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NEWSLETTER # 5, July 2009 Contents: . Exco Members . Editor’s Intro . Chairmans report . Summary of info. from the last Exco meeting. . Coaching News. . Events - local . 2009 Berg River Canoe Marathon. . Local Results . Forthcoming National events . Courses . Smalls . Items of interest. . Eskimo Rolls! NB. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the W.C.C.U. Executive Committee. WCCU EXCO 2008/2009 Go to www.wpcanoe.org.za – look under the heading “Committee” Newsletter Editor’s Intro. The Breede (K2) season is upon us – just where did the 1st part of the season go? Oh, yes – Sprints, Marathons, the Berg K1 season and the Berg itself – O.K., it was all there but didn’t the time just gallop past – something that tends to happen when you are having fun! And what a Berg the 2009 event was! Andre’ Collins and Giel van Deventer completing their 40th Bergs – Edgar Boehm his 36th – that is just amazing stuff and each of these paddlers can rightfully claim to be an ‘Old Man of the River’, although I am sure that none of them would like to be referred to as ‘Old’! Congratulations all. The Berg itself was an outstanding affair – the river was kind to all paddlers as was the weather – not that good for seconds on Day 1 (excellent for paddlers) and thereafter it just got better and better- clear blue skies, sunshine, a full river – what more could a Berg River paddler ask? The event, as everyone knows, was won by Hank McGregor (now a KZN paddler, but one who grew up in the Cape and who as a youngster spent many hours on the Berg watching and seconding his Dad, Lee – another exceptional athlete and paddler) with Robyn Kime, finally on the 4th and last day of the race, managing to overtake Lindi-May Harmsen when the latter made an uncharacteristic mistake. The podium places (men) went to W.C.C.U. paddlers – Lance King (Milnerton) was second and the evergreen Graeme Solomon (Peninsula), now also a Sub Vet., third. In the Women’s event, Stellenbosch engineering student, Robyn Kime, on her 1st Berg, won from Milnerton’s Lindi-May Harmsen and Peninsula’s Jemma Hofmeyer. But every paddler who finishes the Berg is a winner – that is not a cliché’ – it is fact. Maybe there were some hard questions asked of one’s sanity during the 6th or so hour of Day 3, but the sense of achievement paddling under the Veldrif Bridge to finish this event has to be experienced to be understood. Incredibly, in this, the Berg’s 47th year, there were two paddlers who did the very first one back I n 1962 – former canoeing Springboks Willem van Riet and Jannie Malherbe – names that will always be associated with this great race and canoeing in South Africa in general. Both are also previous winners – Jannie winning the 2nd and 3rd Bergs. You are both inspirational – thank you for your presence at W.C.C.U. races. Another great canoeing name on the water was JT Basson – winner in 1975 and again in 1985 – seems like you just can’t keep an ‘old’ (there’s that word again!), paddler down. And now paddlers are gearing up for the K2 season on what is arguably one of the most beautiful rivers in the country – the Breede River. And with it comes a solid 5 weeks of paddling, some weekends being double headers, others having standard one-day races, but with many people staying over to trip on the Sundays. The hospitality of the region is also legendary (as are the excellent wine estates!) – a word of caution though, the traffic cops of the region, especially around Worcester and Riviersonderend, are not to be trifled with. Make sure that you have flags tied to the back of your canoes – K2’s stick a lo-o-o-o-ng way out behind most vehicles, and watch out for speed traps – Riviersonderend is (in)famous for them (famous for their home-made pies at Die Ou Meul Bakkery though!) and I have a vision of their boy’s-in-blue licking their lips in anticipation of our K2 paddlers in August and September. Four W.C.C.U. paddlers will be competing in Portugal for the S.A. Masters Canoe Marathon Team – Veteran Willem van Riet (jnr), Sub Master Eugene van der Westhuizen in K1, Rob MacLean in the Sub Grandmasters in K1 and K2, Andre’ Rabie in Sub Grandmasters (K2 with Rob) and Giel van Deventer in the Grandmasters K1. (More details on W.C.C.U. results at the S.A’s below). Other Cape paddlers were selected, but unfortunately due to circumstances, are unable to go – Lance King , U23 K1, Robyn Kime, U23 K1 and K2, Ian Glass and Shaun Butler, Masters K2, Roelof van Riet, Grandmasters K1 and with Andre’ Collins, K2. Good luck to you all. and enjoy the Cerves (beer in Portuguese!). Rob MacLean Media Liaison- W.C.C.U. