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If ever there was a reason to canoe the rivers of the Western Cape and in particular, the Breede River in Boland/Klein Karoo region in the Worcester/Robertson region, then the 'Rooiberg Nekkies to Eilandia' K2 canoe race over 27 km, held on Saturday 5th August, 2011, would have been that reason.

Why? Because, there on a beautiful river, flowing at approximately 20 cumecs (i.e. medium to full) and under the soaring, snow-capped peaks of the Hex, Riviersonderend and Langeberg mountain ranges, set off against the brilliant blue of a cloudless sky and with virtually no wind, more than 100 paddlers lined up (albeit in chilly early morning conditions), to race the first of the WCCU K2 season doubles races that culminate in the Breede River Canoe Marathon on 3rd/4th September.

 Steve Farrell/Nic Burden (pic by T anderson)

Paddling under such condirons could only ever have one result - an overwhelming sense of achievement, 'bonhomie' and satisfacton of having made the commitment to rise early to be out on the Breede for a 10h30 start, to end it between 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes later and then to savour the result of the paddle at the exquisite Rooiberg Wine Cellars on Route 62 - I mean, just what more could anyone ask of a Saturday?

For the paddling purists, there were also a coupole of new K2 combinations that look more than just exciting and which could seriously  challenge the tried and test partnerships that have ruled Breede River races in recent seasons.

Recent 'import' to the Cape, KZN's Nic Burden, who by his own admission, is looking for a reason why he should settle in the Cape (what about yesterday's river racing conditions, Nic?) - he is also holds National Canoeing colours - teamed up with Peninsula's Steve Farrell, who is making a canoeing comeback, whilst Matie student, Lance Kime has teamed up with Century City's Scott Rutherford, a fomer Junior National paddler, forming two dynamic new K2 duo's for this season. In addition, although they didn't race yesterday, are Peninsula's Edgar Boehm jnr and Alasdair Glass, joining these two new crews to challenge the top K2 combination from the 2010 season - Milnerton's Lance King and Paarl's Heinrich Schloms. A seemingly noticeable omission to challenge King and Schloms is that of Graeme Solomon, but paddling pundits needn't be concerned - Solly will be paddling the Breede River Marathon this year with KZN's Ant Stott, his National K2 partner to the World Canoe Marathon Championships in Spain in 2010, so will contest the day races up until the marathon in his K1, unless Stott is able to get down for a weekend. With the abovementioned crews in mind, an exciting tussle is anticipated in those races over the next month of paddling when they go head-to-head.

Yesterday's race got off to a flying start with Farrell/Burden, Kime/MaClaren, King and Solomon in K1's, Herbert Conradie/Gary Cromie (Paarl/SOS) and the Paarl Juniors, Luke Stowman and Diviono Pietersen comprised the leading bunch blitzing to the first obstracle - the aptly named 'Wake-Up' rapid, some 800m into the race - which forced some to hold back on entering it to prevent any carnage if too many canoes went for the narrow gap that this drop consists of at the same time. This effectively split the bunch, Farrell/Burden, Kime/MaClaren, King and Solomon coming through it together, Conradie/Cromie and Stowman/Pietersen having to play catch-up in the long pools over the next 4 kms down to the 2nd set of rapids - the 'S' Bend - and then through the tight right and left turns taking paddlers down to the weir, which at this higher level, could be shot and where the leading 3 boats of Farrell/Burden, Kime MaClaren and King consolidated, with Conradie/Cromie, Solomon and the Paarl juniors, though being off the pace, neverthless hanging on mere metres behind the leading racing chevron.

This is how it continued for the leading bunch through 'Lovers' Lane' Rapid, under the R43 high level bridge (9 kms into the race) and into the channels below the renowned 'High Africa' river operator camp, leading down to Alfiesdrift low level bridge. At Alfiesdrift and with 11 km to go, the 2nd bunch was shaken off, leaving 3 canoes to contest the final result which saw King edge home in his K1, when Farrell/Burden opted to take the channel to the left of the island at Eilandia and the finish line, proving to be a mistake as the right-hand channel that King took, was that which retained the main flow of the river. Kime/MacLaren came steaming in 2 seconds after Burden/King whilst Conradie/Cromie came home in 4th spot, with Solomon, in his K1, on their slip for 5th. The Paarl juniors (Stowman/Pietersen) were 6th, followed by Grandmasters winners, Enslin van Riet/Rob MacLean (Pen/Mil), the first mixed double of Tom Schilperoodt/Samantha Murray (Pen/Pen), 8th , first Masters, Ian Glass/Shaun Butler (Pen/Pen) 9th whilst the second mixed doubles pairing of Ian Trautmann/Natasha Bracale (Pen/Pen) completed the 'Top 10' places.

