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WCCU MANUAL

WCCU MANUAL

1. INTRODUCTION

(1) Foreword

Since this booklet is aimed at the Western Province canoeing fraternity, it focuses mainly on those canoeing disciplines which are officially practiced here.

We hope that, in due course, it will be updated to include information about Surf skiing (recently affiliated to CSA / WPCU), and any other disciplines of interest (if we can find someone to write something).

We have endeavored to put together a reference manual on what you should know about paddling, trying to tread the fine line between conciseness and comprehensiveness and hoping that the result is informative and useful. In here you should find answers most of the frequently asked questions, which the officials and organisers have come across over time. There is, for instance, an extensive section on Safety — proficiency rules, organisational practices, common sense advice, warnings, etc.

Trying to determine a logical sequence for the various topics was quite challenging. No claim is being made that we have succeeded, to everyone’s satisfaction, but if you can find what you are looking for with the help of the index, then we haven’t done too badly, and that is probably the best we can hope for.

Not all information is here — where definitive and readily accessible sources of information exist (e.g. international race rules or banned substances lists), we have typically provided just some interesting snippets and the reference to the full source, rather than regurgitating the content in detail and running the risk of getting out of date.

This book is supposed to be dynamic and intended to be kept up-to-date — if you have any comments, queries or other interesting and useful information that should be presented here, please let the Secretary of WPCU know (the contact information should be in an insert to this manual, if the system is working properly).

(2) Disclaimer

Whereas care has been taken to provide accurate and comprehensive information on affiliation and racing rules, safety precautions and guidelines, and many other aspects of the sport of canoeing, neither the authors nor the Western Province Canoe Union nor any of its affiliated clubs or officials can be held legally responsible for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained herein or for any loss, damage, injury or death arising out of such errors omissions or inaccuracies.

2. DISCIPLINES IN CANOEING

The canoeing sport comprises the different disciplines listed below. Each discipline is managed by a sub-committee, which reports to CSA.

(1) Sprints

This is done on a still standing flat-water course where paddlers compete against each other in lanes over 200m, 500m, 1000m and with no lanes over 10 000m (or 2000, 3000 or 5000m for certain age groups) distances. The main object is to test speed.

(2) Marathon

The annual World Flat Water Championships raced over distances varying from 20 km to 36 km and normally include compulsory portages.

River racing can vary from 10 000m to multi-day ultra-marathons.

(3) Slalom

This is held over a course set up with gates hanging over a rapid in a river. The object is to negotiate through the gates, without fault and subject to penalties for faults, in the shortest time.

(4) Wild Water

For wild water a course of normally between 3 and 6 km is chosen over a fast flowing section of a river with as many navigable rapids as possible where the main emphasis is to test the competitor’s ability to negotiate rough water while racing against the clock.

(5) Canoe Polo

This game is basically water polo played by canoeists in short plastic polobat canoes in a pool or other demarcated area

(6) Surf Ski

This is done over varying distances on the sea usually starting and ending at convenient entry and exiting points along the shoreline. Surf ski in both single (S1) and double (S2) formats are basically sit-upon craft, which are appreciably longer than the kayaks (K1 and K2) used in Flat Water and Long Distance racing.

(7) Freestyle / Rodeo

Freestyle / Rodeo paddling is considering affiliating with CSA. This is a very popular sport in the USA and is growing in Europe.

4. ORGANISATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CANOEING

The South African Canoe Federation (SACF) was founded on 17 November 1956. It became a member of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) in 1958, but its membership was suspended from 1970 to 1991 due to international action against government apartheid laws.

The SACF never took any apartheid-based decisions themselves and all its constitutions, rules, championships, and competitions were always free from any discrimination. There has always been only one body representing South African Canoeing.

In February 1999 the name "South African Canoe Federation” (SACF) was changed to "Canoeing South Africa” (CSA)

(1) Affiliation through Clubs and Unions to CSA

There are five unions affiliated to CSA, namely KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Western Province, Eastern Province and Central Districts (this used to be known as Free State). Previously Northern Gauteng was also an affiliated Union, but Northern Gauteng and Gauteng have amalgamated to form one union.

Each union consists of several clubs and each club member is affiliated through his/her club to his/her Union and thereby to CSA.

(2) Western Province Canoe Union (WPCU)

(a) Affiliated Clubs

The WPCU was founded in 1962 with Oom Willem van Riet as its first chairman. It was originally known as ‘Westelike Provinsie Kano-Vereniging’ and the first project it tackled was the Berg River Marathon.

Soon afterwards the first club in Western Province was founded in August 1962. This was Paarl Canoe Club, which then affiliated itself to the WPKV. In order to accommodate other paddlers in the Western Cape, two further clubs, ‘Bellville’ and ‘Skiereiland’, were founded and affiliated to WPKV, which changed its name to Western Province Canoe Union (WPCU). The latter two clubs eventually changed their names to ‘Milnerton’ and ‘Peninsula’ respectively. In 1966 the Breede River Canoe Club was founded; in 1970, Stellenbosch and in 1972, UCT and the Navy Clubs. The name of the latter was later changed to Defence Western Province. It became inactive after 1993 and was resurrected in 2000 as Simon’s Town Military Canoe Club. The Crocodile Canoe Club was founded in 1996 and Upington in 1997. The most recent club is Langebaan which started its affiliation process in 2003.

Other clubs that came and went in the course of time were Otter (1974-1978), Nkwasi (1983) and Olifants (1985-1996). The Outeniqua Club in George was affiliated to WPCU from 1988 to 1990 but after that it switched over to Eastern Province.

(b) Organisation

The WPCU is governed by a constitution which is maintained through Annual- and Special General Meetings by a representative quorum of its members.

The Management Committee of WPCU (MANCO) consists of the following honorary positions:

Executive Chairman

Executive Vice Chairman

Executive Treasurer

Executive Secretary

The Executive Committee (EXCO) consists of:

MANCO (as above),

Chairman of the Officials Union (see below),

Registration Officer,

Safety Officer,

Development Officer,

Newsletter Editor,

One representative for each active discipline in WP,

One registered paid-up member from each affiliated club (usually the chairman).

And the responsibility for keeping the whole show running lies with the Administrative Secretary.

(3) Western Province Officials Union

WPCU is privileged to have a small band of experienced, capable and highly conscientious officials at its disposal. These are members of the WP Officials Union, which is represented at the WPCU EXCO by its chairman.

Some of its members have been dedicated to the sport for many years and are spending virtually every Saturday during the canoeing season at their post.

WPCU is always on the lookout for new officials. If you, your spouse or a friend or relation is available to assist, even if only occasionally on a relief basis, to give the regular officials some welcome time off, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretary of the Officials Union, or any member of the WPCU EXCO with the details.

(4) Assist the Officials

The officials are friends of our sport who spend many hours of their own valuable free time to help us enjoy our sport. (It must be for love, it can’t be the money!)

Please: —

• always show them the courtesy and respect they deserve

• obey their instructions — it’s all in the interest of safe and fair competition

• don’t crowd them during starts and finishes

• don't pester them with requests to drive your car

• don't disturb them while they are processing the race results — the more they are hindered the longer everybody must wait for the final results.

5. WPCU ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION

(1) Dates and Deadlines

(a) The financial year of WPCU runs from 1 November to 31 October of the next year.

(b) The Annual General Meeting of the WPCU is usually held on the last or second last Saturday of November.

(c) The Executive Committee of WPCU (EXCO) usually meets every first Thursday of each month, but please check the calendar for the correct dates. The usual meeting venue is the Milnerton Canoe Club and scheduled to start at 19h00.

(d) Any proposals to EXCO must reach the Admin Secretary not later than 10 days before the meeting to allow time for circulation to other club representatives before the meeting.

(e) The WP Racing Calendar, comprising a Year Planner and a Fixture List, is finalised and published after the first WPCU EXCO meeting in January. It is also updated periodically as more details become available or if dates change — please keep referring to the website for details.

(f) The Berg River Marathon is usually held during the last week of the Western Cape June/July school vacation. If possible, the vacation periods of other schools and tertiary institutions will be accommodated.

(g) The WP Awards Function, where WP Colours, President’s Trophies and other awards are handed out, usually takes place in late October or early November, at least a month after the last race of the season.

(2) Communication

(a) The WPCU newsletter will be circulated 2 weeks after each EXCO meeting to all WPCU registered paddlers, in one of the following ways:

(i) E-mail notice, informing paddler that the Newsletter has been posted on the WPCU website (www.wpcanoe.org.za)

(ii) E-mailed to individual’s if specifically requested

(iii) Limited printed copies will be available at race venues and club time trials.

(iv) Printed copies will be posted to individuals on request provided they are unable to make use of any of the other options above.

Items for the newsletter must be forwarded to The Editor, Arlene Randall, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(b) The national canoeing magazine (SA Paddler) is distributed to all registered paddlers who provide the correct delivery address when they register. There are six issues per year.

(c) Approximately once a year WP publishes a Statistics Booklet — interesting historical performance information — available to all WP paddlers, usually at no cost.