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. Chairman’s Report – 2009 Berg River Canoe Marathon The 47th Berg River Canoe Marathon was held in perfect conditions this year. The river was in flood and the weather was perfect. Edgar Boehm, a veteran of many Berg River Canoe Marathons commented that this was his easiest Berg ever! Highlights of the Berg included the historic 6th win by superstar Hank McGregor who has added this achievement to his World Marathon Title amongst others Another highlight was undoubtedly the amazing 40 Berg River Marathons that “hardebaarde” Andre (Chief) Collins and Giel van Deventer completed this year. Both these veterans have struggled with injuries these past two years but this did not prevent them from completing their 40th Berg. Both have at different times told me that they intend calling it a day after 40. Knowing the animals that we are dealing with however we will just have to wait and see!!? Andre and Giel – we salute you – Well done! There were however the individual disappointments and triumphs – Lindi-May Harmsen led the ladies race for 3 days only to lose the race on the last day. The other side of the coin was the triumph of Robyn Kime who put in a superhuman effort on the last day to walk away with the crown. The Berg will also never be without controversy. After some appeals were lodged against competitors who took a shortcut at 3 busse(where there no longer are any “busse”), the race committee disqualified every canoeist against whom the appeal was lodged. This included the first 6 finishers, amongst whom was the overall winner Hank McGregor. As 50% or more of the competitors in fact took the shortcut, the effect of this decision would have been catastrophic. (As a matter of interest, Ernest van Riet would have emerged as the winner of the Berg). The race jury however overturned this decision and instead replaced it with a time penalty which restored the first 6 finishers to their original positions. Not everyone was happy with the decision and this debate will no doubt rage on for many years to come. The Berg still remains one of the great events of South African Canoeing and if we are attracting less entrants, it is because of the uncompromising toughness of the race – not many canoeists are prepared to face four days and 240km of cold weather, sore hands and difficult tree blocks - so to those who finished the race; Well Done – you deserve our respect! Naas Fischer Chairman WCCU Summary of very important information from the last Exco meeting # VERY N.B. no one will be allowed to race in a W.C.C.U. canoe race unless registered. If you arrive at the river, unregistered, you will not be allowed to enter the race being held that day. Note that it takes about 10 days from the time that you register with your club until such time as you are ‘official’! This is because the information that you give to your club registration officer has to be sent to the W.C.C.U. for capturing and then to C.S.A. for capturing. Live with it if you have been slack so far! ‘Phoning the W.C.C.U. Secretary late in the week in a panic requesting a late registration just not on – please respect her privacy if you have failed to do what is your responsibility. # The Wacky Wine Race will become a permanent fixture on the W.C.C.U. calendar, but will not be for President’s Trophy points. # Following on the very successful Safety Course that was run on the Palmiet River in June and attended by a number of Club Safety Officers, a course for all Cape canoeists will be investigated for the future. # The W.C.C.U. canoe marathon team to the S.A. Canoe Marathon Championships that were held on 27th/28th June, in Plettenberg Bay had much success. See under ‘Local Results’ below. # The CSA Development Officer, ‘our own’ Martin Dreyer will be visiting the Cape shortly to work with local clubs on Development – watch this space for details. # Affiliation fees from 1st August have been reduced to R450 to meet the requirements of those paddlers who are doing the Breede K2 season. # Coaching – CSA is taking over the management of provincial elite coaches. There is a possibility of club coaches being appointed and subsidized by CSA to grow the sport. This is being debated at CSA level at