GCU NEWSLETTER 2 MARCH 2021

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GCU NEWSLETTER – 2 MARCH 2021  

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

PRE RACE BASICS TO REMEMBER:

•    PRE RACE BRIEFING:  Please note: It is compulsory for paddlers to listen to the pre race briefing.

o    Far too many paddlers were SURPRISED after exiting Saloojees bridge, to NOTE the tree in the fast flow and huge waves, leaning its branches over the river……

o    There were even paddlers who were aiming to go RIGHT at Saloojees as per previous races /trips in previous year, BUT THE PRE RACE BRIEFING CLEARLY STATED LEFT – STAY LEFT.

o    This adds potential danger to the paddlers and the organisers/marshalls on duty and it is the paddlers responsibility to listen to the briefing – pay attention and DO as instructed.

•    EQUIPMENT IN BOAT – BE PREPARED!!!

o    It is the paddlers responsibility to ensure that he has a spare paddle safely taped to his buoyancy in the back of his boat……as WE know paddles DO break on rivers.  It is not the Sweeps or marshalls job to provide spare paddles.

o    REPAIR KIT!!!  Basic multitool –  screwdrivers, Cutting knife/scissor, DUCT TAPE, spare wingnuts, a coil of rudder cable with 2 joiners etc are often necessary for emergency boat repairs on a river race – this is the paddlers responsibility not the spectators / marshalls.

o    SUFFICIENT BUOYANCY in the boat helps a lot with swims, especially in fast flow strong currents as it helps the boat not to fill up with water and become too heavy to manage, as the boat also sinks below the water level and adds to the difficulties of managing a swim / avoiding boat breaks.

AS THE SCOUTS SAY – BE PREPARED

RIVER INTRODUCTION TRIPS
RIVER LEARNING TRIPS
RIVER PROFICIENCY TRIPS

RIVER TRAINING – MILEAGE, EXPERIENCE AND
QUALIFYING POINTS FOR A GRADE STATUS

There are frequently river trips organised between club members, escorting new paddlers on the river to show them the ropes, teach them basic safety rules, and how to read the river, the do’s and don’ts, and to prepare them for River Proficiency certification to enable them to participate in races.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CLUB SAFETY OFFICER FOR DETAILS/INFORMATION ON UPCOMING TRIPS THROUGH YOUR CLUB – THAT YOU COULD JOIN DEPENDING ON YOUR ABILITY / LEVEL AND REQUIREMENTS.

CLUBS ORGANISING TRIPS CAN HAVE THEM POSTED ON
FACEBOOK/ GAUTENGCANOEUNION AND GPKAYAK COMMUNICATION LIST

ALTERNATIVELY please contact me – Jenniedallas23@gmail.com / 0828578571 for trip details / to be added to a river trip communication/email group.Trips are supervised, escorted trip – partners can be arranged / boats can be hired to assist you with getting up and running safely on rivers, to prepare you for river races once you are comfortable on the flat water at the dam/ have passed your basic proficiency (swim ability!) and can do 10km time trial without strain!!