The mixed doubles competiton, always producing great competition on Breede Rivers races, was just that until approximately 12 1/2 km in to the race, when Schilperoodt/Murray and Trautmann/Bracale, took an incorrect channel, causing them to have to turn around and back-track out. This allowed Schilperoodt/Murray the chance to break away from Trautmann/Bracale and catch the slip of van Riet/MacLean, Glass/Butler just beyond Alfiesdrift, whilst the 3rd mixed double home, in 12th place overall, was the temporary Peninsula pairing of Alasdair Glass/Shannon MacLean. The anticipation of the competiton in this class having its' ante' upted will no doubt come when Robyn Kime/Mike Owen (Maties/Maties) as well as Chris de Waal/Lisa Scott (Mil/Mil) line up on the waters of the Breede over forthcoming weekends and which will no doubt produce very interesting results as well as interesting racing experiences on the river too!

Tom Schilperoodt/Samatha Murray (pic by T Anderson

The Senior Women's entry for the race was disappointing, but perhaps they are saving it for the Wyzerdrift race on Tuesday 9th August - National Women's Day?! - as well as the more main-stream Breede River races leading up to the marathon. This category was won by the Peninsula crew of Liz Hart/Romy Findlay (who were also the 1st Women's Veteran's home) in 20th position overall. The second lady home, was Elgin's Donna Kamstra in a K1, followed by the 2nd double of Marisa Pretorius/She-Earl de Wee (Mil/Paarl).

 Lis Hart/Romy Findlay (pic by T anderson)

In the Junior categories, the 1st K2 across the line was that one paddled by Luke Stowman/Diviono Pietersen (Paarl/Paarl), followed by Michael Pretorius/Daylin Basson (Mil/Pen) and in 3rd spot were the girls already mentioned, Marisa Pretorius/She-Earl de Wee (Mil/Paarl).

The U21 division was won by Lance Kime/Sturat MaClaren (Maties/Cty), followed by Mike Hay/Troy Haworth (Maties/Maties) and in 3rd, Allen Clark/Tamika Haw (Maties/Maties).

Results:
Top 10.

1. Lance King, Mil, 1 hour 40 minutes 23 seconds.

2. Steve Farrell/Nic Burden, Pen/KZN, 1:40:26

3. Lance Kime/Suart MaClaren, Maties/Cty, 1:40:28

4. Herbert Conradie/Gary Cromie, Paarl/SOS 1:42:51

5. Graeme Solomon, Pen, 1:42:53

6. Luke Strowman/Diviono Pietersen, Prl/Prl, 1:43:46

7. Enslin van Riet/Rob MacLean, Mil/Pen, 1:45:56

8. Tom Schilperoodt/Samatha Murray, Pen/Pen, 1:45:58

9. Ian Glass/Shaun Butler, Pen/Pen, 1:45:59

10. Ian Trautmann/Natasha Bracale, Pen/Pen, 1:51:34

Senior Women

1. Lis Hart/Romy Findlay, Pen/Pen, 1:55:13

2. Donia Kamstra, EVP, 1:59:47

3. Marisa Pretorius/She-Earl de Wee, Mil/Paarl, 1:5949

Juniors

1. Luke Stowman/Diviono Pietersen, Prl/Prk, 1:43:46

2. Michael Pretorus/Daylin Basson, Mil/Pen, 1:54:12

3, Marisq Pretorius/She-Earl de Wee, Mil/Prl, 1:59:49

U21

1. Lance Kime/Stuart MaClaren, Maties/Cty, 1:40:28

2. Mike Hay/Troy Haworth, Maties/Maties, 1:52:13

3. Allen Clark/Tamika Haw, Maties/Maties, 1:58:07

Sub Veterans

1. Graeme Solomon, Pen, 1:42:53

Veterans

1. Herbert Conradie/Gary Cromie, Prl/SOS, 1:42:51

2. Duncan McIvor/Mike Duffus, Pen/Pen, 1:53:07

3. Lis Hart/Romy Findlay, Pen/Pen, 1:55:13

Sub Masters

1. Kevin Bouwer/Adam Whittington, Mil/Mil, 1:52:59

2. GlenTureb, Pen, 1:54:12

3. Ommund Sivertsen, Pen, 1:58:43

Masters

1. Ian Glass/Shaun Butler, Pen/Pen, 1:45:59

2.Daantjie Male/Anton Truter, Maties/Mil, 1:54:11

3. Chris Logan, Mil, 1:55:03

Sub Grandmasters

1. Gavin Finch/Colin McClement, Cty/Cty, 1:55:15

Grandmasters

1. Enslin van Riet/Rob MacLean, Mil/Pen, 1:45:56

2. Giel van Deventer, Prl, 1:55:14

3. Edgar Boehm snr/Mert Black, Pen/Pen, 2:10:54

Super Masters (over 70's) - should be called Super Legends.