(3) Race Changes in Date, Venue or Course

(a) No changes are made to the WPCU programme except in very extraordinary circumstances such as very dangerous flood levels, dangerous weather conditions, lack of water or any factor beyond control which makes it undesirable to have the race held as planned.

(b) A change in the programme must (if possible) be sent out in a written notice, sent in the same way as newsletters are distributed, to all registered paddlers as long as possible before the change.

(d) If time is too short for EXCO's consent, all club chairmen should be contacted and their consent be obtained.

(e) If it is a problem that rises on the day of the race, the race organiser and the most senior WP MANCO members present form a meeting that must decide on the action to be taken.

(f) A message will be left on the WPCU's racing hotline at telephone number (021)551 1770 and can be phoned after 15h00 on the day before the race to hear the relevant changes, if any.

(g) If sufficient time is available, a short concise message will be SMS’ed to registered paddlers who have provided their correct cell phone numbers at registration.

6. AFFILIATION

(1) How to Register

(a) Join one of the clubs affiliated to WPCU (see clubs mentioned earlier)

(b) Complete and sign an official WPCU Registration and Indemnity Form, which is available from your Club Registration Officer. Please print clearly as indecipherable or incomplete forms will not be processed. Please note that paddlers who are under 21 require their guardian’s signature. Please also indicate races completed outside WP, and previous race number if new to WP. Races completed outside and inside WP will determine your proficiency rating and whether you will be compelled to wear a buoyancy aid.

(c) Give the WPCU Registration and Indemnity Form, together with whatever documentation your club requires and payment of all the necessary fees, to the Club Registration Officer (see the sections on deadlines below).

(d) The Club Registration Officer will in turn submit your form to WPCU. In the Registration process, you will receive a National Registration Number (if you have not got one already), which must be displayed on your canoe (see the diagram included in this manual) during all races all over South Africa at all times.

(2) Retaining the National Registration Number

(a) You will keep your allocated National Registration Number provided you register each year. However, if you miss out for a year, WPCU is likely to reallocate the number to someone else.

(b) Once you have completed the Berg River Marathon ten times, you obtain a ‘Berg’ Honorary Number. These numbers are awarded in chronological order of completing the 10th Berg River Marathon. This honorary number, which will not be the same as the National Registration Number, may be displayed on the back deck of the canoe as per the diagram included in this manual. These ‘Berg’ Numbers will not fall away if you don’t register each year, but will be retained on a special list of all paddlers who have achieved Honorary Berg River Number Status.

(3) Deadline for Registration to be allowed to Race

A special concession is made for paddlers at the beginning of each season.

(a) Previously Registered Paddlers

If you were registered last year you may still paddle into the new season with your old registration up to and including the Hermanus-Stanford race without paying any additional race fees. After that you will be treated as a non-registered paddler (see below).

(b) Non-Registered Paddlers

Provided your Club Safety Officer has approved your paddling proficiency rating, you may take part in the pre-season programme of races up to and including the Hermanus-Stanford race without registering with WPCU.

However, your results from races, done while you are not registered, will not count towards Presidents Trophy points. But they will be considered for any prizes at the race itself.

… If you wish to avoid the extra expense of Temporary Licenses (see below), you must be registered with WPCU al least 10 days before the race in which you wish to participate.

(4) Temporary Licenses

Apart from the special concession mentioned above, paddlers who are not registered via their club by noon on Thursday a week (10 days) prior to any race they wish to do, must buy a Temporary License for the day in order to participate. The implications are discussed in more detail in the section on race entry fees below.

Note 1: This 10 day rule is absolutely necessary for WPCU/CSA officials to prepare the official race and seeding lists in time for the race.

Note 2: Temporary Licenses do NOT entitle the paddler to paddle the WPCU or CSA Championship races (i.e. Sprints, Flat Water Marathon, and River Champs), the Berg or the Breede, or any out of province races, e.g. the Dusi, Umkomaas, Orange, or Fish, etc.

7. RACING — ENTERING, WITHDRAWING etc

(1) Major races

Major SA river multi-day races usually have special printed entry forms. Entry forms for the Berg River Marathon and the Breede River Marathon are usually distributed by WPCU to all the WPCU clubs and to the other Unions, who are requested to distribute these forms to the clubs in their Union.

Check the racing calendar for closing dates, or check the entry forms for closing dates, entry fees and instructions as to where these have to be delivered or posted.

(2) Western Province One-Day Races

You have several choices for entering One-day races:

• Pre-entry and pre-payment for all or part of the season

• Pre-entry and pre-payment for the next Saturday’s race during the preceding week

• Entry and payment on the bank on race day

• Non-registered paddlers — Temporary Licences

(a) Pre-entry and pre-payment for all or part of the season

(i) If you wish to benefit from some awesome discounts on your race entry fees over the year (see the insert about this year’s Fees), indicate your choice in the appropriate pre-entry and pre-payment box of the WPCU registration form for:

• Either all the races in the year (Tick the “Full” box) — this gives you the most enormous discount

• Or all the races in the first part of the season, up to and including the Olifants River Race (Tick the “1st Part” box) — if you are predominantly a K1 paddler, the discount is still huge

• Or all the races in the second part of the season starting with the Wyzersdrift Race (Tick the “2nd Part” box) — if your main interest is in the K2 season, still at an amazing discount

(ii) When your registration form reaches the WPCU Registration Officer, the computer records will be updated to indicate your choice.

(iii) On race day, you can then by-pass the normal Race Entry tables on the bank and go straight to the Boat Scrutiny Pound, where your name will be on the list of the Boat Scrutiny and Safety Check Officials.

(iv) If you have opted for the “1st Part” pre-entry, you can at a later stage also opt for the “2nd Part” pre-entry and pre-payment by submitting another WPCU Registration Form with only your name and the new option completed, but adding words to the effect that you are already registered, and that this is just an update for pre-entry. Submit this “update form” with the required pre-payment to your Club Registration Officer, who in turn will forward it to the WPCU Registration Officer.

(b) Entry and payment on the bank on race day

(i) If you have not opted for either of the options above, you can still enter WP day races on the bank — it will just cost you more and take longer.

(ii) On the day of the race, you will have to queue at the Race Entry table and enter and pay (see insert on fees) for the race before going to the Boat Scrutiny and Safety Check Officials.

(i) Even if you are not registered (as specified under Registration above), all is not lost. It just gets even more expensive and takes even longer.

(ii) On the day of the race, you will have to queue at the Temporary Licence table to purchase (see insert on fees) the Temporary Licence.

(iii) After that, you will have to queue at the Race Entry table and enter and pay (see insert on fees – again!!!) for the race before going to the Boat Scrutiny and Safety Check Officials.

(d) Gate fees for paddlers

All one-day race entry fees cover all gate fees for paddlers.

However, you must still make sure that your seconds are aware that monies may be payable for non-paddlers and/or cars at either the start or finish venues for certain races, and also at certain view points along the route of the race.

(3) Unofficial Racing

No canoeist, whether affiliated to Western Province Canoe Union or not, is allowed to be on the stretch of water where a race is taking place, unless (s)he has officially entered for the race or is officially involved in safety or sweeping actions.

(4) Withdrawal from a Race

If you don’t finish a race you have entered, for whatever reason, you must let the officials know that you have retired, as soon as possible, please.

If you can’t get there yourself, arrange with someone you know will definitely inform the officials of your withdrawal.

If you don’t, some worried officials will be sitting on the bank waiting for you for endless hours, while dedicated safety helpers will be paddling whole sections of the river looking for you.

For contact numbers please refer to the inserted contact information for this year.

8. QUALIFYING FOR RACES

According to decisions made at the CSA Congress held in December 2002, there are now two major aspects to the qualification criteria:

• Paddling proficiency rating — a paddler’s qualification must be appropriate for the respective river grading

• Paddling ’fitness’ — applies in major multi-day races in SA and is expressed as number of Fitness Points

(1) Paddling Proficiency Rating (applies to all river races)

A new set of rules regarding river proficiency qualification was issued by CSA and adopted in 2001 by WPCU after some minor adaptation for local conditions. These rules are presented in detail in the section on Safety.

A transition process was defined at the time and presented and approved at the AGM, to accommodate paddlers of varying degrees of experience. In short, anyone who had completed at least three official River Races in a K1 within the cut-off time would be given an A rating for K1 and K2. All others would be evaluated on their achievements up to that time and rated accordingly. They would then progress towards full A rating through the steps (including tests, where applicable) defined in the new process.

Note: the WP Officials will not allow anyone to paddle if they are under-qualified for a given stretch of river.

(2) Paddling Fitness (applies to multi-day races)

At the CSA Congress held in December 2002, new national qualifying rules for major SA river multi-day events were approved. The major SA river races are:

Berg River Marathon (Btw) Orange River Marathon (A)

Breede River Marathon (B) Tugela Canoe Marathon (A)

Drakensberg Challenge (B) Umkomaas Canoe Marathon (A)

Dusi Marathon (B) Vaal River Marathon (B)

Fish River Marathon (B) 50 Miler Marathon (B)

Lowveld Croc (A)

(a) As stated already, participants must have achieved the River Proficiency Rating required for the event.