the moment. Should it be given the Green Light, Exco. will inform all W.C.C.U. paddlers in due course and just what it will entail. Amongst other things, an elite squad needs to be determined and the rules of elite coaching needs to be understood by all. …………………………………………………………………………………………. W.C.C.U. Canoe Coaches Corner – Zoltan Bako Zoltán is available to do private coaching/style sessions. Contact details: 084 305 8079 He is also running canoeing training camps if the demand is there – contact him for details. Forthcoming Local Events – July, 2009 Saturday 8th August – K2 – Nekkies Eilandia, Breede River – 26 km. Saturday 15th August – K2 – Wyzerdrift, Breede River – 18 km. Monday 17th August – BREEDE RIVER MARATHON ENTRIES CLOSE. Saturday 22nd August – K2 – Alfies – Robertson, Breede River – 36 km. Sunday 23rd August – K2 – Robertson-Bonnivale, Breede River - 38 km. Saturday 29th August – K2 – Drew-Swellendam, Breede River – 38 km. Saturday 5th September – K2 – Breede River Marathon – Day 1 – 38 km.. Sunday 6th September – K2 – BREEDE RIVER MARATHON – Day 2 – 38 km. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2009 Berg River Canoe Marathon – 15 – 18 July, 2009. Congratulations to the winners, Hank McGregor and Robyn Kime. Also to Andre’ Collins and Giel van Deventer for completing their 40th Berg River Canoe Marathons. Congratulations to all the paddlers and their seconds. (Errata – a slip under Berg River stats. in last months newsletter – Andre’ Collins is also a multiple Berg River Champion, winning in 1972 and in again in 1978. My apologies, Andre - Ed.’) Go the www.berg.org.za for up-to-date information. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. International Results. # News from the overseas (France and Slovenia) World Cup Slalom events, paddled by local (U.C.T. student) Michael Watson (and Master Cele from KZN) is that although both paddled with grit and determination, S.A. is miles behind the canoe slalom world w.r.t. to training courses (man-made) and general back-up. Whilst Michael and Master are seldom able to get in more than 1 training session a week and on natural river courses, the European (and American) paddlers are professionals who train daily on the testing man-made courses available in those countries – Michael is also a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student at U.C.T. whilst Master holds down a full-time job, making it very difficult for them to compete against full-time pros. Nevertheless, huge experience was gained by them in Pau, France, where Michael registered a 65th place out of 75 entrants. Later on in Slovenia, Master joined him (he had passport problems) for the 2nd World Cup, in Bratislava. However, they were up against circumstances again – floods on the Danube had destroyed the man-made slalom course and it was only runnable 2 days before the event meaning that there was very little time to train on it. So, with only 2 training sessions under their belts, into the competition they went, Michael scoring 70th out of 80 entrants and Master, 45th out of 48 entrants. Well done to you both in this very difficult canoeing discipline and ‘alles van die beste’ for the forthcoming World Championships. Local Results. # S.A. Canoe Marathon Championships, Keurbooms River, Plettenberg Bay, 27th/28th June. This event was well attended by W.C.C.U. paddlers and a number of excellent results were recorded. The Guppy classes (under 8 to U12) did exceptionally well as did a number of the Junior, Senior and Masters paddlers. W.C.C.U. medal winners at the S.A. Canoe Marathon Championships in K1 events. Under 8 Boys – 1st Kelvin Swanepoel, 2nd Luc van der Westhuyzen - both Bridgehouse. Under 8 Girls – 1st Rebecca Meihuizen – Bridgehouse. Under 10 Girls – 1st Justine Williams – Paarl Under 10 Boys – 3rd Nicholas Howes – Bridgehouse. Under12 Girls – 1st Abigail Stubbs – Bridgehouse. U12 Boys – 1st Jean van der Westhuyzen, 2nd David Meihuizen, (both Bridgehouse) 3rd Bradley Ruiters (Paarl). Under 14 Girls – 3rd Martine Beukes (Paarl). Under 14 Boys– 1st Michael Farringer (Bridgehouse). Under 16 Girls - 2nd Melanie van Niekerk (Milnerton) Under 16 Boys – 3rd Ivan Kruger (Milnerton). Senior Women – 3rd Robyn Kime (Stellenbosch). Under 23 Women – 1st Robyn Kime (Stellenbosch). Veteran - Women – 3rd Lis Hart (Peninsula). Veteran – Men – 2nd Willem van Riet (jnr) (Stellenbosch). Sub Masters – Men – 1st Eugene van der Westhuizen (Milnerton) Sub Grandmasters – Men – 1st Rob MacLean (Peninsula). Grandmasters – Men – 1st Roel van Riet (Milnerton), 2nd Giel van Deventer (Paarl) W.C.C.U. winners at the S.A. Canoe Marathon Championships. in K2 events: Under 14 – 1st Michael Farringer/Daniel Pretorius (Bridgehouse), 3rd Daniel Buys/Michael Pretorius (Bridgehouse). Under 16 Girls – 2nd She-Earl DeWee/Marissa Pretorius (Paarl/Milnerton). Under 18 Girls – 3rd Melanie van Niekerk (Milnerton) and an East Cape paddle. Senior Women – 2nd Lindi-May Harmsen (Milnerton) and a KZN paddler. 