GOHERE for some pics and directions

On Saturday 24^th July and starting at the Stellenbosch Hangbrug near the Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch, the Maties Canoe Club  will be hosting their annual Eerste River canoe race down the river as far  as Spier Estate (who will also be sponsoring the event). This 14 km event is possible thanks to water release from the Jonkershoek dam and given the narrowness of the river as well as its fast flow, it will be held on a time-lapse scenario, with canoes taking off from the start (in a seeded manner) every several seconds or so. As the Eerste River initially flows through Stellenbosch, it means that there are many excellent viewing spots for spectators to observe the paddlers ‘doing their thing’ and is a totally different situation to that which many paddlers would have experienced last week on the Windhoek Berg, when long hours of essentially flat water racing was in order.

Because of the many viewing spots for this race, photographing of the paddlers is encouraged as there are sure to be many opportunities for taking excellent photos.

On the Eerste River, paddlers will have to be wide-awake to the fast flow, the numerous overhanging tree branches, the roller-coaster rapids that the flow sets up, the weirs that in some cases can be portaged, in others, shot (it is important to be at the race briefing for this information) and some exciting rapids, in particular the ‘Stay Main Rapid’ (which features in the advert for the event. If you would like me to send the advert to you, please let me know – as it is carrying a large amount of memory, it’s probably not a good idea to send it to the entire media egroup) which is an exciting and exhilarating – and challenging – rapid to shoot. Certainly, the water below the rapid during last years Eerste River race looked liked a swimming gala was taking place!

With Spier as the sponsor and hospitality of the Wynlands well known, this promises to be another one of those races ‘not to miss’.

A warning though – paddle it in an old canoe. Based on the experience of many paddlers last year, those who started with new canoes ended with ones that looked decidedly ‘old’, but don’t let this put you off – it is a good race for any paddler to have in their CV.

Start: 10h00.

Start place – Hangbrug, Stellenbosch.

Ends – Spier Estate.

Distance – approx. 14 km.