(b) All participants will also have to qualify by gaining a number of Fitness Points within the six months prior to the race.

The number of Fitness Points is equal to the number of days over which the race is held, with a maximum of three points.

Paddlers in both K1 and K2 craft achieve qualifying points, even if the official craft for the race differs from the craft used by the paddler.

Fitness Points achieved for completing races are awarded as follows:

Race Description / Criteria Fitness Points

Berg River Marathon All four days completed 4

Berg River Marathon Less than 4 days completed 0

Breede River Marathon Both days completed 2

Breede River Marathon Less than 2 days completed 0

Olifants River Race Over 2 days each less than 20 km 1

One-day A or B grade river races More than 20 km 1

One-day A or B grade river races Less than 20 km ½

One-day C grade river races More than 20 km ½

One-day C grade river races Less than 20 km ¼

One-day flat water races More than 20 km ½

One-day flat water races Less than 20 km ¼

Paddle ski races More than 20 km ½

Paddle ski races Less than 20 km ¼

(3) Paddlers from foreign countries

Paddlers from foreign countries will have to satisfy the WPCU Safety Officer of their river proficiency rating and their paddling fitness for multi-day races before being allowed to enter such multi-day races within the jurisdiction of the WPCU.

9. RACE SEEDING

(1) Seeding for One-Day Races

This applies to President’s Trophy races (see WP Competitions) — other races do not have a defined seeding process.

(a) For the first official race of the season, usually Hermanus-Stanford, no seeding is done. For the second race, usually Marina da Gama, only the front row is seeded according to the results of Hermanus-Stanford.

(b) For subsequent races a clearly defined process is adopted:

(i) The first approximately 50 paddlers are seeded by Western Province according to aggregates of results of the preceding races. They start in grid formation between the Starter’s flag (usually red) and flag number 2 (usually yellow, if we can find one). (The size and number of rows depends on the width of water available.)

(ii) The next group, starting as a batch behind flag number 2, comprises only those paddlers who were in the top 100 in the most recent previous race and who are not seeded in the first batch.

(iii) All the remaining paddlers, the ‘fish-and-chips’, start as a batch behind flag number 3 (whatever other colour we can lay our hands on).

(iv) If any of the paddlers seeded in the first batch do not pitch up, this does not entitle other paddlers to shift up into his place.

(2) Seeding for SA River Championships and other Major River Races

At the CSA Congress held in December 2002, new national rules for seeding and batching for SA River Championships and other major SA river multi-day events with strong inter-provincial representation were approved.

• Seeding and batching for these events have to use the National Grading System for K1 and K2 craft. The seeding must be updated after every designated ranking event and must be published in all CSA media, including the CSA website, and any other relevant websites.

• K2 ranking will be determined by combination. Each paddler will therefore have a different K2 ranking with each different partner.

• All SA River Championship and other major river events requiring seeding and batching must use the ranking ladder for batching. All age groups and both sexes will be ranked according to overall performance.

• Combinations and K1 paddlers who do not take part in ranking events will not be seeded and will be batched randomly at the back of the field, except that International paddlers may be catered for separately and A-graded paddlers in K2 combinations that have not raced together before in ranking events will be ranked as a combination by averaging their current K1 ranking percentages.

• Events to be used for ranking are:

SA Flat Water Marathon Championship (Senior Race only)

Berg River Marathon Breede River Marathon

Drakensberg Challenge Dusi Marathon

Fish River Marathon Lowveld Croc

Umkomaas Canoe Marathon Vaal River Marathon

50 Miler Marathon

• Any other event wishing to be used must apply to be allocated status of national ranking event and will only be approved after the event if it had participation from at least three craft from the top 103% of the current ranking list at the time in the class to be used for ranking.

• Percentage of the winner’s time will be used as the marker, K1’s and K2’s separately. The only single result, an average of the only two results, an average of the only three results or an average of the best three results will be used for each craft. The last 12 months events will be used, i.e. last year’s Fish River Marathon will count for this year’s Fish River Marathon, after which it will fall away and this year’s Fish River Marathon will be the most recent event used – and so on.

10. BERG RIVER MARATHON

The ‘Berg’, being one of the ‘Major Multi-Day Events’ listed by CSA, is therefore subject to the abovementioned qualification and seeding criteria. More specifically, this is how it works:

(1) Qualifying

• Participants must have an A River Proficiency rating, as well as the prerequisite three Fitness Points, accumulated in the last six months.

• Paddlers who wish to participate, and who have not yet qualified by the closing date for entries (refer to the inserted WP Racing Calendar), should submit their entries on time in any case, because all qualifiers up to the last race before the ‘Berg’ will be taken into account.

• Paddlers who ultimately still do not qualify, or who are rejected by the organisers for whatever reason, will have their entry fee refunded.

(2) Seedings for the Start of the First Day- Changed

• Seedings are based on the CSA ranking ladder. However, to provide fair seedings all the way down the field, even for the social paddlers who normally don’t participate in the list of ranking events mentioned earlier, WPCU has applied to CSA to approve the pre-Berg races as ranking events for the ‘Berg’ itself.

• As from 2004 a new twist is being introduced: the top 60 paddlers (according to the CSA rankings) will be invited to compete for their positions on the starting grid in a time trial to be held on the Berg River in the afternoon preceding the main race. The exact location and distance of the time trial as well as other technical details of implementation, are still being finalised. — Watch the press and news letters for details, or find out on the entry form.

• These first 60 will start on the traditional starting grid, six rows of 10 paddlers.

• Also according to tradition, the rest of the field will start, according to their CSA rankings, in two evenly sized groups along both sides of the river, in demarcated areas behind the ‘grid’, with their rudders against the bank.

11. RACING CLASSES – Canoeing

All paddlers are, upon registration, officially grouped into different classes, in which they will automatically compete.

In the main, this grouping is based on the classes defined by the ICF and CSA, but there are certain aspects where WPCU has its own internal ‘dialect’. (Note: this ‘dialect’ refers to some special classes recognised in WP, and some of the class codes we use — none of which is in conflict with any National or International standards or practises.)

The criteria used are age, gender and experience — and there is also an open class.

The class of a paddler is usually written as ‘LCN’, where:

L — blank if male, ‘L’ if female

C — the age class as described below

N — blank if experienced, ‘N’ if Novice

Based on these criteria, most paddlers would be competing in more than one class. The following section will attempt to explain where these overlaps exist and to what extent they apply.

(1) Types of Classes

(a) Age-based Classes

All paddlers, irrespective of gender or experience fall into one of these age classes, but not all age classes are treated the same way:

• Sub Juniors Classes, from U8 to U18, are only recognised for Sprints and Flat Water Marathon. The classes U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 compete, sexes separately, at local and national level, and depending on achievements, Provincial Colours may be awarded.

• For River Racing, and international competition, the Juniors are treated as one class (all under 18).

• In the Seniors, aged between 21 and 34, WP recognises the standard ‘open’ class (A-Class) and a special ‘closed’ class (B-Class). The purpose is to promote internal competition at a secondary level and give a broader field of paddlers something to go for, ‘protected’ from strong competition from outside the class.

Class WP Code CSA Code Details

Junior J U(18) Under 19 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Under 21 U U(21) Under 22 on 31 Dec of year of race.

B-Class B n/a (WP only) — 21 Or older on 1 January and not yet 35 on 31 Dec of year of race — and never promoted to A-class.

All paddlers in this age range fall into the B-Class by default, except under certain circumstances described later.

Sub Veteran R SV From 35 to 39 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Veteran V V From 40 to 44 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Sub Master K SM Form 45 to 49 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Master M M From 50 to 54 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Sub Grand Master W SG From 55 to 59 on 31 Dec of year of race.

Grand Master G G 60 or older on 31 Dec of year of race.

Open class A <open> Any Paddler in the same age range as the B-Class, who is not B-Class for one or more of the following reasons:

• Has received National or Provincial Colours

• Has come from elsewhere with a history of highly competitive performance

• Was in the top three of the B-Class President’s Trophy rankings at the end of the previous season

• Came from Under 21, with a high-performance track record

• Not registered with WPCU

All other paddlers automatically compete in the A-Class as well.

Example: If a Veteran or Junior wins a race (s)he wins the respective age class and is also the overall (A-Class) winner.

(b) Gender-based Classes

Apart from competing in all the age classes above on an equal basis with men, ladies have their own classes as well.

• There is an ‘open’ Ladies class, in which all ladies compete, irrespective of age.

Owing to growth in numbers and the strong competition, two new ‘closed’ competition classes for ladies have been established as from 2004:

• Ladies Under 21 (LU)

• Lady Juniors (LJ)

Western Province also recognises a special ‘Novice’ class, only open to paddlers registered in WP.

A paddler, irrespective of age or gender, is a Novice until the end of the first season in which (s)he officially completes a President’s Trophy race (or other official race elsewhere in the country) in a K1.

