NB / IMPORTANT REMINDER:
GCU SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTRIES CLOSE TODAY AT 6PM……
SEE DETAILS BELOW –
THE EVENT IS AT GERMISTON LAKE ON SATURDAY 6 MARCH 2021
THE EVENT ALSO INCLUDES:
THE GCU SCHOOL LEAGUE 1ST RACE OF 2021 – SPRINT RACE
It was an exciting wild weekend at the JCC 2 Day Klip River Race with huge water as the Klip filled to capacity after heavy hail and rain storms in Midvaal – posts in the news of ankle deep hail and flooding in the local hospital in Alberton!!
Most of the rapids certainly became easier – less technical / rocky ie Mine Rapid, Broken Weir, Caravan park – usually a high swim rate – flattened out – however in STRONG FLOW paddlers need strong paddle power and confident strokes to control their boat in the waves/current as we know…….however a previously unknown huge wave train from Saloojees partially tree blocked bridge won the battle of the day!! Double Drop became a monster of white water challenges!
Due to saturated ground, a tree leaned over the huge wave train after Saloojees bridge which bounced paddlers around, and required paddlers to get out of the strong current and into the eddy – resulting in many very sharp right turns into the eddy – and a high number of swims, while most boats washed down stream in the current, and had to be chased / retrieved – a couple hooked on the one branch left in the high water, after paddlers / marshalls had broken/chopped all the overhanging branches.
Heineken provided 0% alcohol refreshing drinks for paddlers at the finish of the two day event and a few promotional prizes and despite many swims, paddlers enjoyed the big water.
Lessons to be learned from experiences are noted below!! PLEASE READ…..
WELL DONE TO ORGANISERS, ASSISTANTS, HELPERS, MARSHALLS AND ALL WHO RUSHED AROUND ASSISTING IN THE EXTREME CONDITIONS.
SPANS OF PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON FACEBOOK/GAUTENGCANOEUNION!!!!
WHATS NEXT?
DATES ON THE CALENDAR: GET READY !!
GAUTENG:
8 – 9 May – Gauteng Marathon Championships
11/12 September – Liebensbergvlei River Marathon
23 October – Lowveld Croc river race
27/28 November – VAAL river marathon
OTHER RACES CONFIRMED / IN SA
7 March – Ozzie Gladwin The Lighthouse race KZN
18 – 20 March – 70th Edition of the DUSI – MY LIFE DUSI!!!
1 April – One Day Dusi
8 / 9 October – Fish River Marathon
19-21 May – CSA Marathon Champs
Jennie Dallas
Paddlers Pen
082 857 857 1
EMAIL |