GAUTENG MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPS
The Watuni Hi Performance Klip Race took place in perfect summer weather with everybody in good cheer, from the Henley on Klip Scout Hall, to Meyerton Danie Maclean Park on Saturday 13 September 2013.
The race doubled as the Gauteng Mixed Doubles champs who set off first bravely into war, paddling upstream to do a short around the tree portage, and enjoyed cheering the winning boats who were already heading downstream towards Henley’s Kidson Weir….. it was also a pleasure to see more lady paddlers including a K2 double and a K1 paddler apart from those paddling with male partners!
The paddlers were treated with Hi Performance giveaway caps at the start, and free drinks at the finish which on the hot summery day was a pleasurable treat.
The race was won by K1 Richard Cele (VIC) in 1:26, and the 2nd place finisher was the 1st Mixed Doubles winner, Shaun Maphanga with Monique Steven (FLCC) finishing in 1:27 as the first SV team as well, and the third podium position was claimed by Under 18 mixed doubles partnership of Siyabonga Tyiki with Anya Botes (SOW/CEN) in 1:28.
Mike Barry was 4th finishing boat as 1st SM in 1:29 (ERK), with Alex Masina (JCC) nearly half a minute later after taking a swim at the log across the river below Henley Weir – entirely the fault of a K2 who wedged there and blocked the line, so he did very well to catch up.
Michael Benci and Terence Vrugtman, white water paddlers (FLCC) were the first DOUBLE (not mixed although they are certainly mixed up) finishing 6th in 1:30.
The first K1 Sub veteran finisher was George Louw (Dabs) in 1:31 as 5th K1 and the first Under 23 finisher was Donald Moncho (FLCC) finishing 11th overall in 1:31. In the Veteran category, Douglas Jewson of the Fourways Review fame, (Dabs) finished top of his age group in 1:32 and 14h overall, K1 8.
The first K3 to cross the finish line did the race in 1:33 as the HANSA Gauteng representative with Melusi Nxumalo steering, Delamaine Du Toit – Brand Manager of Hansa SAB, and Samantha Boustred (FLCC) in 17th place overall. Spoon Mkhuzangwe (VIC) finished in 1;34 as the first Under 18 K1, in 22nd place overall, as the 13th K1.
Peter McBride and Simon Wilmott (DABS) finished as the first SGM age category in 1:40, 33rd overall, and the first Master finishers were Rodney Carpenter and David Ivy visiting from Nigeria, (ERK/JCC) in 1:43, and 40th boat overall although the K1 Master win belonged to Patrick Thomas (FLCC) in 1:45, K1 25, and 49th overall. The Sub Grant Master K1 finisher was Austen Gibbs (Dabs) in 1:46, as the 28th K1 in 52nd position overall.
Megan Hedderwick and Lindsay Hopkins (Dabs) were the ladies K2 finishers in 1;45, 47th overall, and 23rd K2, and Janet Bartlet (Dabs) was the K1 lady finisher in 1:48, K1 29, and 56th overall.
70 boats finished the river race which was made up of 36 K1, 31 K2 and only 2 K3’s.
Super race great fun, brave river marshalling and most enjoyable – thanks to Watuni and Hi Performance for a splendid day of excellent racing!
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
0828578571