On Sunday 2nd August, and for the 2nd year that it has been run, the exciting Eerste River canoe race in Stellenbosch, from the ‘hangbrug’ near the Lanzerac, to Kompaniesdrift, some 18 km. downstream, saw some 70  to 80 paddlers meet in the morning on the banks of what was (initially) a very low, and bony Eerste River. However at 10h30 and in line with the promise by race organizer, Ernest van Riet (Stellenbosch Canoe Club), the river began to rise, following the opening of the sluice gates at the Jonkershoek Dam up-stream. Then followed concentrated action as the paddlers were briefed as to what they might encounter downriver from ‘hangbrug’ , the noise of the rising water tumbling over the drift ever rising in the background.

  Shaun Griffin, (UCT) leading Graeme Solomon (Pen) and Pierre-Andre Rabie (Stel) into the biggest rapid of the day (Stay Main Rapid)

Paddlers were seeded by the organizing committee and sent off one at a time with 30 second intervals between each paddler – this was for safety reasons as certainly in the section through the town, the river is very narrow, fast flowing, with many rapids, overhanging tree branches and bridges that need to be negotiated. Graeme Solomon (Pen) opened the proceedings by getting away first on the sloping section of the drift, but it was Richard Fly (Stel) that had the spectators ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’, when, starting upstream of the drift/weir, he chose to shoot it before setting off downstream (to a 2nd placing overall at the end of the event). Spectators situated and many of the various view points were treated to some spectacular action as paddlers blitzed down through the town of Stellenbosch – many making it, some not and if one thing was learnt by all who did this race, it was that it was tough one of equipment!

Branch Managers, Clifford Binnedell and Johan Swart (both Stel), discussing the state of the nation

Numerous paddlers (experienced ones at that with many years  of paddling under their splash covers) trashed, wrapped and broke canoes, paddles, dinged shins and generally got into the wars, but the majority who finished were in high praise of the race, even if the final 3 – 4 kms took them through what could be described as a ‘Berg River nightmare’ experience!!! – there the river was choked with trees and bush (and litter) and certainly the top end of the field, those who finished in 2 hours and under, probably paddled out of the water release from the Jonkershoek Dam.

ooooops – Jemma Hofmeyer (Pen), checking for kreef at Stay Main Rapid

Notwithstanding that, with non-stop white water action on the section through Stellenbosch and with the numerous weirs that needed to be shot (at least one to be portaged), to the exciting really BIG one rapid of the day, ‘Stay Main Rapid’ , this is an event that will be long talked about by the Cape paddling fraternity and would be an excellent one for a Stellenbosch based company to sponsor in the future.

Cape Argus roving reporter, Murray Williams (EVP) skating through Stay Main Rapid

The Stellenbosch Canoe Club are to be congratulated on their initiative in creating this race and giving to local paddlers an all-action event right on their doorsteps.

Results
Top Ten
1. Gavin White (Pen) 1 hour 22 minutes 00 seconds – 1st U23
2. Richard Fly (Stel) 1:22:26
3. Shaun Griffin (UCT) 1:23:01
4. Michael Watson (UCT) 1:23:16
5. Pierre-Andre Rabie (Stel) 1:24:48
6. Tom Thring (Pen) 1:25:52 – 1st Veteran
7. Ivan Kruger (Mil) 1:28:11 – 1st U18
8. Graeme Solomon (Pen) 1:28:49 – 1st Sub Veteran
9. Beetle Bailey (Pen) 1:29:26 – 1st Sub Master
10. Andrew Neal (DUC) 1:31:58

Senior Men
1. Gavin White (Pen) 1:22:00
2. Richard Fly (Stel) 1:22:26
3. Shaun Griffin (UCT) 1:23:01

Senior Women
1. Robyn Kime (Stel) 1:32:33
2. Jemma Hofmeyer (Pen) – 1:48:55
3. Kirsten Penderis (Stel) 1:49:45

U18
1. Ivan Kruger (Mil) 1:28:11

U23.
1. Gavin White (Pen) 1:22:00
2. Shaun Griffin (UCT) 1:23:01
3. Michael Watson (UCT) 1:23:16

Sub Veterans
1. Graeme Solomon (Pen) 1:28:49
2. Richard Kohler (Mil) 1:35:03
3. Murray Williams (EVP) 1:42:06

Veterans
1. Tom Thring (Pen) 1:25:52
2. Russell Ikin (Mil) 1:40:44
3. Craig Maltby (LAN) 1:41:18

Sub Masters
1. Beetle Bailey (Pen) 1:29:36
2. Mynhardt Marais (Prl) 1:32:93
3. Daantjie Mala (Stel) 1:47:04

Masters
1. Christo Smit (Mil) 1:46:27
2. Clifford Binnedell (Stel) 2:02:03.

Sub Grandmasters
1. Rene’ Boehm (SIM) 1:43:32
2. Naas Fischer (WHR) 1:46:45
3. Johan Serdyn (Stel) 1:55:07

Grandmasters
1. Giel van Deventer (Prl) 1:38:15

Matie student, Robin Kime (Stel) showing how to shoot Stay Main Rapid 

Guy  Balme (Century City CC), showing good form in Stay Main Rapid 

canoeist paddling towards the Coetzenberg Bridge, being cheered on by enthusiastic spectators