3rd Robyn Kime/Jackie Barnes (Stellenbosch/U.C.T.). Under 23 Women – 1st Robyn Kime/Jackie Barnes (Stellenbosch/U.C.T.). Senior Men – 3rd Gavin White/Graeme Solomon (Peninsula). Veteran’s - Women – 3rd Nicola Callebaut/Gill Anderson (Milnerton/Peninsula) Master’s – Men – 3rd Ian Glass/Shaun Butler (Peninsula) Sub Grandmaster’s – Men – 1st Rob MacLean/Andre’ Rabie (Peninsula/Paarl). Grandmaster’s – Men – 1st Roelof van Riet/Andre’ Collins (Milnerton). W.C.C.U. congratulates all the above medal winners as well as those Cape paddlers who took part in the champs, even if they didn’t win any medals. # Congratulations to Dawid and Jasper Mocke who finished 1st and 2nd in the gruelling Scottburgh-Brighton surf ski marathon held on 19th July. With their finishing in 3 hours 45 minutes and 57 seconds and 3:46:46 respectively, they out-paddled most of the cream of S.A. surf skiers and even showed the current Durban World Cup winner, Clint Pretorius, a good view of their backs – that is, until he couldn’t see them any more! (At the Durban World Cup, 2 weeks earlier, Dawid Mocke came in 5th, Tom Schilperoot 6th, Jasper Mocke 8th – well done again). # In the Nandos Knysna Lagoon Challenge over 18 kms and held during the annual Knysna Oyster Festival, 19th July, a number of Cape paddlers carried the flag high for us – in the Top Ten were Gavin White (Peninsula) who came 2nd, Eugene van der Westhuizen (Milnerton) 3rd, Steve Farrell 6th and Rory Cole was 7th (both Peninsula). The first woman home was Jackie Barnes (U.C.T.). Well done to all of you and to all the other Cape paddlers who paddled either the 18km or the Fun 6 km event – my spies tell me that the Knysna Oyster Festival was again an awesome event and worthwhile going to, especially if you have a canoe or a ski to paddle. # Marina K2 mini Marathon, – Saturday 11th July (see W.C.C.U. website) # Olifants 2 day K1 race – Olifants River Valley, 25th/26th July. Citrusdal region (see W.C.C.U. website). Courses Assistance for Beginners For new paddlers who have been asking for some assistance in getting started. 5 Moves Ahead Canoe and Kayak Coaching If you are a beginner or serious about competition 5 Moves Ahead canoe and kayak coaching school can put you ahead of the rest. We offer a wide range of services including but not limited to: a beginner’s introduction to kayaking, flatwater and river proficiency programs, supervised group training sessions, personal coaching, mental preparation, and style assessment and coaching. For more detailed information please contact: Gregory van Heerden at
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or 082 940 9368 At Milnerton Canoe Club Kevin Goodspeed and Richard Kohler will be available on a Wednesday from 17h15 to 18h00 to help out. Please make use of their services – go to www.milnertoncanoeclub.og.za to link up. At Peninsula Canoe Club Flat water proficiency certificate programmes on Zandvlei – Contact Sean Rice on 072 064 1249 River proficiency certificate programmes on the Berg and Breede Rivers – Contact Rob MacLean on 082 496 8957 (Members of other clubs should contact their Chairpersons on this important issue). N.B. The C.S.A. Safety Booklet is now on the W.C.C.U. website – download and print it if you are interested – which you should be! ………………………………………………………………….. Smalls Your contributions are welcomed! Whatever you’d like to sell paddling-wise – please send to this section of YOUR newsletter. #2nd hand Wing Paddles x 2 – Canoe Concept ‘Twisters’ – good condition – R350 each #‘Flipper’ junior canoe –good condition - ideal for beginners from 3 to 8 years of age – R500. #‘Eskimo’ style junior canoe – mediocre condition – from 5 year to 11 years of age – R250. All of the above from Rob MacLean – 083 407 8957 or
