Thursday night saw the last of the 2024 SolaSafe Dabulamanzi Mixed League races and we had a great turn out with 20 boats competing. The Lowveld Croc winners, Clint and Amy teamed up to claim this one, followed by Rob and Jess, with Alex and Sarah coming third. Lesedi and partner were the first U18’s, while Phineas and Alexi won the Solasafe Lucky Draw vouchers of smash ‘n grab protection for vehicles. The Trophy for the overall winners of the Series is to be presented at the Dabs Awards Evening. Thank you to the sponsors Allen Needham and Solasafe – the specialists in window tinting for homes offices and vehicles – visit them in Randburg.
Congratulations to Basti on getting married – he is now half a Saffa. As a special treat Basti was given a Yard of Ale. Steve Jourdan tells us that the record for downing a Yard is 11seconds, held by the ex-Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawkes while he was at Oxford. It’s only 1.4lt, so easy peasy for Puppy, but Basti battled and needed lots of help and encouragement. There was also a little bit of love shown, and some rum consumed, for Jason Howell who was out from London. As julle weet, Dabulamanzi is way more than just a Canoe Club. Talking drinking, the 10 in 1 is coming soon – have you started training?
In surfski news, Raoul loaded the SCARC bus with some Navy recruits including Basti, Dani, Hardi, Riaz, Correl and Benji and took them to the Vaal Dam for a Sunday funday. With gale force winds of 30knots they enjoyed 15kms of downwind but when they had to turn into the wind, some of the fleet had to seek shelter. Fortunately Ndrik was seconding and found them, taking cover deep inside enemy territory. All are reportedly home and in good spirits.
At the end of November it’s the 75th Vaal Marathon. 75 years old, wow, and long may it last. Thank you to ADG and Gregg Mandy for sponsoring this iconic race again – we hope it will get lots of our support, enter now! Next up it’s the Halloween TT – so get ready to get dressed up to go Trick or Treating. Till next time. Go Dabs!