www.facebook.com/ Liebenbergsvlei/

ERK Nite Race Schools League Race 10 Likkewaan 2 Day Race

Dabs Parys

DABS 24 hour Enduro

Dabs

K W A - Z U L U N ATA L DATE JUNE SUN 10 SUN 17 SUN 24 SAT 30 or SUN 1 JUL JULY SAT 7 - SUN 8 SUN 8 SUN 15 SAT 21 SUN 8 SUN 29 AUGUST THU 9 SUN 12 SAT 18 / SUN 19 THU 23 SAT 25 SAT 25 SUN 26 TUE 28

RACE Surfski Series 6 Surfski Series 7 Surfski Series 8 Surfski Series 9

Final Sprint Trial for Senior World Champs Point Water Sport Ski Race 1 Point Water Sport Ski Race 2 Share-List Property Season Opener Point Water Sport Ski Race 3 Point Water Sport Ski Race 4 Tugela 20’s

DETAILS

CONTACT

Pirates - Umhlanga- Pirates 5 Beaches Scottburgh to Brighton Durban Downwind

kncuad@sai.co.za DUC, 9am, 6 or 12km DUC, 9am, 6 or 12km Upper Umgeni, 16km DUC, 9am, 6 or 12km DUC, 9am, 6 or 12km Winterton / Bergville

Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge Pirates SLC Lance Park Memorial NCC Camps Drift, 16km Capitol Caterers Schools Polo Shongweni Shaka Challenge ZKC Clubhous, Meerensee, Richards Bay Alex Caruth 2 Upper Umgeni, 16km Duncan Scotney PYC, 16km

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NCC 033 342 1528

mike.jackson@lake-agri.co.za stella.canoe.club@gmail.com

DATE SEPTEMBER SAT 1 SAT 1 or SUN 2 SUN 2 THU 13 SAT 15 or SUN 16 SAT 15 SUN 16 SAT 22 or SUN 23 SUN 23 SAT 29 OCTOBER SAT 13 SAT 13 or SUN 14 SAT 13 or SUN 14 SUN 14 SAT 20 SAT 20 or SUN 21 SAT 20 SUN 21 WED 24 SUN 28 SUN 28

RACE

DETAILS

Capitol Caterers Schools Polo Da’Real Downwind Series Race 1 Supa Quick Jock Claasens Eric’s Canoe Shop Race Da’Real Downwind Series Race 2 Capitol Caterers Schools flat water slalom Supa-Quick Fezela Classic Da’Real Downwind Series Race 3 Nobby Nel Memorial NCC Boat Auction

Varsity/Shongweni Pirates - Umdloti, 22km

Capitol Caterers Schools 10 Lap Enduro Da’Real Downwind Series Race 4 SA Canoe Polo Trials

Camps Drift

Table Mountain Descent

Table Mountain to Nagle Dam, 20km Ricahards Bay to Mtunzini, 35km Pirates to Tinley, 30 or 50km

Mouth to Mounth Downwind Ski Race Da’Real Downwind Series Race 5 Dam to Dam 2-man Relay K1 and K2 Da’Real Rbay - Pirates Downwind Surfski Challenge 6 Umpetha Challenge

Upper Umngeni, 18km KCC at Blue Lagoon, 16km Pirates - Umdloti, 22km

CONTACT

fezela canoe club

TWC, 16km Camps Drift to Moto-X wier Pirates - Umdloti, 22km Upper Umgeni, 21km Camps Drift, PMB, 9am

Pirates - WEstbrook or Toti, 30km

Albert Falls, 25km (K1) or 30km (K2) Richards Bay to Pirates, 162km Camps Drift to Bishopstowe Hall, 18km

WESTERN CAPE DATE JUNE SAT 2 SAT 9 SAT 23 SUN 24 SAT 30 JULY SAT 7 WED 11 SAT 14 SAT 21

RACE

DETAILS

CONTACT

Gouda - Bridgetown K1 Herman - Gouda K1 Pink Lady Drakenstein Marathon - MCCU K1 Champs Elanie - Misverstand Soetdraai

