6 July 2014
It was a chilly start to the FLCC winter Klip race on Sunday 6 July – with a 30km distance to face and threats of a cold front, newer paddlers were intimidated and only a few were brave enough to report for the point! Although its only a day away from the Berg River time trial, there were a few hardy Berg river trainees on the river acclimitising to the chill while mop up operations take place in the Western Cape after heavy rainfalls promising a full flowing Berg!
Giant Kingfishers led the paddlers through the scenic sections of the upper Klip river from the Heidelberg bridge in Daleside, through Henley on KLip and Meyerton to finish at the caravan park. Only two swimmers at Daleside weir – one a beginner K1 never seen a weir before and the second as a result of a broken paddle as he took a stroke.
Mine rapid had its fair share of carnage as usual with a number of swimmers as the left line becomes bony and needs pace, and the right line is somewhat turbulent! Broken Weir always has a few swimmers which results in some bruises as well but the paddlers are a tough breed and took on Little Klip with gusto to enjoy the rest of the fun rapids on the river.
Loveday Zondi fought a hard battle against young under 23 Thando Ngamlana, (both SOW) beating him to the finish line by only one second , finishing the 30km in 1 hour 59 minutes , with Cornelis Human 3rd only 1 second later (Dabs)! Gregory Smith (VLC) was the first Sub veteran in 4th place in a time of 2:05, while the winning double and first Veterans Keith Flemmer and Neil Barrow (DABS) made their return to training with three months to go to Fish, finishing 5th some seconds later.
Mike Barry (ERK) was the first Sub Master finisher as the 7th K1 in 2:07, while Under 16 Alex Masina (JCC) beat fellow club colleague and mentor Gavin Steyl – king of klip – by 6 seconds to finish as K1 8 in 2:12! Steyl was nevertheless the first Master finisher, while JCC’s Mixed K3 was the first Mixed boat with Michael Roy partnered with Mark and daughter Jamie Hall to finish in 2:18, 16th overall.
Meyer Steyn (DABS) finished as first Sub Grant Master in 2 hours 19 minutes as 14th K1, while the next JCC K3 with Anthony and Phillippa Phelp and Martin Sly finished in 2 hours 25 as a mixed double. This made Raymond Rorich and Linda (CEN) the 3rd mixed double in 2:29 thanks to their swim at Broken Weir no doubt although the only actual male / female K2 mixed double !
John Rowan and John Lawson (ERK/LIK) were the Great Grand Master participants finishing in 2:55, as 8th K2, and 28th overall, and Lynn Morris the only lady on the river finishing in 3 hours and 2 minutes as the 19th K1.
FLCC marshalls were spread throughout the river to keep an eye on possible newbies needing assistance and provided a paddle swop, a paddle rescue, a paddle exchange in 3 instances as well as morale boosting!!
Next up will be the Gauteng Trials for K4 races at Roodeplaat on Saturday 12 July as well as a winter school league race at same venue – details to follow – ENJOY!!
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
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