(d) Unofficial classes:

In K2 races there are classes which do not count for Presidents Trophy but for which there are sometimes prizes after the race. Examples are:

X — Mixed double — male and female paddling in a K2

P — Parent and child

H — Husband and wife

S — Siblings

Z — Novice and experienced paddler (‘N’ on its side = ‘Z’)

(2) Table to explain overlapping Class System

Official Class WP code CSA code Also open to the following classes:

A-class A <open> Open to all other classes

B-Class B n/a BN, LB, LBN

Ladies L F LN, LJ, LU, LR, LV, LK, LM, LW, LG, LJN, LUN, LRN, LVN, LKN, LMN, LWN, LGN

Novices N n/a BN, JN, UN, RN, VN, KN, MN, WN, GN, LBN, LJN, LUN, LRN, LVN, LKN, LMN, LWN, LGN

Juniors J U(18) JN, LJ, LJN

Under 21 U U(21) UN, LU, LUN

Sub Veterans R SV RN, LR, LRN

Veterans V V VN, LV, LVN

Sub Masters K SM KN, LK, LKN

Masters M M MN, LM, LMN

Sub Grand Masters W SG WN, LW, LWN

Grand Masters G G GN, LG, LGN

This means a paddler not only scores President's Trophy points in his/her official class but paddlers whose class overlaps with another official class also score points in that class e.g. a LB scores points in Ladies and in B-class.

12. SERIES COMPETITIONS

There are various competitions, administered at various levels of the organisation, over various time frames and with various objectives, obviously all based on canoeing achievements. Described below are the ones which affect WP paddlers directly.

• President’s Trophy — WP — individual — whole season

• Inter Club Trophy — WP — club — whole season

• Top Four Challenge — WP — club — whole season

• Sprint Victor Ludorum — WP — individual — sprint series

• Sprint Inter Club Competition — WP — club — sprint series

• National Grand Prix Series — CSA — individual — whole year

(1) President’s Trophy

(a) Description

This competition was started in 1966 with the purpose of identifying the best Western Province paddler over an entire season, based on both performance and participation. Originally it was only applied to the open class, but in 1982 it was expanded to Juniors, and in 1983 it was applied to all official classes.

The results of a selected series of established races are used to derive merit points, according to a defined formula. These points are aggregated and, in each class, the paddler with the highest score is the winner.

Which of the Western Province races count towards the President’s Trophy can be seen on the WP Fixture List (see References).

(b) Eligibility

It is important to note that only paddlers registered through a WCCU club in WCCU will qualify for Presidents Trophy points.Since 2008 WCCU's seasonal year coincides with CSA's season from 1 April each year to 31 March the next year.

WCCU paddling season for Presidents Trophy purposes starts from January each year and ends with Fish Marathon in same calendar year.

It means that all WCCU Presidents Trophy races and all SA Champs and World Cup and World Champ events during above period

counts for Presidents Trophy in the same calendar year.

A paddler's registration in the previous CSA year will thus still qualify as being registered for the new calendar year up to the end of March.

For example if Hermanus-Stanford takes part in March 2008 a paddler's 2007 registration still qualifies him for 2008 Presidents points.

From 1 April in the new Presidents Trophy season the paddler needs to be registered for that specific season to qaulify for Presidents Trophy points.

(i) Boat Numbers

As in all official races run under the umbrella of Canoeing South Africa, the paddler’s National Registration Number must be prominently displayed on both sides of the front deck. Failure to comply with this can lead to no time being taken for the offender and no record kept. (See Special Note below)

(ii) Official Completion

Only those boats which finish within 175% of the time of the winner will have points awarded, anyone coming in later, will be regarded as not having finished.

(iii) Correct Craft

Each President’s Trophy race is specifically classified as being either K1 or K2. Participating in the wrong craft will result in not accumulating any points in the President’s Trophy competition (although times will be taken and records of completion will be kept by WPCU).

(iv) Special Note…

Failure to comply with the Boat Number rule above could be critical for a competitor. It means that (s)he has not completed the race officially.

If the race in question was a Berg or Breede qualifier, (s)he will not get credit for it and this might not leave the paddler enough qualifying points to be allowed to do the Berg or Breede.

(d) Classes

The President’s Trophy classes are as defined earlier, under Racing Classes.

(e) Scoring

. The points system is as follows:

K1 Position Points K2 Position Points

1 15 1 12

2 11 1 12

3 8 2 8

4 6 2 8

5 5 3 5

6 4 3 5

7 3 4 3

8 2 4 3

9 1 5 1

Include all SA Champs and International races falling within WCCU season

This links up with 3 above to help solve the problem of when a leading paddler in a

class misses too many local races due to his/her SA and international programme. The rule is now

that all SA Champs and World Cup and World Champs between 1 January and Fish River each year must

be taken in account. Points in SA 's get multiplied by 1.25 and in International's get multiplied by 1.5

and is taken from actual position in that race. When a SA Champs is in WCCU the normal WCCU race rule applies

That means your relative position in the race according to WCCU paddlers only is taken ignoring non-WCCU

paddlers and there will be no extra multiplying 1.25 score. The argument in this case is that say for

example Breede is SA river champs the race is open and easy accessible to all WCCU paddlers just

as any other WCCU race and therefore it is more fair to have the normal WCCU paddlers only rule to be

applied for Presidents Trophy points. K2 — Mixed Classes

(A) Points

There are several versions of mixed classes:

(I) Mixed Double — Man and Lady, any ages — the Lady gets half points (as indicated below) in the Ladies class

(II) Novice and non-Novice — the novice gets half points in the Novice class

(III) Juniors & Under 21, either sex, paddling with anyone in an older class gets half points — if a Junior paddles with an Under 21, the junior gets half points, but the Under 21 gets full points.

(IV) B-Class paddling with anyone not B-Class, gets half points in the B-Class.

(V) Older age paddlers (Sub Veterans to Grand Masters) paddling with anyone in a younger age class, get half points

(Note that several of the above rules could apply simultaneously, e.g. a Lady Novice Junior could be paddling with her experienced Veteran dad. In this case rules 1, 2, 3 and 5 would all apply)

(B) Scoring

The resulting two sets of scores (full points and half points) are treated as two separate lists and not interleaved, i.e. the first person in any category who obtains full points gets 24 and the second gets 19, whilst the first person deserving half points gets 12, and the second 9.5, irrespective of which of them (full points or half points) had the overall better position.

(iii) If it is a multi-day race:

In multi-day races, each day counts as a separate race and failure to complete say day 4 of the ‘Berg’ does not detract from the result obtained on day 1.

However, subsequent days in a multi-day race only count if the paddler is still officially in the race.

For example: For Berg day 4 results to count, the paddler must have officially completed days 1, 2 and 3.

(iv) International / National Events

If a WP-registered paddler misses a local President’s Trophy event because (s)he is participating in a World Championship, World Cup or SA Championship event, (s)he is awarded points for that event, on the same positional basis as for the local race, except that, in the case of an international event, the points thus awarded are multiplied by 1.5, and In the case of a national event, by 1.25.

(f) Races Used/Discarded

Sprints: There are 4 sprint events each for K1 and K2 (200m, 500m, 1000m, 5000/10000m). Of these, the best 2 K1 and the best 2 K2 events count.

Long Distance: For each of K1 and K2, one more than half the number of scheduled races is used. (e.g. 7/12 or 8/15)

For example: if there are 14 K1 and 11 K2 LD Races, therefore the aggregate is based on:

The best 2 K1 sprint results, the best 2 K2 sprint results, the best 8 K1 LD results and the best 6 K2 LD results.

(g) Winning

In each class the person with the highest total score at the end of the season (after discards) is the winner of the President’s Trophy of that class.

Should there be a tie for first place, the higher K1 component of that total score will be used to determine the winner.

If this would still result in a tie, the person with the higher number of K1 wins is declared the winner.

(2) Inter-Club Trophy

(a) Description

In this competition paddlers earn points for their respective clubs and the club which has accumulated the highest score over the entire season wins.

The emphasis is on quality and quantity. In order to win, a club must have good paddlers as well as large numbers of participants.

All President’s Trophy races count, except Sprints and Flat Water Marathon.

(b) Eligibility

All WP paddlers earn points for their clubs — unregistered paddlers earn points for the club they intend to join, provided this has been made known to the officials when entering the race.

Paddlers registered in other Unions are not eligible.

For points to count, the participant must be an official finisher within the cut-off time of 175% of the winner’s time.

K1’s and K2’s count, irrespective of the actual classification of the race.

Results of disqualified entries (e.g. boat number missing), late finishers and unregistered paddlers whose nominated club is not known, are not taken into account.

Classes are irrelevant to this competition.

(d) Scoring

The winning boat gets as many points as there were boats entered in the race. Each subsequent boat gets one point less. Each paddler earns, for his/her club, the number of points the boat achieved.

Points for the Berg and the Breede are taken based on overall positions, not on individual days.

(e) Winning

The club accumulating the highest score over the entire season wins the trophy.

(3) Top Four Challenge

(a) Description

This is an inter club competition where the emphasis is on quality only.

