Dabs kicked of 2024 by hosting the Dambusters, which was a great success. We had almost 100 entries, the sharp end racing was exciting and the weather was glorious, so it was a fine way to spend a Sunday morning. Participants were given 4 different options of paddling or paddling and running, but the main race was an 8km paddle on Emmies, a 3km run with one’s boat, in and around the Spruit and then a 7km paddle. At the takeout there were 3 men’s combos in contention for the main race, but Alex & MJ got a gap on the portage and then held it to take the win over Wayne & Bruno while Jack & Luke were third. The main lady’s race was won by Sarah and Karen Field followed by Renschi and Elandri while the main Mixed Doubles race was won by Kai and Lynn. The Guppy Boy’s race was won by Rio, followed by Phamna and then Kaylen while Aara won the Girls race. Well done to all; including the softer supporters who opted to not run with their boats, and to those who opted not to run at all. Thanks to the sponsors and the Lynca Meat braai-masters for the awesome pregos, thanks to the marshals, the guides and the water table peoples, and thanks to the Morning School for organizing the event – it really was a great start to our paddling year.
Find images of the race on our Facebook page.
Down in KZN it was the Ozzie Gladwin, a Dusi seeding race that starts with 4km on the Albert Falls Dam before a tough 1km run down to the Upper Umgeni for 21km of river which includes a fun weir, some tree blocks and some testing rapids. The race was won by Msawenkosi Mtolo and Sbonelo Khwela who just beat SCARCs Siseko and Banetse. The reigning Dusi champion Andy Birkett who will paddle with Matt Fenn this year, wasn’t there. In the women’s race, Abby Solms and Jessica Behn were too strong for Hilary Bruss and Bridgitte Hartley while in the Mixed Doubles and it was Pippa & Hank Mc Gregor who took the MD win (despite a swim), edging ahead of Emma & Brad Boule at the finish.
Talking about Hank, the news is that he won’t be defending his Umko title with Wayne in March. 2024 is an Olympic year and the week after Umko it’s the SA Sprints. Nick Weeks & Chrisjan Coetzee have qualified a K2 for the 500m event in Paris, and now the likes of Hank & Uli and Andy & Hamish (accomplished marathon racers) are wanting to see if they can win locally and get to go to France and the Olympics in July. Nick, who focuses solely on sprints, has welcomed the competition. GCU are hosting the SA Sprints at VLC and Nick & Christjan would most likely welcome some Dabs support. PS: Wayne now needs an Umko partner…
On Saturday it’s the GCU Sprint Championships at VLC – so if you also want to challenge for a spot at the Olympics, or if you just want to test your mettle, you probably need to start there. For river paddlers, there’s the 50-Miler from Dusi Bridge to Mfula Store on Saturday (which is 26 kilometers, not 50 miles) on Saturday and then the Inanda Dam to Durban race on Sunday which will give paddlers an idea of what to expect day 2 and 3 of the Dusi. For beginners Peter Geach will be doing proficiency tests on the Vaal, from Goose Bay to Likkewaan. The weekend after that it’s the Drak Challenge and then it’s the Triology Dash at Dabs on the 3rd of February. Lots to keep us busy in the next few weeks; and lots more awaiting for 2024.