The weekend’s games started far away on the beautiful island of Maderia at the ICF Ocean Racing World Champs, with the expectations of great downwind racing. In the end the course conditions were kak; but apart from Raoul who needed 2hrs 42 to do the 21km (2km out, 6km downwind, and 13km into wind and current) not too many of the SA contingent complained and there was a healthy haul of medals. In the Senior Men’s race the German, Gordan Harbrecht proved to be strongest and won comfortably ahead of Aussie Cory Hill, with Hank claiming Bronze. Not the Gold he wanted but still an incredible performance at 46, beating much younger guys and former winners like Kenny Rice and Nic Notten. Matt Fenn had a great day out coming 4th overall and first U23, while Uli Hart was 3rd U23. Sam Mocke won the Junior Men’s and Heath Clarke was second to add to the SA medal tally. In the ladies, Michelle Burn won the Senior Women’s with Melanie Van Niekerk coming second, although the U23 Kira Bester was the first and fastest of all the ladies, winning the U23 with Saskia Hockley coming third in the U23’s. The win of the weekend went to young Georgia Singe, almost 9 minutes ahead of Holly Smith in a time that would have placed her 4th in both the U23 Ladies and in the Senior Ladies. While none of our senior stars contested the Doubles race on Saturday (when there was almost no wind or swell), our younger stars came out to play. Hats off to Uli and Georgia who won over all (bettering the best senior men’s time), winning Gold in the U23 MD category. Georgia also won two Silvers at Metrovic, so she is surely SA’s finest paddling prospect. Perhaps we should get her to study in Jhb and join Dabs? Matt Fenn and Saskia Hockley paddled in the Senior MD category where they were 3rd while the sister and brother combo of Holly and Ryley Smith won the Junior MDs. In total, Team SA won 16 medals, 7 Gold, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze; well ahead of Spain with 11 medals and then Portugal with 5. Well done to our only Navy representative Raoul; he’ll be on a drive to change this at next years event.
Staying with surfski, we wait to see what conditions will be served up at the Pete Marlin next month and who will shine brightest. For those who want to paddle in a World Champs but can’t afford a trip overseas, the ICF World Ocean Racing committee (led by Sir Colin Simpkins) are for the first time ever, bringing the event to South Africa in 2025. Hopefully Durban will provide home town advantage for Hank to get that elusive Gold. And hopefully the organizers will use the (fantastic) commentators and drones from the Metković Marathon Champs because as annoying as the lengthy ad breaks were for the Maderia event, they were better than the live coverage which we had to pay for.
Then there were a few different home games on the Sunday – starting with the time trial, followed by an auction, then a bit of padel, then a braai, and then some SUP’ing and some swimming, all washed down with some cooldrinks, under the warm summer sun. Much fun was had by those who got involved, and some also got lucky – at the boat sale.
The artful auctioneer Bryan Slater sold over 40 boats in under an hour. Some went in seconds for as little as R100, but he encouraged bids for the better buys which included a brand-new Sniper that went for just R3500, an almost new Kronos for R6000 and a carbon kevlar Medusa for R8500. Watching Clive get outbid by Karen on an Epic paddle was priceless. Well done to Kirsty, Caren, Gary, Sydwell and Scatter for their hard work in making the Dabs Boat Auction the success it was.
Meantime Lloyde Hanson had booked out the courts at Pirates (his other home) allowing family and friends of paddlers to play padel and much fun was had by young and old alike. It was clear who had played before and who had not, although when interviewed, everyone claimed to have won. The barman also said he was a winner with his beer sales.
Well played Llyode. What’s up next? Perhaps a Golf Day; will all interested people with bags full of expensive sticks and small white balls please speak to Elandrie.
While the padel players were posing for pics, Brent Fairly from Lynca Meats was back at the club slaving over a hot fire; preparing a fine feast for all. We should however note that braaiing with a beer while talking meat is his happy space, and he proudly told all about exactly what he supplies to the likes of Woolworths. Even the people from the Fresh Earth Food Vegetable Store were seen to be enjoying his beautiful boerie. Thanks to Brent, his handlangers and Lynca Meats and well done to Brad Breetzke for pulling this all together.
Then there was the SUP racing. Ladies first, Elandrie won ahead of a stacked field while in the Senior Men’s, Clint cut the competition off to take the win; and then there was some swimming – and a few more Gins.
Yet another great day at The Finest Canoe Club In The Whole Dam Universe! This Saturday there’s the Dabs Dash and then it sounds like lots of the lads are off to the Lowveld Croc – get involved and have some fun.
Till next time – Go Dabs!