The combined time of the first four paddlers in each club is used for point allocation based on the President’s Trophy formula. These points are then accumulated per club and the club with the highest score over the whole season wins.

All President’s Trophy races, except Sprints, are taken into account.

(b) Eligibility

WP registered paddlers only – as for President’s Trophy races.

Only official finishers in the correct craft, as specified for the race, are taken into account.

In K2’s, both paddlers must be from the same club.

Classes are irrelevant to this competition.

(d) Scoring

In K1 races it is the total combined time of the first four paddlers from each club that count and in K2 it is the total combined time of the first two K2 boats (four paddlers) from each club that count.

K2’s with mixed-club crews do not count in this competition.

Positions are determined by total time and points are allocated to these positions on the same basis as for K1 Presidents Trophy (see above).

Points for the Berg and the Breede are taken based on overall results, not on individual days.

(e) Winning

The winning club is the club with the most points over the whole season for all Presidents Trophy races, except Sprints.

(4) Sprints Victor Ludorum

(a) Description

This recognises the best overall individual performances in each class during the WP Sprint Championships, based on the finals in each distance (200m, 500m, 1000m, 10 000m).

(b) Eligibility

Registered paddlers only — WP and other provinces.

Applies to all President’s Trophy classes.

(d) Scoring

For each distance, in the final of each class, points are awarded to individuals as follows:

• For K1, the first five positions get 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points respectively.

• For K2, the first three boats (six paddlers) get 5, 3, and 1 points respectively.

(e) Winning

In each class, the paddler with the highest number of points, accumulated from all 8 events, is declared Victor / Victrix Ludorum.

(5) Sprints Inter Club Competition

This inter club competition is based on the Victor Ludorum points above, which are accumulated for each club.

The club with the highest number of points wins.

(6) National Grand Prix Series

This competition was introduced in the 1988/89 season and the winner is the paddler who scores the most points in his/her best performances in the most important races on the national calendar. The winner receives the Willem van Riet trophy.

At present the races included in this competition are:

World Marathon Cup - K1 and K2

World Marathon Champs - K1 and K2

SA Sprints (Best result from K1 and K2)

SA K1 River championships

SA K2 River championships

SA Marathon Flat Water Champs - K1

SA Marathon Flat Water Champs – K2

Dusi - K1/K2

Umkomaas – K2

Berg - K1

Breede - K2

Fish - K1/K2

Vaal - K2

50 Miler – K1/K2.

Points are awarded on the following basis, from first position downwards:

K1: 26, 22, 19, 17, 16, 15, 14 ......... 1

K2: 24, 19, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.

Results in the international events (World Marathon Cup and Championships) earn 150% of the above points.

The same points system as for Presidents Trophy is used (See above), except that the best four events count for your final total of points regardless of whether these four best scores were in K1 or K2.

13. WP COLOURS AND CAPS

Western Province Colours are awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in Canoeing and Surf Ski and clubs should apply on behalf of their members for the awarding of colours and caps.

The following criteria are guidelines only and the actual decision as to whether colours will be awarded, is subject to an appropriate performance standard, and rests with the Western Province Canoe Union Executive Committee (WPCU EXCO).

(1) Caps

A paddler receives a cap for every time he/she represents WP in a National event.

A cap may also be awarded for any worthy performance not listed below upon application by the paddler's club to, and approval of the WPCU EXCO.

(2) High Prestige Achievements

(a) WP colours may be awarded, subject to approval by WPCU EXCO, on achieving any one or more of the following performances:

(i) Olympic Team Member

(ii) Top 3 in World Championships or World Cup Event

(iii) SA National colours / Federation Colours

(iv) 4 Caps (4 times member of WP Team to SA Event)

(v) Top 3 in Berg, Dusi, Fish or Cape Point Challenge (in official craft)

(vi) Top 3 in PE-EL (in whatever craft)

(vii) Any SA Title in Classes A, J, R and L

(viii) SA Sprints Victor Ludorum – all Classes

(ix) 3 Titles at SA Schools Sprints

(x) SA Schools Sprints Victor Ludorum

(xi) Member of SA Schools Team

(b) Any extraordinary canoeing achievement at national or international level can be motivated by the Club to the WPCU EXCO for the awarding of WP Colours

(3) Other Top Class Achievements

(a) WP colours may be awarded, subject to approval by WPCU EXCO, on achieving any three or more of the following performances in the various Classes:

(the numbers in the blocks indicate down to which position in the respective event credits will be awarded)

WP Colours Credits J U A R V K M W G LJ LU L LR+

International Achievement 10 10 15 10 10 10 8 6 6 6 8 10 6

SA River K1 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 2

SA River K2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1

SA Marathon K1 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 2

SA Marathon K2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1

SA K4 1

SA Ski (S1) 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 2

SA Ski (S2) 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1

SA Sprints K1 (any dist.) 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

SA Sprints K2 (any dist.) 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Grand Prix Series K1 Race 1 3 1 3

Grand Prix Series K2 Race 1 3 1 2

Grand Prix Series Overall 1 5 1 3

WP River K1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

WP River K2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP Marathon K1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

WP Marathon K2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP 10km Champs S1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

WP 10km Champs S2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP Sprints K1 (any dist.) 1

WP Sprints Victor Ludorum 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP President's Trophy 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sunday Ski Series 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Berg K1 4 3 8 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 3 2

Breede K2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

Dusi / Fish K1 * 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 3 2

Dusi / Fish K2 * 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1

Cape Point S1 4 3 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 2 1 3 2

PE-EL S1 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1

PE-EL S2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Pen. Mar. / Scotburgh-Brighton / Dolphin Coast S1 * 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 3 1

Pen. Mar. / Scotburgh-Brighton / Dolphin Coast S2 * 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

(4) Sub Junior Achievements

(a) WP Junior colours may be awarded, subject to approval by WPCU EXCO, who has to take into account the standard of the performance, on achieving any three or more of the following performances in these Sub Junior Classes:

(the numbers in the blocks indicate down to which position in the respective event credits will be awarded)

WP Colours Credits U18 U16 U14 U12 U10 U8

SA School Sprints K1 200 2 2 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K1 500 2 2 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K1 1000 2 2 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K1 2/3/5000 2 2 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K2 200 1 1 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K2 500 1 1 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K2 1000 1 1 1 1 1 1

SA School Sprints K2 2/3/5000 1 1 1 1 1 1

SA Jnr Marathon K1 2 2 1 1 1 1

SA Jnr Marathon K2 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP School Sprints VL 1 1 1 1 1 1

WP Jnr Marathon 5000/10000 1 1 1 1 1 1

(5) Notes on the Two Tables above

(a) If WP hosts an SA event, and as a result, there is no separate WP event (e.g. 2002 SA/WP Marathon at Stanford), this is treated as 2 separate events for the colours evaluation above.

(b) In that case, the WP competition is treated as though there were no visiting participants, and the first WP paddler wins this competition

(c) In the case of K2’s, WP paddlers paddling with visitors are entitled to the same recognition, as if they were paddling with another WP paddler.

14. THE ENVIRONMENT

(1) We Use Their Land

Our long distance canoe racing programme will be a total non-event if we cannot rely on the goodwill of numerous farmland owners alongside our rivers. Please always remember that we do not have the RIGHT to drive over the farmers' land. We receive PERMISSION to do so.

(a) Whether you are organising a race, or you are only on a single training paddle, always obtain permission to pass through private land.

(b) Keep to recognised roads.

(d) Park your vehicle in a sensible and considerate way to avoid blocking the way of others.

(e) Do not speed along farm or rural roads.

(f) Close gates that were closed.

(g) Do not pick farmer's crops.

(h) Do not camp, picnic or make fire without permission.

(i) Never leave any litter behind.

(j) Treat all local inhabitants and their property with respect.

(k) Thank farmers afterwards for allowing you on their land.

(l) Seconds are the paddler’s responsibility, so please make sure that they are aware of what is expected of them as far as picking you, the paddler up, courtesy, where they may or may not park or drive.

(m) THE VERY IMPORTANT "NO-DOGS-ALLOWED" RULE

Dogs are not allowed to any race in the rural areas.

We have already lost access to some farms due to paddlers who took dogs to the farms against the will of the owners.

A minimum fine of R200 plus a suspension of their racing license may be imposed on trespassers.

Dogs are also not welcome at clubs, neither at city or small town race venues

WHY ????

Due to the presence of small children, the general nuisance factor and the fact that doggy faeces is just left where it was dropped or kicked under the nearest bush.

(2) DON'T KILL THE WORLD

Paddling provides access to areas which otherwise cannot easily be reached. We are able to travel off the beaten track. We come into contact with untouched and unspoiled nature.

This huge advantage places a huge responsibility on every paddler. We must harmonise with nature. We must protect our wonderful paddling environment at all cost.

At this very moment, as you are reading this, some specie of plant, insect, bird, fish or other priceless creature, which has been on this earth for thousands and millions of years before man, is being wiped out. By man. Never again will anyone see it, or hear it, or smell it. Suddenly, after thousands and millions of years, it is gone. Forever. Suddenly there is nothing. Only silence. A very old silence. A silence older than the earth.

