Bamboo Warehouse Gouda to Bridgetown

When:               Saturday 1st August, 2009.

Venue:              Gouda to Bridgetown.

Distance:           29 Km.

Registration:      08h30

Start time:        10h00

Host Club:         Peninsula

N.B.             Non-registered paddlers WILL NOT be allowed to enter the race.
Very N.B.     PFD’s (life jackets) are compulsory

Directions can be found HERE and from PCC HERE

Download this TXT file . Change the file extension GPX and open in Google Earth

This event, held over the 28 km section of the Berg River between Gouda Bridge and Bridgetown.

This section, arguably the best section of the Berg River up on which canoeists race, will set up the favourites for the rest of the series, but having said that, there are virtually no clear favourites at this stage of the season. Gouda Bridge to Bridgetown will test the mettle of all other K2 crews, as it can be a very uncompromising section of river.  

Starting under Gouda Bridge  the section moves on through some tight stretches before encountering Black Rock Rapid and the inevitable question of whether or not to shoot it. Given the length of K2 canoes and the narrow Palmiet lined channel with a sharp left and right turn in the middle of it, it may just be prudent to portage on river right (that is, if the channel on the right hand bank isn’t navigable). After Black Rock, there are numerous narrow, false channels that can cause havoc before the long channel leading down to the Train Bridge and beyond. There has been a huge tree block in the main channel where the river passes under the bridge with a very sharp right/left turn through which a canoe can sneak, but K2’s at speed might cause some problems, especially when racing in line down this section.

 After Train Bridge and under the Heuningberg, there is at least one tree block that is completely across the river making for a compulsory portage on either river left (right up at the block) or on river right, provided paddlers beach some 30 m above the block. If the water level is favourable and canoes stacking up against the block allow it, some paddlers may be able to thread their way through it, but this is likely to be the long option – of course, as all Berg River paddlers know, the situation on this river can change from day-to-day, and so the way might even be completely clear (but this is doubtful!). After Heuningberg, the way forward is anything but clear and it will take sharp eyes and good river knowledge to follow the correct and strongest flow at all times via Ysterpen Rapid and other fast flowing sections down to the Drie Heuwels weir, which, at this level, should be no more that a shallow drop down the main tongue of the flow.

 Drie Heuwels should be about 20 minutes from the end of the race (at Bridgetown), but the way through the bush between the two is not clear at all and so paddlers are advised (as aforementioned) to make sure that they way they choose is clear. Perhaps the best piece of advice on this section is that which was given by one of the Berg legends, Gerfried Nebe, many years ago, when he uttered the immortal words…”After Drie Heuwels, go left, left and left again. Whatever you do, don’t go right!”. Will this advice still be pertinent on Saturday? Time will tell.

 The event starts at the Gouda Bridge at 10h00 – registration opens at 08h30.