Download full results HERE

The 2010 running of the annual K1 Olifants Canoe race, followed the lines of recent canoeing events held in the Cape as it was held in perfect weather in which to race a river on and what a river this is. Cold (of course) but crystal clear (drinkable too!), although at a slightly below medium level, meant that action was the order of the day where rapids, narrow Palmiet and sapling-lined channels caused the usual mayhem associated with this event. Several sections below rapids and ‘gangetjies’ resembled what the Midmar Mile looks like as canoeists, sans canoes, shot rapids and came out of ‘gangetjies’ in the ‘cocktail’ position looking for a place to beach, collect their canoes and paddles, before emptying (affecting repairs – some major, some minor) and paddling on. 

                          KING & QUEEN of the OLIFANTS(Heinricht Scholms & Robyn Kime)

Day 1 was particularly exciting in that it came down to a final sprint, when Richard Kohler (Milnerton and a Veteran), who had led for a good part of the race, was hunted down by new Protea paddler, Heinrich Schloms (Paarl), over the final flat section and pipped on the line. This was an excellent race for Kohler, who had wisely tripped  this section of the river, so knew the lines and ‘gangetjies’ to follow. In tripping this section, what he did was what all paddlers planning on doing this race should do, as, not only will it give an advantage, but it will also double the opportunity to paddle on one of the most picturesque, exciting and fun rivers in the Western Cape. Having tripped it, also means that there is far less likelihood of getting into ‘sticky’ situations (sticky as in nose of canoe stuck into Palmiet in a narrow channel!), something that happened to a number of (highly rated!) canoeists on the Olifants this year.

                                                      Ernest van Riet & Michael Watson

Robyn Kime (Maties) dominated that women’s section, even after losing time to help her younger brother, Lance, who spent several minutes checking out the crayfish population of the river and in doing so, damaged his canoe.

Grandmaster, Giel van Deventer (Paarl) continued to cement his title of “Old Man River’, by finishing in the Top Ten – an excellent achievement, which should give many, younger paddlers, the ‘gees’ to carry on (forever!) with this magical sport whilst at the other end of the scale, Junior paddler Daniel Buys (U16) had a good showing, coming in over in 17^th position.

                                                         Edgar Bohm & Mark Dykes

Day 2 of the race, which starts at Biesiesvlei and ends at the Citrusdal bridge, is not as technical as the day 1 section (Patrysberg to the start of the Clanwilliam dam), having many more pools to race across, but the ending confused more than just a few paddlers, when they ran out of water after taking what appeared to be the correct route, with the end point in sight! It also meant that fewer ‘swimming galas’ were held, fewer capsizes and a modicum of slip-riding was possible.

Overall, Heinrich Schloms took the title, ‘King of The Olifants’, to have his name inscribed on the left horn of the Viking helmet that gets placed on the head of the victor and Robyn Kime was able to make up the time lost whilst repairing her siblings canoe on Day 1 to romp home the women’s winner, claiming the title, ‘Queen of the Olifants’.

Congratulations to Milnerton CC for organizing another outstanding ‘Olifants’, and if you didn’t make it this year, then start planning  not for 2011 – you wont regret it.

Results, Top Ten.

1. Heinrich Schloms, Paarl – 3 hours 08 minutes 11 seconds

2. Richard Fly, Maties, 3:15:03

3. Richard Kohler, Milnerton – 3:15:06

4. Myhanrd Marais, Paarl – 3:21:05

5. Etienne Rawlinson, Mil – 3:30:41

6. Frohann Visser, Maties – 3:33:27

7. Ian Glass, Peninsula – 3:35:00

8. Duncan McIvor, Pen – 3:35:09

9. Paul Moxley, Pen – 3:36:41

10. Giel van Deventer, Prl – 3:39:56

Senior Women

1. Robyn Kime, Maties – 3:54:13 (25^th overall)

2. Robyn Henderson, Mil – 3:58:39 (28^th)

3. Lisa Scott, Mil – 4:23:21 (34^th)

Juniors

1. Daniel-Louis Buys, Paarl – 4:48:03 (17^th)

U21.

1. Lance Kime, Maties – 3:50:26 (22^nd)

2. Robyn Kime, Maties – 3:54:13. (25^th)

3. Alexander Antrobus, UCT – 5:15:05 (48^th)

Sub Veterans

1. Daan du Toit, Mil – 3:40:40. (11th)

2. Paul Roos, Simonstown – 3:48:35 (18th)

3. Roelf van der Merwe, WHR – 3:49:53 (20th)

Veterans

1. Richard Kohler, Mil – 3:15:06 (3^rd)

2. Frohann Visser, Maties – 3:33:27 (6^th)

3. Duncan McIvor, Pen – 3:35:09 (8^th)

Sub Masters

1. Mynhardt Marais, Prl – 3:21:05 (4^th(

2. Paul Moxley, Pen – 3:36:41 (9^th)

3. Etienne Buys, Prl – 3:46:19 (15^th)

Masters

1. Ian Glass, Pen – 3:35:00 (7^th)

2. Neil Bartie, Prl – 3:47:59 (16^th)

3. Daantjie Malan, Maties – 3:49:35 (19^th)

Sub Grandmasters

1. Shaun Butler, Pen – 3:41:49, (12^th)

2. Peter Mager, Prl – 4:43:05 (38^th)

3. Rene Boehm, SIM – 5:32:10 (53^rd)

Grandmasters.

1. Giel van Deventer, Prl – 3:39:45 (10^th)

2. Gerfried Nebe, Pen – 3:50:25 (21st)