FEEDBACK – DABS 4 HOUR ENDURO / SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER – HUTTON HYDE PARK BP
It was a gloriously hot summer day at Emmarentia Dam when Dabulamanzi hosted the 4 hour Enduro training event – to provide opportunity for paddlers to grow on their 80km Hansa Fish fitness, towards the 3 day 120 km FNB Dusi event in February – with the tough hard 66km slog of the Vaal River Canoe Marathon in mid November -being the SA K2 river Championships!
There were some 136 paddlers who participated in the event thanks to the sponsorships and support from Hutton Hyde Park BP, Thule Woodmead and Canoe Concepts who provided prizes or refreshments to add to the day’s enjoyment.
The top finishing team who completed 51 laps in the 4 hours was Wayne Jacobs, Dave Hamilton-Brown, Luke Symons, and Piers Cruikshanks (Members of Dabs and Eurosteel) while the 2nd finishing team also managed 51 laps, and consisted of Alex Roberts, Chris Couve, Rob Crichton and Alastair Jackson – also Dabs members.
The third finishing team with 50 laps was Michael Stewart, Liam Stewart, Nicholas Weeks and John Booth from EPO Rest Kayak (ERK) however, a 4th team also finished with 50 laps and was a combination of Dabs and Soweto being Mark Garden, Sipho Qoko, Nkosi Mzolo and Thando Ngamlana.
The 1st ladies team – The Water Nymphs were Sara’s and Anna’s – Sara Robinson, Sara Evans, Anna Clifford Arwidi and Antje Manfroni who finished 45 laps in the 4 hours, while the Aunties incorporated, clocked 43 laps, and consisted of Holly Spencer, Alexis Rich, Lisa Currell and Janet Bartlet. The 3rd ladies team – Chicks One, with Shelley Cruickshanks, Kate Stubbs, Renee wright and Michelle Haskins finished 37 laps.
The winning juniors finished 45 laps, Team Phenominal Paddlers included the Scarc youth of Xolisa Gxobole, Zanenhlahla Mbala, Sinenhlanhla Ludidi, and Onke Magadla with The Leftovers team taking 2nd Junior position representing St Davids Marist, Pete Tumiel, Theo Dryer, Josh Davies and Nicholas Erwee – real juniors – who managed 38 laps – well done youngsters!
Another junior team from St Davids Marist clocked up 37 laps – The Marist Marines were March Strauss, Luca Govetto, Cameron Grossman and Connor Davies !
The First Mixed Team of 3 were the Adenture Racers who completed 39 laps – paddlers were Murray Crichton, Michelle van Reenen and Jason Gradwell.
Cornelis Human (Dabs) must be determined to improve his fitness and he was the first finisher of the individual 4 hour event finishing 40 laps on his own……..
There were a few paddlers who opted for the 2 hour event and the first team to finish, were also youngsters from SCARC – VIPS’s……with Wonkama Makhasi, Benjamin Mntonitshi, and Bambo Fanteni – a 3 man team!
Well done to all – you are ALL a little bit fitter and stronger with better endurance and stamina than 29 October!!
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
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