FEEDBACK – VLC CAKE NOVICE RACE ON KLIP – FREEDOM DAY – 27 APRIL 2016
Another superbly pleasant Autumn day in Meyerton as paddlers gathered for the second race of the new season, hosted by Victoria Lake Canoe Club. The race started in Henley-on-Klip at the Makery Restaurant on the Twin Estates grounds, and with a noticeably increased water level due to storms in the East and South of Johannesburg yesterday, worked down river towards the Danie Maclean Park in Meyerton – a distance of some +- 15km.
A superb breakfast with coffee etc was available on sale for the seconds though a number of paddlers ate well before racing……..and a great atmosphere prevailed as the newer paddlers eagerly if a little nervously prepared for the first, or second river race ever. The race attracted 55 boats, including 23 K2 and 33 K1 besides sweeps and marshalls.
Paddlers were encouraged to double up with novices to assist them with gaining experience, familiarity on the river, and earning qualifying points for A grade status.
The winning boat who did not include any novices were Centurions Raymond Rorich who brought Shane Gouldie back from an early retirement to finish in 1 hour 2minutes, while Andre Zandbergh (Wat) finished as first K1 and 2nd overall, in 1:04, as first Sub Veteran and first Veteran finishers respectively……the 2nd Veteran was 3rd place finisher in 1:05, also from Watuni, Kobus Filmalter.
No lady boats participated in the race although there were a few mixed doubles.
NOW on to the important stuff of the day being the NOVICES…….and well done to Renier Kruger as first novice across the finish line with Mark Handley (VLC) in 1:06 followed 5 seconds later by Dabs’ Jason Brown with Alexis Rich junior Parktown girl, as the 2nd novice across the finish line and also first mixed double.
The FLCC paddlers- Shaun Maphanga and junior Matthew van der Merwe finished 11 seconds later bringing the youngest junior across the finish line.
Hardus Theunissen and Gunther Grune finished as the first Sub master in 1:06:53 in 8th place overall and 6th K2 (FLCC/CEN) – Warren Ziervogel was the first Sub Master K1 in 1:10.
Dylan Browne with father David (Dabs) finished 11th in 1:08, and Junior Jaydon Hunt (FLCC) was the Under 14 K1 winner at the race, in 1:09 as the 4th K1 finisher, followed by (JCC) Under 18 Ryan Ziervogel . Gordon Greaves (Dabs) was the 2nd Master 20th finishing boat in 1:10,although I havent found a 1st Master yet – hope this glitch in the system doesnt cause future problems with prizegivings!
On the other end of the age scale, Bobby Damalis with Reno Damalis (VLC) finished 24th overall as first Grand Master pair, followed closely by Carel van Biljon (DABS) 25th overall who was first Sub Grand master – in 1:13 with Frank Dabrowski finishing as the Great Grand master of the day in 1 hour 17 minutes, (Dabs) 14th K1, and 33rd overall position.
Leonard Geldenhuys and Moses Nghomane were the Under 23 winners in 1:15
Spot prizes including an H20 paddle were given away as lucky draws while the top 3 novice boats received special cakes at the cake race!
Awesome fun and super intro to rivers thanks VLC!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
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