It is sad. Unforgivable. Sickening. Revolting. No word exists to express strongly enough how abhorrent it is. No paddler ever may be part of this mad deed of extermination.

Every time you are out there, in the bosom of nature, remember, we are only visitors. It is their home - not ours. Our presence affects their behaviour and their chances of survival. Even the rotten core of an old tree often is the home of a multitude of living things.

Don't touch. Don't disturb. Don't kill the world.

15. SAFETY

This section deals with various aspects of river safety:

• The SA Safety Handbook

• Some Common-Sense Safety Rules

• Dangerous and Prohibited Areas

• River Proficiency Qualification

• Managing Safety at Races

• Drugs

(1) The SA Safety Handbook

For thousands of active canoe paddlers in South Africa, the attraction of the sport includes the exhilaration of running rapids, and mastering the dangers and fear that any river holds in store. The element of danger is inextricably linked to the pleasure derived from the sport. However, it also makes safety, and the management of all aspects relating to it, a primary responsibility of each and every individual, as well as the various tiers of the sport’s administration.

Canoeing South Africa has produced a ‘Safety Handbook’ which sets out the responsibilities of the Federation, Union, Club and individual, and elaborates on equipment and techniques that will make the sport as safe as possible.

This ‘Safety Handbook’ should be seen as a must for any complete beginner (novice) or experienced active paddler in South Africa.

When you join a club and register to affiliate to WPCU for the first time, you will be handed a free copy of this ‘Safety Handbook’. Paddlers who were registered before, may obtain their copies at a fee of R 5.00 each from their Club Registration Officer. Please read it carefully, and revisit the contents before attempting a trip on any rivers. It may save your life!

(2) Some Common-Sense Safety Rules

(a) Check all your equipment at least two days before you set out for a trip or race. This should leave enough time to repair any defective equipment. Do not paddle with any defective equipment.

(b) Never paddle alone on a river trip. Ideally, the minimum should be three paddlers.

(d) Wear warm clothing if windy and/or rainy conditions are likely to be encountered.

(e) All craft, whether tripping or racing, must contain a minimum of 10 litres of buoyancy fixed into each end. Wine bags, balls, polystyrene blocks and 2 litre bottles are not acceptable unless they are tightly wedged or tied in. Airbags shaped to fit into the craft are strongly recommended.

(f) If the conditions on the river are likely to be dangerous, rather consider wearing a buoyancy aid even if you are an experienced paddler.

(g) Always check out a rapid, which you have not seen before, especially if you cannot see end of it, before shooting it.

(h) Never shoot a weir, which you have not seen or checked before. Avoid all other manmade structures.

(i) On the river or even on flat water, if you are going to hit an obstacle, always lean towards that obstacle.

(j) If you are sideways on to a current, never brace on the upstream side of the craft.

(k) Whether you are paddling or swimming, avoid trees in the river.

(l) In a fast flowing river, always hug the inside of a corner.

(m) If you have capsized, always try to hold onto the upstream end of the craft and try and keep the craft parallel with the flow direction until you reach an eddy or bank where you can easily land the craft. If you are in fast flowing water, swim on your back with your feet downstream of your body and off the bottom to cushion any blows from hard objects and/or rocks, thus possibly avoiding series injury to your knees or head. If at all possible, also hold onto your paddle.

(n) In the Safety Booklet, study the Chapter on reading the river, particularly the last sections about weirs before you even go on your first river trip so that you are aware how to the rescue yourself should you be caught in a “washing machine” type back curling stopper wave below a weir. Basically you must not panic, but dive right down to the river bed and swim downstream to surface clear of the backwash.

(o) Listen to the Safety Officer’s announcements before the start of a race as there may be new obstacles on the route, and information on how to avoid or deal with them.

(p) Paddlers must obey the instructions of race officials at all times. Failure to do so and/or abuse of an official giving the orders is not permitted. Note that safety regulations on a river may change during the event from those indicated at the start of the race and officials on the bank during the race must be obeyed.

(q) Buoyancy aids must be able to support a minimum 6 kg weight, and have design features that minimize risk of hooking onto hazards in the river, and must have a facility to allow the jacket to be easily and quickly removed in case of emergency.

(r) In races run under the jurisdiction of WPCU, buoyancy aids must be worn by all paddlers who have not officially completed 20 races in a K1, where each race is at least 16 km long, and sanctioned by CSA or any Union affiliated to CSA.

(s) Even if paddlers have been exempted from wearing buoyancy aids if they have completed 20 races in a K1, they must still take their buoyancy aids to all canoe racing events as the organizers may, due to high flood conditions, inclement weather or any other safety reason, make wearing of a buoyancy aid compulsory.

(3) Dangerous and Prohibited Areas

The list below is by no means exhaustive, and canoeists who are new to the sport or who do not know the Cape rivers, are well advised not to venture out except in the company of an experienced local paddler. AND, if you don’t know the person who is offering to guide you, find out more from others before entrusting your life to him/her — you might not live to regret it.

(a) Prohibited Areas

(i) Near the wall of the Misverstand Dam on the Berg River, there is a row of buoys indicating that the area between them and the wall is out of bounds and dangerous — Don’t go there — if the suction down the dam wall doesn’t get you, the Department of Water Affairs surely will!

(ii) The weir at Market Street Bridge in Paarl has proved itself to be a man trap — don’t shoot it under any circumstances.

(iii) On the Breede River, near Robertson, the section between what was the Silverstrand Resort (now being converted into a golf course) and the McGregor Bridge, is out of bounds owing to a dangerous weir. Legend has it that more than one hero, who has ventured into that area, disappeared, never to be seen again.

(b) Dangerous Spots

Canoeing is dangerous — particularly during flood conditions! Don’t go out there on your own — it is impossible to list here all potentially dangerous areas — we’ll just describe a few:

(i) Berg River

(A) Under flood conditions, the stretch from Franschhoek to Paarl should be avoided by inexperienced paddlers. About 3 to 4 km down-river from the Franschhoek road bridge, there is a low-water bridge which has a very dangerous washing machine. Further down river there are several places where fallen trees litter the river bed and block the flow.

(B) One of the day-race finishing spots is Skooltjie Bridge, a concrete farm bridge and popular spectator spot during the ‘Berg’. When the water is high, the suction under it becomes very strong — get to the side early to portage past this bridge.

When the river flows right over it, it is even more treacherous. Be very sure you know what you’re doing if you choose to paddle and not portage. And be very wary of advice from the bank — the one who gets into trouble is the advisee, not the advisor!

(C) The section of river from about Olyfboom (about 5 km after Skooltjie) to Hermon goes through dense forests and is a bad at any level — at low water it’s impenetrable, at high water it’s very dangerous and treacherous and at any level in between you just sommer get lost.

(D) ‘Black Rock’, less than 5 km after Gouda Bridge — is a recommended portage (right bank), except when the level is very high — then you paddle on the right.

(E) ‘Ysterpen’, is a nasty little rapid forming a sharp S-bend through some palmiet, interspersed with solid trees, slowly increasing its colourful collection of wrecks under the tree next to the last drop. It’s less than 4 km after Train Bridge. Portage on right bank immediately after rounding the sharp left bend, and before the palmiet in the middle of the stream.

(F) On the ‘Third Day’ stretch, both the Moravia low water bridge/weir (7 km after the N7 bridge) and the low-level bridge at Soetdraai (another 4 km further), are declared compulsory portages, even during the ‘Berg’ Marathon.

(ii) Breede River

(A) On the ‘Wyzersdrif’ stretch, between Darling Bridge (on the R303) and Wyzersdrif Bridge (on the road between Goudini and Goudiniweg) there are 5 low-level bridges. When the level isn’t low, the fast current tends to make getting out difficult. Make sure you find takeout points for the portages early enough.

When the river is at a very high level, (the first few low water bridges will be under water), the last one of these bridges becomes very dangerous due to very serious washing machine action. Stories about close shaves come from some of our most experienced paddlers.

(B) On the section between Alfies low-level Bridge and Robertson, there is the Le Chasseur Weir (about 9 km after Eilandia, soon after a fairly narrow gap through the mountains), which has been a compulsory portage on races for years because of its serious washing machine. It is easily recognisable with a little tower on the right hand bank and a sort of ‘club house’ close by. You portage on the right hand bank by climbing over a wall between the weir and the tower (there are steps).

(C) The last portion of this section, close to the end, near Silverstrand, Robertson, is particularly nasty. It’s about 5 km after Gouree Weir (Canoeists know it as ‘Rocky Weir’). You come through another narrow gap in a mountain range, and after an endless stretch of flat water, you either take a left turn into a shortcut, or you don’t. Opposite this shortcut (on the right hand bank) there are some blue gum trees (what a land mark!).

If you do take the shortcut, you have to contend with a dangerous low-level bridge and some very fast narrow channels snaking through dense vegetation.

If you don’t find the shortcut, you eventually come upon an old broken weir with a bad backwash and some horrendous tree blocks.

