Superb photos thanks to Natali Coetzee – NEW VOICE PHOTOGRAPHY who kindly made them available for ALL to enjoy – HERE!!!
Race Results can be found HERE!
The JCC UPPER KLIP race, affectionately named after the KING of the KLIP, took place on Heritage Day 24 September 2014……and was almost 40kms….despite dire predictions that it would be longer – it was definitely QUITE long enough on a slow winter level sluggish Klip River after the dry winter season. All paddlers were well and truly tired and sore at the end!
At least we know day 1 Fish WILL be easier!
The river water levels had obviously dropped very recently – after extremely hot temperatures for past few weeks reaching over 30 degrees, and with it being spring and the farmers busy planting, needing to pump water out of the river as we await the rainy season……the wet water mud marks on the banks were proof that the water level had dropped at least one foot very recently.
As a result of the drop in water level, the river was extremely low in patches, scraping over rocks and mudbanks from time to time, while the logs across the river in the dead forest section after Morgans corner were previously below the water level, they caused blockages at the lower level, forcing portages or humping over them….
The newly opened up UPPER section above the Pipes was certainly a fun and exciting stretch. With assistance from environmental support groups such as Esor, Gavin Steyl and the JCC river tree clearing crews including Franz Fischer with his Deutsche Tecknologie, they managed to dredge / clear parts of the first waterfall resulting in a shootable rapid, with no suck back, and a channel through another waterfall although at the low water levels most K2’s got stuck keeping the marshall on duty busy!
The river section was most suitable to a K1 being narrow windy and with tight tree sneaks and it was surprising that both the K3’s managed to finish without breaking their boats!
A few boats did withdraw as a result of damage though leaving less than 50 boats finishing the entire race.
Alex Roberts (DABS) managed to pip Loveday Zondi (SOW) almost at the post, sprinting the last 500m to push in front, finishing in a time 2:51, with Zondi crossing the finish line only 2 seconds later.
Nkosi Mzolo (SOW) was 3rd in 3:02, while the first Sub Veteran was Shaun Maphanga (FLCC) in 4th, some 5 minutes later.
Mzwenkosi Thinta (SOW) was the first Under 23 finisher in 8th overall in 3:15, followed by the first Veteran finisher, Keith Flemmer (DABS) barely a second later in 9th.
The honour of being the winning K2 belongs to Uwe Schmidthaus, local Henley resident, partnered with Malcolm Percival, both members at VLC, finishing in 3:16.
It is sad to report that the usually highly successful Anya Botes, Under 16 school girl, multiple Berg finisher, and frequently the winning lady at river races, had an unpleasant swim, sustained boat damage was forced to withdraw, and there were no other brave ladies taking on this challenge. Sean and Sarah Evans (DABS) were the 4th K2 and the 1st Mixed Double Crew finishing comfortably in 3:31.
Vallon Kuperferberg (ERK) recovered from his hangover in time to take the Sub Master category in 3:45, as the 19th K1, and 26th overall but doesn’t remember anything about the weaving tree forest or getting stuck, perhaps thats the best way to do the races!
Mark Hall and Keith Beeston (JCC) finished as first Sub Grand masters in 3:47, as the 8th K2, while fellow club colleagues Anthony Phelp and Andre van der Merwe were the Grand Master top finishers in 3:53, 11th K2. Alex Masina and Peter Chissano from JCC were the youngest team finishing as Under 18 in 40th place aoverall, and a time of 4:18.
The first K3 managed to scrape, full of water, across the finish line in 4:26, Bertie Baard, Jennie Dallas and Mark Jaspan (FLCC/FLCC/DABS) who was desperate enough for points, training and experience, to agree to team up!
The food making caravan must have had a boom morning as everyone was starving after the long hard tough, but very interesting, very busy challenge!
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
0828578571