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#Blue Cleaver Excalibur; good condition - R1500. #Orange/White Double ski – Fenn M millennium – Excellent condition. Adjustable rear pedals, front leg length fixed at 113cm measured from pedals to back of cockpit. R5000. #K2 Predator – Orange – good condition – R4000 #K1 Vajda – Orange – medium condition – R2000 For all the above boats, contact Vicky on 083 324 6465 or
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# Paddle Zone – white water paddling specialists . They have all the gear, kit and boats that you need for w/w kayaking. (They also have good second hand kayaks at excellent prices). View it all at their display shop at 21 Selous Road, Claremont, Cape Town. Phone 021- 683 1159. (Your contributions are welcomed! Whatever canoeing kit that you have and that you’d like to sell, advertise it here (for free!) or if you are looking for something in particular, ask here. Ed). ………………………………………………………………………………………… Items of Canoeing Interest. # Although this happened some time ago, I have only just heard about the passing of Nerina (Krige) de Reauville, of cancer, late last year. Nerina, who was the daughter of iconic Breede River paddler, Deon Krige, and married to canoeing legend, Herve’ de Reauville, was one of the 1st women in South Africa to win her National Colours for our sport. Whilst this is very late, our heartfelt condolences go out to the Krige and de Reauville families # Fish River Canoe Marathon – 2009. This years Fish will also be the S.A. K1 River Championships. Dates are Friday and Saturday, 2nd and 3rd October. Entry forms are on the website www.fishmarathon.org.za and there will be a ‘Fish’ surprise in the August edition of the ‘SA Paddler’. The organisers will also be conducting Fish River Marathon Road Shows around the country and will be in the Cape as follows: Paarl Canoe Club, Tuesday 18th August, Milnerton CC Wednesday 2nd September, Peninsula CC Tuesday 15th September and U.C.T. on Thursday 17th September. Check out their website for more details. # John Hishin of Drumbeat Photography will be following all the major canoeing events of the season and as many club events as possible. DVD’s and CD’s of all the pictures of the event are available from him at R100 a disc. Each disc contains high and low resolution pictures, which are suitable for both printing and internet use. Should any paddler wish to have personal profile pictures of themselves for marketing, sponsorship or personal use, John can be contacted in this regard. Should you wish to make use of John’s photographic talents, please contact him on
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or on his cell phone, 083 343 2598 # Directions to the next (W.C.C.U and other). races on the calendar , go to www.wpcanoe.org.za The Palmiet River Festival. – the “Original Adventure Festival in South Africa” on the weekend of 15th/16th August – go to the Gravity website for details – www.gravity.co.za – this is a ‘must’ weekend if you aren’t that wired into K2 racing. (A sort of “white-water” Woodstock! For those who remember, Woodstock was 40 years ago this year!!!). It offers/includes the following:- - Run by experienced adventure organizers, Andrew Kellett and Luke Powers. - Festival Hub at the Palmiet Caravan Park. - New event – surf ski paddle organized by Dawid Mocke. - New event – innovative short-course Adventure Race by Eugene Nel. - New Kayak event format – Kayak sprint race – race against the clock. - New Trail Run format – 4km, 12, km 21km courses – part of the well known Montrail-Capestorm Winter Trail series. - unbeatable accommodation package at the Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa – R500-00c/person sharing in their 5 star hotel – Bed and breakfast and access to their Spa facilities. # Canoeing Publications. The following book is one of the many ‘out there’ which may be of interest to W.C.C.U. paddlers. They tend to be available of the internet, so have a look for them on Amazon, Kalahari and Loot. ISBN numbers will also be supplied where possible. Other books will be reviewed and added to the list in future newsletters. (If you have a book that you would like to review and put into this newsletter, please do so and send it to me – it will be a pleasure to put it up - Ed). ‘Run the Rivers of Southern Africa’ by Celliers Kruger. Published by Fluid Designs and Dynamics (Pty) Ltd. ISBN no.: 0 620 28157 X. First edition 2001. All paddlers (canoeists/kayakers) would be well advised to get a copy of this excellent book. It features all the rivers that you know (and more) in Southern Africa and seeing