9am, 30km Berg River, 9am, 32km Berg River, 53km

secretary@peninsula-canoe.org.za

9am, 30km

reneboehm@mweb.co.za

Wellington to Herman Berg River Marathon

9am, 30km Berg River, 240km

petervandermerwe@vodamail.co.za

Breede Winter Series

Ossdrifbrug, Worcester

jon.g.adams1@gmail.com

chairman@centurycitycanoeclub.co.za

chrisjanc@gmail.com

chairman@centurycitycanoeclub.co.za

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DATE

RACE

DETAILS

CONTACT

SUN 22 WED 24 SAT 28 SUN 29 AUGUST SAT 4 THU 9

Nekkies Eilande K2 10km K2 Pen Olifants Marathon K1

10am, 27km PCC Olifants River, 10am, 36km

petervandermerwe@vodamail.co.za

Robertson to Bonnievale K2 Wyzersdrift K2

secretary@peninsula-canoe.org.za

SAT 11 SAT 18 SUN 19 SAT 15 SUN 26 SEPTEMBER SAT 1 SAT 15 MON 24 OCTOBER SUN 14

Elandia to Robertson Drew to Swellendam K2 Bontebok K2 Breede River Marathon

10am, 28km Wyzerdrift bridge, Breede River, 10am, 20km 10am, 27km Breede River Breede River Breede River, 71.5km

SAT 20 SUN 21 SAT 27 SUN 28

Franschoek to Paarl K1 Goude to Bridgetown Eerste River Heritage Day K1 Surf Ski 1 - Three Beaches Ski Race Junior Triple Series 1 Surf Ski Race 2 Junior Triple Series 2 Surf Ski 3

DATE

SEP 3 - 4 SEP 6 - 9 OCT 13 - 16

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richarda@akaciamedical.co.za

chrisjanc@gmail.com chairman@centurycitycanoeclub.co.za

richarda@akaciamedical.co.za chrisjanc@gmail.com richarda@akaciamedical.co.za

Paarl, 9am, 20km Eerste Rivier

Cape Point Qualifier Langebaan

I N T E R N AT I O N A L JUN 25 - 30 JUL 28 - 29 AUG 1 - 5 AUG 22 - 26

secretary@peninsula-canoe.org.za

RACE

Mauritius Ocean Classic World Series, Mauritius ICF Junior and u23 Sprint World Champs, Bulgaria

ICF Canoe Polo World Champs, Welland ICF Senior Sprint World Champs and PARA Champs, Portugal ICF Masters Marathon World Cup, Portugal ICF World Marathon Champs, Portugal Youth Olympic Games

DETAILS dhenry.jphboathouse@intnet.mu

Buenos Aires, Argentina

VIEW FROM THE BACK OF THE BOAT

On the 2nd June we celebrate Paddle for the Planet internationally. It is on this day that paddlers through out the world join their voices to raise concern and awareness about the state of our waterways. We already have incredible icons in this struggle in the form of Lewis Pugh and more recently people like Braam Malherbe and Wayne Robertson have joined in the endeavour to say look at the state of our planet and do something about it. We also have astounding organisations in the form of Paddle for the Planet and Duzi – Umgeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) doing their best to fund and actively clean the Dusi River.

Despite all this hard work one of the photos we put in the mag is of a paddler in this year’s Dusi paddling past mountains of plastic. The point of the photo is to say they cannot do it alone. It takes each one of us to do something if we are going to fight the tide of plastic.

Last Friday night I went off to the Cape Town Aquarium to listen to Jean Tresfon – Marine Conservation Photographer talk about the state of our coastline around Cape Town. The photos of the plumes of sewage going in to the sea were disgusting to say in the least. Then on Sunday we took advantage of the good weather to paddle around Cape Point Nature Reserve and were alarmed to suddenly find ourselves paddling in

layers of plastic wrappers about 1km out to sea. Where they came from is anyone guess. So we salute the Bamboo Warehouse Freedom Paddle race organisers’ initiative to have beach clean-ups in the run up to the race, not hand out plastic bags of goodies at registration and have social media clips to heighten the awareness – FANTASTIC effort! We do hope that other race organisers take note and this becomes the norm in the near future. The other initiative that we applaud is Kauai’s “Packaging – Do we really need it?” campaign.

It is not just about not using straws; the whole top is a waste.Yes it is inconvenient to not have a nice lid and straw. But the sooner you start doing it – the sooner you will get used to it.

On the 2nd of June please do something useful – pick up three pieces of rubbish before you paddle, Don’t buy bottled water, take your own bags when you go and do shopping, take your recycling to the recyclers before it gets added to the household rubbish. Our fun one at the moment is that we love good coffee and so we now take our travel mugs to our favourite take away coffee shops and ask them to use our mugs instead.Yes, we still get strange looks and on the odd occasion the barista has called the manager to find out if it is okay.

Education takes time and we are fine with that.

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IMAGE Dale Staples