FEEDBACK – FLCC KLIP – HEIDELBERG BRIDGE TO CARAVAN PARK – 10 JULY 2016
Photos: Facebook/GautengCanoeUnion – check out the album
It was another lovely Highveld Winter day when some 60 paddlers gathered at Heidelberg Bridge to enjoy the +- 30km race to caravan park with a decent water level although it has dropped from the previous day already – the water level while good for Gauteng winter has been fluctuating up and down without dropping to muddy bony level.
Giant Kingfisher abounded for those who have time to look, and meerkat scrambled down the river banks while a Fish Eagle watched the racers with boredom…….not fishy looking enough! (Last photo!)
Daleside weir was more technical with the slightly lowered water level – previous day and week, there was a distinctive tongue in the drop- on the left, to avoid the stopper, but on race day while paddlers did keep left to avoid the force of the stopper wave, there was no tongue and the current pushed many paddlers into the eddy and the tree on the river bank causing some frustration. IT IS HOWEVER BEST TO SHOOT THE WEIR AS LEFT AS POSSIBLE as one paddler did get caught in the suckback when slightly more right than others and was held there for a while……head above water thanks to a GOOD BUOYANT PFD….and no harm done except damage to rudder. While looking to keep left on the drop, paddlers need a little speed, and once in the drop, right rudder and paddle firmly to keep from being shoved towards the bank.
Mine Rapid was bonier than the previous day but confident powerful paddling strokes kept paddlers on the left line and with the field better spread out, there was none of the usual carnage with them on top of each other and congesting the line.
The FLCC race is one of a series with lucky draw canoe prizes for those who do all 3 counting this one, and the next two to be hosted by FLCC thanks to TOPS SPAR.
Mpilo Zondi (LEM/KZN) won the race as 1st Under 18 in a time of 1 hour 56 minutes followed by local Under 18 top achiever Alex Masina (JCC) a minute later, with Siyabonga Tyiki as first Under 23 (SOW) in 2 hours – while the top finishing LADY was Holly Spencer (Dabs) in 2 hours 26 minutes, as the 20th K1. Other lady finishers include Sneziwe Gxobole and also Asanda Ndlovu (SOW) who finished in 2 hours 59 minutes and 3 hours 6 minutes respectively as 35th and 37th K1, in 2 hours 59 and 3 hours 6 minutes.
The first K2 was next with Robert Crichton and Alistair Jackson (DABS) in 2 hours 1 minute, while Alex Roberts (Dabs) was the first K1 Senior age category finisher in 2 hours 1 minute, followed by Kobus Filmalter – (WAT) First Veteran 2 minutes later.
The first K3 with Jonathan Hoch, Raoul Goosen (DABS) and Zonele Nzuza (SOW) finished 9th overall in 2 hours 9 minutes.
The first Sub Veteran – IS he really a sub veteran already!? Ryan Simonato (JCC) in 2 hours 10 minutes was followed by Gerhard Steyn (LOW) the first Sub Grand Master in 2 hours 11 minutes. His brother Meyer Steyn (DABS) finished as first Grand Master in 2 hours 14 minutes, some 39 seconds after the winning Master paddler Gavin Steyl (JCC).
The first finishing Mixed Double was Roger and Kate Stubbs (DABS) in 2 hours 15 minutes.
Zanenhlanhla Mbala (SOW) was the Under 16 top finisher in 2 hours 20 minutes, and the Sub Master team of Mark Hall, Martin Sly and Anthony Phelps (JCC) brought the second K3 through in 2 hours 22 minutes. The K1 Sub Master top finisher was Michael Stewart (ERK).
Under 14 Jaydon Hunt (FLO) crossed the finish line as the 23rd K1, in 2 hours 26 minutes.
It was another awesome day of good mileage and river training as paddlers build up their stamina towards the major events coming up on the calendar soon. Thanks to FLCC for providing the opportunity!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
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