FEEDBACK – FLCC KLIP RACE – SUNDAY 22 MAY 2016
It was another chilly very misty start to the day when paddlers found their way to Sportsground field for the start of the 20km river race on the lower Klip. Previous years have seen that field covered with thick layer of frost, and it warmed up to a super lovely day!
Photos are on facebook/Gautengcanoeunion and once again we apologise for poor quality in some situations with mist / sun / shadows…..and for missing quite a few paddlers near the back of the field due to photographer rushing around doing paddle swops and rescue! We did however try to cover from both right and left sides of the river and got some interesting shots – ie some paddlers disappeared into the hole at Pump House!
Thanks to FLCC for the opportunity to gain what should have been a relatively easy and not so cold point and with no boat breaks we hope all benefitted. Thanks also to the sponsors Kia Hyundai Fourways, Zebra Taxi’s for the shuttle, Tops Spar, Canoe Concepts for the giveaways and extra help!
70 paddlers at this great event on the Mighty Klip from Sportsground in Meyerton, to the Three Rivers intersection at Riverfront…… although 3 broken paddles in the first 2kms! Recommend paddlers have spares in the boat!!
The Klip River level rose significantly after last weekends steady rains throughout Gauteng as water reached the river and it only dropped in the past day or two nevertheless there were far less rocky patches ie at Sportsground and Graveyard than we will enjoy in the next few winter months!
The twisty turns and side currents were important lessons to master as well as the additional distance, and long flat sections – for those who plan to do their first Fish as they will need to master those skills!
Well done to the winners – first K1 Phineas Zulu (SOW), first K1 Herman Marais (Fish River CC) and Leo Kerkhoff previously ACD junior, now North Western University team member! Times 1h30 and 1h31.
VERY well done to 4 lady finishers – led by Morgan Ziervogel (JCC) in 1:49, with Mariette Zandbergh (WAT) in 1h58, Ayanda Chwayi with Sneziwe Gxobole (SOW) in 1h59, and Minnie Kretzschmar in 1h11 as GM…. while NWU Rita de Kock finished in 2h20!
The Mixed double winners were Paolo Magni and Lisa Currell (Dabs) in 1h40, and the other category winners are listed below, with Michael Stewart (ERK) as first SM in 1h30, followed by 1st Under 23 Mziwenkosi Thinta (SOW) in 1h31, while first Under 16 was 5th finisher, Sibubusiso Chway (SOW) 3 seconds after the first K2!
The first Master was Gavin Steyl and Bruce Banfield in K2s, (JCC/FLO) in 1h36, and the first ZUnder 18 was Liam Stewart (ERK) in 1h36. The first Grand Master was right behind him bringing in Chris Visser (Dabs) in 1h38 and the Great Grand master age category winner was Frank Dabrowski (Dabs) in 1h41, with the Sub Vet winners Cobus Wagner and Marlise Swanepoel (Dabs) finishing in 1h41 as 2nd Mixed Double……
Jaydon Hunt (FLCC) was the Under 14 winner, and the Veteran first finisher was Aidan de Vos (JCC) who complained about his numerous swims…….but seems to have done very well finishing in 2h03.
The next race on the mighty Klip takes place in two weeks time, hosted by Victoria Lake Canoe Club which will provide a long and a short race….the long race – a service for the Berg paddlers and we hope they will use the opportunity for extra mileage training, while the short race will do for those wanting to add to their river points for A grade qualification! It will cover the same section on Klip so those who have not yet mastered the confident paddling they need around the inside of the treacherous corners will have another chance to improve their skills and they wont feel as tired next time as the first time!
GOOD luck and enjoy!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
082 857 857 1