The Dabs Darlings and Scarc Sistas celebrated Women’s Day at the club with 70 ladies attending. The event was sponsored by NCS, Mace and Interwaste which included a fine breakfast, interesting motivational and health speakers and lots of fun and games. Two new boats were donated to the girls along with gift packs including toiletries, sports-bras and toys. The Darlings also launched their nice new sports shirts at the event. Well done to the committee for organizing this, and thank you to the sponsors for their generous support.
Our Dynamic and Darling Drie also organised a trip to the Tugela 20’s with the main aim being to help our ladies improve their river skills and up their ratings. The event was billed as an SA School’s race and although over 100 (mostly young) paddlers were there, Dabs had the best club turnout with 25 of us (mostly oldies) supporting, for which we were well recognised and thanked. At a school level we had only 2 girls competing; Alexia came 2nd in the U16 K1’s while Sarah came 5th in the U18’s. First home from Dabs was Claudia in a K2 with Anya. First Dabs male K1 was Mo Patel; some 10 minutes ahead of Kevin H and then Flem Pup was third. Yoh Mo! First Dabs female home was Karen Field, who was just 10 seconds ahead of Michelle H, and then Cally H was third. They said they weren’t racing. In the middle of the field we had the likes of Pippa, Gabby, Kirsty, Dorette, Renschi, Daryl and Richard being shepherded by Gunther and Matt B in K1’s while Bob and Kate, Chucky and Michelle were in K2’s. Then at the back of the field we had Geachie, Caren, Tarryn, and Clive. They also said they weren’t racing. Although there were several who had swimming and emptying exercises, the weather was really warm, the water wasn’t cold and there was no wind, which made for two really pleasant days of paddling. Plus there was some drinking in the evenings, around a big bonfire fed by Kevin, Chuck and Doogie while Puppy sang for us (and his beer). Although Tarryn wasn’t in a hurry on the river, she was extremely grateful to Gunther who was really fast on the road and raced her back to Jo’burg as she only just caught her flight to Cape Town. On that, sincere thanks to all the divers / seconds / photographers; Pierre, Leanne, Clive S, Grant and Doogie.
All said it was a fantastic weekend, and all learnt some valuable lessons. While it was great to be out on a river again, the Liebensberg is far more fun, and we hope to see you there.