During a recent race many experienced paddlers parted company with their boats, some of which came in long before their owners in various states of disrepair at the finish at Silverstrand (the owners were sitting on a piece of bank from which walking out was impossible, and they had to swim through some bad rapids to escape).

This area should be avoided if at all possible (don’t miss the shortcut)!

If you can’t avoid it, when you hear the noise of the water at the weir, paddle as fast as you can for the left bank to portage and hope you don’t land in an area where you are trapped. Note: — the takeout is quite awkward and the way out even worse.

(D) On the section between Robertson and Bonnievale, about 16 km after the start at ‘McGregor Bridge’, there is the Goudmyn Weir (‘Sliding Weir’ to Canoeists). There are several things to note about it:

(I) In flood conditions it creates a very high and ominous standing wave, particularly on the right.

(II) Just below the weir, the river forms two channels, each of which is crossed by a low-level bridge. The fast-flowing current makes take-out and portaging difficult on the right (even when not in flood) and the right hand channel is therefore usually out-of-bounds during races.

(III) Below the above-mentioned two low water bridges, the channels join up again. About 100m later, after a left bend in the river, (just behind the ‘Van Loveren’ wine estate), there is another low-level bridge (the ‘Tooth Bridge’, because of rows of ‘battlements’ along each edge, which stand up like teeth waiting to chew up your boat). At low to medium river level, you must get out early enough on the left, for a short rocky portage.

(E) Next on that section is the red bridge and about 1 km after that is Secunda Weir. Unless the river is very high, so that you can see the entire tongue clearly from the water, this weir should not be shot without prior inspection, because:

(I) At certain levels there is a serious backwash

(II) There may be tree trunks and dangerous debris rolling in the washing machine below the weir, completely out-of-sight from your approach, until it is too late to turn back.

(F) Still on this section, about 12 km after Secunda Weir, is the Weltevrede low-level bridge. When in doubt, portage across the island in the middle of the river. Never go right of the island without prior inspection!

(G) On the Drew-Swellendam section, about 6 km after Drew Bridge, there is the waterfall — exciting but relatively easy if you know where to go and how to shoot, but tricky if you don’t.

(H) Then, 24 km later, you get another old steel bridge and 2 km after that is the Swellendam Weir. There are three chutes: the left one is suicide because of a rock bed below, the middle one has a backwash that keeps you there and the right one breaks boats.

If in doubt, portage on the right bank.

(I) The section known to canoeists as the ‘Bontebok’, down-stream from the Bontebok National Park, is quite awesome. In fact, only A-rated paddlers are allowed to race on that section.

There are lots of exciting things there, but there is one bad news spot — about 4 km after the start, the second obstacle you get to on an otherwise totally flat piece of river, is the notorious ‘Waterfall’. This is a compulsory portage on the left bank. Get out early! If you get sucked down, at best only your boat will be in pieces afterwards…

(4) River Proficiency Qualification

(a) Motivation

There are several reasons why WPCU has to have a set of proficiency criteria:

(i) As the official co-ordinating body of the sport, it has to protect itself by having reasonable criteria in place to ensure the proficiency of participants in official events, and we have to be able to prove that these criteria have been enforced.

(ii) Race Officials, organisers and club safety officers can more objectively decide who is or is not eligible for participation in a given event on a given stretch of river. (note that even for tripping unofficially, these criteria should be applied)

(iii) Last, but not least, paddlers themselves can feel more confident about which events they can enter, where they may paddle, and exactly what is expected of them before they can progress to the next level.

(b) Proficiency Rating

Rivers are graded, people are rated.

(i) Gradings

The river grading system and reasoning is explained in the CSA Safety Booklet. Simply put:

F — means Flat water such as lagoons, dams and lakes

C — means easy rivers

B — means moderately difficult

A — means seriously difficult

X — means suisidally difficult

(ii) Ratings

(A) In principle, there are 4 levels of paddler proficiency rating:

Rating Qualification Allowed to:

X No proficiency qualification no Proficiency Tests recorded, not allowed to race (but see Notes under Racing Calendar below)

C Basic Proficiency Test completed qualified to enter Flat Water and C-Grade River races

B River Proficiency Test completed qualified to enter B-Grade River races

A 3 B-Grade River races completed qualified to enter A-Grade River races

(B) The proficiency rating is normally expressed using two characters, one for K1, the other for K2 —

E.g. BA-rated means the paddler is B-rated for K1 and A-rated for K2.

All paddlers entering any Western Province races will have to be qualified in terms of the proficiency criteria in order to have their entries accepted.

(i) K2 Constraints

(A) Qualification

The above Tests and qualifying races can be completed in a K1 or K2. However, any stage completed in a K2 will qualify the paddler to compete in a K2 only. A K1 qualified paddler may paddle in a K1 or a K2.

(B) Partnerships

Ideally, both partners in a K2 should be qualified for the intended race, however, one partner may be one level under-qualified, provided the other is at least one level over-qualified

(ii) Age Limitations

Juniors under the age of 15 may only participate in River races:

(A) Subject to the relevant proficiency tests having been completed

(B) In the company of an adult AA-rated chaperone who undertakes to accompany the child (or children) in question, and who has been approved by the Club Safety Officer

(C) NOTE that the chaperoning requirement can only be lifted after the Junior has attained full AA-rating status, and subject to the approval of the Club- and the WPCU Safety Officers

(d) Tests and Qualifiers:

The Tests described below are available from the Secretary of the WPCU

(i) Basic Proficiency Test (gives you a C-rating)

Required to enter Flat Water and C-Grade River Races — this entails:

(A) A theory quiz — interview style — intended to ensure that the candidate has some rudimentary understanding of canoes, canoeing and general safety aspects

(B) A practical demonstration, on flat water, of boat handling and manoeuvring skills, including a voluntary capsize

(D) A 10 KM time trial in under 70 minutes (note that in adverse conditions, or if the time trial is not exactly 10 KM, but never less than 8 KM, a ration of 1.55 to the winner’s time will apply)

(ii) River Proficiency Test (gives you a B-rating)

Required to enter B-Grade River Races — this entails:

(A) A theory quiz — interview style — intended to asses the candidate’s river knowledge and safety considerations

(B) A practical demonstration, on the river, of boat handling, river reading and current management, including a voluntary capsize and swim down a rapid

(C) Completion of three official C-Grade River and/or Flat Water races within the official cut-off time (if there are insufficient official races available, the above events may be substituted for official 10 km Club Time Trials, provided they are completed in under 70 minutes, or, if the Club Time Trial is less than 10 km, but at least 8 km, 1.55 times the time of the winner)

(iii) A-Grade Qualifiers

In order to qualify for an A-rating, the candidate must have completed three official B-Grade races within the official cut-off time (1.75 times the time of the winner)

(iv) Special Qualification Considerations

(A) Depending on conditions of the day, the organisers of a given race may decide that the above minimum qualifications are inadequate (i.e., this effectively means that the race is temporarily upgraded and only entries of appropriately higher qualified paddlers will be accepted)

(B) Certain Races (e.g. the Bontebok, the Berg and the Olifants) may have special additional qualifying criteria, as determined by WPCU, and only paddlers conforming to such criteria will be eligible to race

(e) The Racing Calendar

(i) Flat Water Races

In order to encourage newcomers into the sport the above criteria will not apply in the early part of the K1 and K2 seasons, during the following Flat Water Races (however, these races can be counted as part of the qualification process):

Races on Zandvlei, e.g. Twilight Twelve, Marina da Gama

Hermanus-Stanford

Races on Misverstand Dam

(ii) C-Grade River Races

The following Races, when the river are not in flood, will require at least a Basic Proficiency Test (or, in the case of a K2, at least one partner has to be at least qualified to paddle B-Grade races.)

Nekkies-Alfies

Dal Josaphat-Lady Loch

Wyzersdrif

Nekkies-Eilandia

(f) Administration

(i) The Tests

(A) Test questionnaires / evaluation forms are available from the secretary of the WPCU on request.

(B) As stated, the Proficiency Tests are administered by Club Safety Officers or designated coaches, who will certify the completed evaluation forms and submit them to the WPCU.

(ii) The Testers

(A) Each club will provide the name and contact details of their designated Safety Officer or coach — if they do not have one, the testing of their members can be done by any of the other designated Safety Officers or coaches.

(B) These designated testers will have to undergo a Tester Authorisation Process, (still to be defined), to ensure that the proficiency testing is handled equitably and according to an acceptable standard in all clubs

(C) WPCU will keep a record of authorised testers and will match any submitted and certified test results against the list of testers.

(iii) Receipts

(A) The Tester will issue a receipt to the candidate upon completion of the Test.

(B) This Receipt must be retained by the candidate, for proof of completion of the test, when entering races, until the candidate has satisfied himself that the official computer records have been updated.

(iv) The Records

(A) The CSA Canoe Administration and Results System makes provision for storing the proficiency status of each registered paddler.

(B) With the data interchange facilities, the proficiency status of paddlers from other provinces will also be accessible to WPCU and vice versa.

