PHOTOS!! located on different websites :
The exciting adrenalin rushing challenging Sasol Lowveld Crocodile, which takes place from Kwena Dam in Mpumalanga and finishes somewhere nearly 31km downriver, in a farm field on the way to Nelspruit was the big news of the past weekend, taking place on 25 and 26 October, with a good water release. The organisers chose to paddle the same stretch both days, the more interesting difficult section, to reduce risk of paddlers finding territorially claimed hippo pools.
This highly technical river is A + rated and therefore only open to paddlers who have done at least 3 x A Grade river races, and the reason is, that it requires top reflexes and regular river rapid practice!
The river is narrow, with a downhill trajectory, and with fast flowing water weaving through the rocks requires quick thinking, fast reflexes from experienced river paddlers, good river reading ability and fast action – a pinnacle of river racing.
Over 100 boats started Day 1, but not all finished, however a few repaired boats and started day 2 anyway – bringing the start numbers back up to nearly 100, with only 69 finishers finally. For those less experienced with more difficulties, it can be a long walk through tough scrub to find a road!
One of most tightly contested Lowveld Croc races since its advent, and one of the first times a development paddler has managed to pip the Lowvelders at the post – with their superb knowledge of the river so well done to Siseko Ntondini (Sow) in just managed to sneak in front of the Lowveld top paddler Mark Smith having made up enough seconds on day 2 to do so! Their accumulated finish times after both days was 3:56:43 and 3:56:44 so photo finish stuff indeed!
The 3rd place podium winner was another Sowetan Under 23 making waves and challenging the top bucks in the podium arena, Thando Ngamlana finished in 4:01, and while Zonele Nzuza (also SOW) awas the 4th place finisher in 4:12, Gustav Smook another local paddler took the 5th position as well as first Sub Master in 4:13.
The first finishing Under 18 was 8th overall after a few more of the local paddlers, finishing in 4:23, and the first Sub Vet, Lowvelders Gerhard Steyn was first Sub Grand master, 11th overall in 4:24. Colin Simpkins from Natal attended the race with many other highly experienced old school paddlers who felt their participation would be a tribute to the highly acclaimed and well respected Paul Hay who passed away during the past year, managing to finish as the Second Sub Grand Master showing superior experience on technically challenging rivers!
Brian Longley (Dabs) proved his prowess finishing as the first Great Grand Master in 4:36, 15th overall, and the first Veteran was Anton Fatti (Dabs) in 4:40, in 19th position.
Experienced Peter Geach (Dabs) was the Master winner in 24th position, and a time of 4:47, and it is really exciting to see Kirsty Fox (ERK) back on the rivers, any ladies taking on this challenge must have enormous confidence – well done first lady finishing 44th, in 5:16.
The youngest finisher was Under 16 Dewiko Loots (a local Lowvelder who plays on this river) where he learned river racing, 52nd in 5:25 and the second lady was Janet Bartlet (Dabs) in 6:32, in 60th position.
The indomitable Bertie Baard finished as the first Grand Master, 65th K1, in a time of 7;21 (FLCC) and the third lady who also finished the race was Alexandra Jensen (Dabs) in 8;28! Well done girls!
And guys ! thanks also to the sponsors, Sasol, Trac, Canoe Concepts, and Kayak Racing for spot prizes …..and to Lowveld Canoe Club for hospitality, fantastic sandwiches for lunch the guys are raving about, and for offering them this special opportunity on a truly enjoyable river for paddlers who are ready for the next level of racing.
Quote of the year from a successful finisher : the best value for money time and effort and most exciting river race this year!
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
0828578571