that the author has paddled them all, he knows what he is talking about. It also features a hoist of excellent photos as well as maps of the rivers – i.e. how to get there and where they run as well as information on the class of river (section) it is, put-ins and take-outs and whether or not permits are required (or not), route descriptions, history, craft and warnings. Notwithstanding all this information, it is still a book that is good enough to be of the ‘Coffee Table’ variety and once you start paging through and reading it, I promise you that it will have you drooling!. The dust-cover splurb is as follows – ‘This book is a guide to the white-water rivers of Southern Africa, packed with awesome full-colour pictures. If you are white-water paddler, a K1 or K2 paddler, a commercial rafter, or even just curious about rivers and paddling, this book is for you. It will open your eyes to the amazing variety of paddling destinations available, from scenic cruises to technical creeks to big water magic. More than 140 sections on over 70 rivers are described, from short one-day to severe multi-day expedition trips. K2 and K2 paddlers will find their favourite rivers described and some more unknown ones, commercial rafters will get the information they need to go rafting, and kayakers will realise how many more rivers there are to run. Not only does Southern Africa have excellent white-water rivers, but also offers unspoilt natural areas to appreciate and cultures to experience. For many paddlers it is not only a sport to run rivers, but a lifestyle. For those who feel the spirit of the river in their veins, this book will be more than just an attractive source of information; it will become a source of inspiration. Above all, remember that running rivers only have one goal and one condition: to have fun, and to do it safely’. ‘Men, Rivers and Canoes’, by Ian Player. A SPECIAL OFFER! Valid until 7th August or whilst stocks last. Normal price = R240/book. Bacchus Books (Cape Town) are offering copies @ R120, provided a minimum of 5 books are ordered (and they’ll get them to you free of charge). This is a fascinating book on early days of canoeing in Natal, but worthwhile for every current paddler, so round up 4 mates and make an order. Contact Nisa on 021 448 9839 or email her on
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Ronnie Muhl, Cape Town’s conqueror of Mount Everest, has recently returned from climbing in the Asia Minor region – this is what he has to say: ‘When I return from a mountaineering expedition I am often asked why I put myself through the danger, hardship, cold and challenge of attempting to stand on the highest point of a peak somewhere in the world. I go to these remote regions of the world for many reasons and Jamling Tenzing Norgay, the son of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Everest in 1953 for the first time, captures some of my thoughts in his book Touching My Father's Soul extremely well. He writes: “One reason why people go into the mountains is to experience the purity of the five elements – air, sky, earth, water and fire. In the mountains, worldly attachments are left behind, and in the absence of material distractions, we are opened up to spiritual thought. When we look out at the ocean or gaze at the sky and the clouds, or even the rock wall of a mountain, it is difficult for our minds to form labels. What is it really that we are looking at? There is no real thing there – just colour and shape. And when we stop attaching labels to what we see, a sense of quietness flows in to fill the gap, bringing us a step closer to the understanding of emptiness.” He goes on to say “When climbing, the presence of mind that one needs in dangerous situations makes one naturally undistracted, and that undistractedness is what generates awareness and a feeling of being completely alive. Every action becomes meaningful because each movement is a matter of life and death.” I have learnt so much about myself and about life from being in the mountains, but perhaps we shouldn’t need to go to the mountains to visualize them. We should be attempting to carry the spiritual experience of the mountains with us everywhere, but above everything and all else, we should be attempting to carry everyday life with us’. May the forthcoming month of W.C.C.U. paddling events and the training for them work well for you. See you on the water. Rob MacLean Media Liaison – W.C.C.U. |