(D) It must be re-emphasised that submissions for adjustment to computer records must reach WPCU by the Thursday of the week before the week of the race in which the paddler wants to participate, i.e. 10 days before the target race.

(5) Managing Safety at Races

(a) River Grading vs. Paddler Rating

All our rivers and other paddling venues have been graded and these gradings can be found in the CSA Safety Booklet.

The CSA Canoe Admin and Results system also knows about these gradings and when race entries are fed into the computer, the program checks the paddler proficiency rating against the river grading and rejects under-qualified entries.

The officials will only override the computer information if you can produce the official receipt, signed by an authorised tester, proving that you have done the relevant test. Otherwise you will not be allowed to race.

(b) Safety Checks

There will be a demarcated Boat Scrutiny Control Point at the starting venues of races, through which participants must pass before getting onto the water.

(i) They will check and tick off:

(A) Whether you are pre-entered (they have lists!) — if not, they will take from you the token you were given when you entered for the race — if you don’t have one, you can come back when you do.

(B) Whether you are qualified to paddle this race, according to their lists — if not, you will have to show your test receipt to get in!

(C) Whether there is enough buoyancy in your boat (10 litres in each end of the boat) — if not, that boat won’t be allowed on the water!

(D) Whether you should be wearing a buoyancy aid — if so, does yours comply with the CSA standard specifications — if it doesn’t, or if you don’t have one when you should, all is not lost — you can come back when you’ve found one!

(E) Whether your boat carries the correct number — either your National Registration Number (or your partner’s if K2), or the Temporary Licence Number issued to you for the day (if you are not registered) — if it’s wrong, perhaps you had better give the boat back!

Note 1: if any of the above checks fail:

(I) You will not get on the water!

(II) You will immediately get out of the way of other people in the queue!

(III) You will not argue with the officials!

(IV) If you have a problem, you can go and find the Chief Official and talk to him — if he has time, otherwise you wait! — if that makes you late for the start, that is your problem, and not anyone else’s fault

Note 2: This may not sound all friendly and understanding to you, but — you know what — it’s very friendly and helpful and efficient towards all those who comply with the rules! — so make sure you are one of those!

Where the WP Safety Officer deems it necessary, there will be one or more sweeps appointed to follow the race.

At least one of these, the last boat in the field, will have some rudimentary equipment, such as a cell phone and an elementary first-aid kit for body and boat.

They are tasked to:

(i) Stay with the last stragglers in the field

(ii) Where possible, help in cases of minor injury, or boat damage

(iii) Give assistance and encouragement where applicable

(iv) Report in (by cell phone) on any withdrawals from the race, giving name of paddler, and location, so that seconds and safety officers can be alerted / informed / dispatched

(d) Control Checks and Follow-up

At the finish, officials check each finisher against the final entry list for the race.

After the cut-off time, if there are still participants unaccounted for, this is reported to the Safety Officer.

It is then his decision when and how to deal with the problem.

(6) Drugs

For up-to-date information on banned substances, please refer to the section on References further down.

There are just a few points to be made about drugs:

(a) According to the rules of the World Anti Doping Agency and the International Canoe Federation, you are responsible for whatever substances are found in your body when you are tested, irrespective of whether you know how it got there!

(b) It is amazing how many ordinary, every-day cold and flue remedies contain substances which are on the banned list.

But some substances also get unbanned, such as caffeine for example.

(c) Also be careful of nutritional supplements. A lot of food supplements have ingredients that don’t appear on the label, and some of these unlisted ingredients could produce positive doping test results.

So, perhaps you should make sure that the medication you are using won’t get you disqualified or worse.

16. RULES AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT

There are various sets of rules — about competition, drugs, equipment, eligibility, classes, safety, behaviour, etc.

And they come from various bodies such as the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti Doping Agency, the International Canoe Federation, Canoeing South Africa, the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport, the Western Province Canoe Union, the WP Officials Union, the Various Clubs organising races, the farmers whose land we invade, etc.

Some of these rules have already been discussed in earlier sections of this booklet and some pointers to definitive and comprehensive information can be found in the Reference section.

This section is mainly about what could happen if you don’t conform.

It also has an article by Tim Cornish about a recent rule change and its implications.

(1) Discipline Enforcement

You may have noticed that, throughout this booklet, all kinds of rules have been stated and expected behaviour described but nowhere was there any mention of what would happen if you (or your seconds!) do not conform to these rules and guidelines.

Well, the Western Province Canoe Union wants to ensure that:

• The sport is administered in the interest and to the benefit of its members.

• Racing in WP is fair and equitable and in conformance with all applicable international, national and provincial norms, standards and regulations — and seen to be so.

• Safety standards and precautions are maintained.

• Riparian owners are satisfied that their property is looked after and treated responsibly by participants and their seconds at all times.

• The WP Officials can feel confident about organising events and enforcing the rules, with the full backing of the Executive Committee

To this end, whenever violations of any of the rules or behaviour standards are reported or observed, (e.g. bringing dogs to races, swearing at on official, driving through a farmer’s field, etc) the committee is at liberty to act in accordance with its constitutional powers which would typically entail holding a disciplinary hearing and imposing commensurate penalties.

Depending on the severity, the remedies could be:

• Payment of fines

• Time penalties

• Disqualification from the race

• Suspension from participation in official events for a given period — this would be enforced country-wide and could be over an extended period

Since the committee obviously has no constitutional jurisdiction over seconds and hangers-on, it will direct its full wrath to the paddler who brought them – so paddlers beware – behave yourselves and take good control of your seconds!!!

(2) Important New ICF Rule Concerning Overtaking and Collision or Damage

There have frequently been problems and disagreements regarding the interpretation of the overtaking rule and what is acceptable in group racing and at turns.

During 2003 the ICF Marathon Racing Committee and the ICF Board approved the following rule change, which became applicable with immediate effect.

The previous rule was:

Overtaking

When a canoe or kayak is overtaking another canoe or kayak, it is the duty of the overtaking craft to keep clear at all times of the boat being overtaken.

Collision or damage

Any competitor who is responsible for a collision, or who damages the canoe or kayak or paddle of another may be disqualified.

This has now been replaced with:

Group Racing & Overtaking

When a canoe or kayak is overtaking another canoe or kayak, it is the duty of the overtaking craft to keep clear of other competitors at all times.

When a canoe or kayak is racing in a group of competitors it is the duty of all the competitors in the group to keep clear of other competitors at all times. This rule applies to any manoeuvring within the group.

Collision or damage

Any competitor who is considered by a course umpire or race official to have been responsible for a collision, or who damages the canoe or kayak or paddle of another competitor or unnecessarily deviates from their course may be disqualified.

The practice of squeezing out another competitor off the bunch in a group or against a bridge or bank was difficult to penalize under the old rules. There was no definition of when a boat is overtaking and also it did not cover the group or bunch-racing situation. There is a rule about fair play and attempting to win a race by anything other than honourable means but it was difficult or impossible to act against an unsporting paddler behaving badly in a group under this rule.

Now that the above rule has been approved it will be possible for a paddler to be disqualified for this type of unsporting behaviour in group racing. In view of this we need to educate our paddlers, get our act cleaned up and race according to the new rules.

17. REFERENCES TO OTHER INFORMATION

(1) CSA Safety Booklet

If you are registering with WPCU for the first time you get one free, otherwise they are obtainable from the Secretary of WPCU for R5.00

(2) ICF / CSA Rules and Regulations

The website for Canoeing South Africa is www.canoesa.org.za

There you will find the CSA rules and regulations, and also a link to the International Canoe Federation.

(3) Banned Substances List

The website for the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) is www.wada-ama.org

The list of Prohibited Substances for 2004 is there — but — it is all full of scientific names, and has clauses like ‘…other substances with similar chemical structure or similar pharmacological effects…’.

The website for the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport is (you guessed it) www.drugfreesport.org.za which has a search facility which enables you to determine the status of a given product.

There is also their Hot Line (021)448 3888 — probably the easiest option — there is actually a person who answers your questions.

The WADA/ICF Anti Drug Code should be on the notice board at your club.

If you need further details, contact the Secretary of the WPCU

(4) Contact numbers for Riparian Owners

Available from the Secretary of WPCU

(5) WPCU website, email addresses, info hotline ….

• Website — www.wpcanoe.org.za

• Email for the secretary — This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Telephone hotline for race information — (021)551 1770

(6) Racing Calendar (Year Planner and Fixture List)

The Year Planner is inserted in this booklet.

However, both this and the Fixture List, which gives more detailed information about each event, can be found on (and downloaded from) the WPCU website!

(7) The WPCU Constitution

Available from the Secretary of WPCU

18. INSERTS

If you still happen to have this manual more than a year after you got it, please check with WPCU at the beginning of the season, whether or not it has been updated.

If so, please get a new one. If not, please obtain at least a new set of the inserts listed below.

(1) This year’s Racing Calendar – Planner and Fixture List

(2) This year’s Fee Structure

(3) This year’s Committee and other contact information

Function, name, phone numbers, email address

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