The last weekend of October saw one of the SA’s finest river races being run at the same time as one of SA’s finest surfski races. Over half a dozen of the Dabs guys who went up to the Lowveld Croc were at last year’s Pete Marlin, even though they were back markers at both, and then there were many proper paddlers in East London who have yet to prove themselves on the Croc, so maybe next year….
Following on from The World Surfski Champs last weekend in Durban the salty sea dog people moved down to East London to contest the Biogen Pete Marlin. On the Saturday 235 singles finished the 22km from Orient Beach to Yellow Sands in what were relatively mild and tame conditions with a small wave or two to beat on the way out, not too much in the way of wind or swell to help on the way home and no massive surf coming into Yellows either, but cutting the point is always dicey.
Andy Birkett, who most associate with Rivers and winning the likes of Dusi and Drak Challenge (he also won the Lowveld Croc) – and more recently with Marathons and even the Olympics – made a massive statement in taking a win at sea in his home town, with last year’s winner Nic Notten coming second. Aussie Oscar Jones was third, Matt Fenn fourth and Dawid Mocke was fifth. In the ladies, New Zealand’s Dani Richards reversed the World Champs result to edge out Kira Bester with last year’s winner Jade Wilson coming third. Rosie Edwards was fourth and Melanie van Niekerk was fifth. First from the Transvaal Navy was the newly enlisted able seaman Sibusiso Zulu followed by Benji Cockram, just ahead of Brad Fish while Rash Konyn was fourth. Karen Field was our only lady paddler, beating a couple of our old boys. The easiest way to find most of our friends results was to go to the last page and scroll up, but that’s mainly because we don’t have a sea to train on; although having said that many of our people who went to the Croc were reminded that they need to train on rivers for rivers. Anyway, although our Crew was somewhat smaller this year, Mr. Flemmer Snr still organized the traditional Navy Gin Storm at Yellows, which then blurred into the braai at bar back in Nahoon, and this took its toll on our one Mixed Double Crew…
The second day of the Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race saw 121 doubles paddling 17km from Nahoon Beach to Yellow Sands in conditions that were tamer than the day before, but Karen got (sea?) sick and had to abandon ship leaving Raoul to do the last 10kms on his own, so all alone, he came stone last, but they were credited with a finish. The best of our bunch was Moolies Moolman with Jason Eckstrand. They just missed the top 20. Then it was Chris Visser & Sibusiso (who won the Mark Feather Trophy as the first TVL crew), then Brad Fisher with Shane Roach, followed John Rash Konyn with James Stutterheim, who just beat Tex & Gary. Then it was Bruce & Tim followed by Flem Dog & Flem Pup. Fem Pup has finally done a Pete Marlin! Well done boys and girl.
At the sharp end, Andy Birkett teamed up with his Dusi partner Matt Fenn for his second win on the weekend, while Mark Keeling & Dawid Mocke edged out Australians Oscar Jones & Brendan Rice. Josh Fenn joined Matt as a race winner by partnering Holly Smith to victory in the mixed doubles, while Kira Bester & Jade Wilson took the ladies win ahead of van Niekerk and Richards. Talking winning, once again Charl and his team put on a winning event in East London. If you have never been, you really should, it’s a fine weekend of fun. Brad Fish will be recruiting for next year.
A fine weekend of fun was also had by (most of) those who went to the Lowveld Coc. Here we need to thank Piers and his small team who keep on pulling this event together. Without him it would probably do a disappearing act like the Ithala, which would be a real tragedy – but it seems they are making it stronger and stronger. Piers won in 2019 and now knows the river better than even that late great Paul Hay who grew up on the Carisbrook rapid, but Piers gave up racing to keep the event alive. Respect.
What a beautiful part of our country, what a river, what a challenge. While there are several technical and testing rapids, it’s mostly made up of lots of little ones, which make this river so much fun. But sadly, hippo do create the concern of another type of tragedy. In the early years the river was raced from just above the Montrose Falls down to Nelspruit in a one day event, but the section below Montrose became infested with hippos and in the mid to late eighties the course was moved upriver, and the Croc became a two day race ending just above the Falls. Then that lower day two section also became infested and so it is that the race is now just on the top section below the Kwena Dam. Unfortunately, while Amy and Luke they came across hippo wallowing in a pool above Carisbrook, so Piers had to create a second hippo portage which then played a part in determining the winner.
Piers had gone off before the start on race day to scout for hippo and to mark out the new portage but was still busy when Clint arrived. This cost Clint some time and gave Brad a bit of an advantage, and Brad then ended up winning by just 8 seconds. Clint settled for second place and the Sportsmanship Award, while Jack de Swart was third, making it an all Dabs podium. Brad, like Clint in 2024, also won the first novice award. Siseko was fourth and Alan Houston (one of a squad of 5 from KZN) was fifth. Rounding off the top 10 were Wayne, Benji M, Rob, MJ and Puc. In the middle order it was good to see some young senior paddlers like Daniel, Frank and Regan, we need these guys to keep river races alive. There were also several Dabs paddlers in the bottom 10, but we avoided the wooden spoon here, perhaps because Levick wasn’t there. Well done to Amy Hulett and Emma Hatfield, the only lady finishers. Amy fell out while drifting down to the start weir, swam back into her boat like it was a surf ski, casually put her splashy back on, shot the weir and then went on to claim her third consecutive Croc Crown. Respect! 55 hopefuls started and 48 finished, but all who went, including the seconds, had a great weekend and got home with many a tale to tell. Well done to all for supporting this great race.
Thank you to the long standing TRAC sponsor along with the new sponsor Mbizane (the lovely luxury lodge down the road from the finish where prize giving was held) and Canoe Concepts for the very generous prizes.
What a weekend of paddling! Hopefully these two great races won’t be on the same weekend again – and hopefully the likes of Andy Birkett (2011 winner) will get his racing snake mates to try and see if they can join the long list of legendary names inscribed on the iconic Lowveld Croc trophy.
Next up – the 10 in 1 on Thursday. Don’t be scared!
Till next time – Go Dabs!