All dams are different, and Emmarentia is actually very small, which has its pros and cons. Sadly we can’t host a straight 1 kilometre sprint, but we can see everyone out on the water all the time, so with our wonderful clubhouse Dabs was the perfect venue for the mad 50 & 100 Miles challenges of 84 & 168 laps in 12 & 24 hours respectively, with the rule being that at the start of each hour participants had to complete 6.7km within the hour, then rest with whatever time was left before the next session starting on the hour mark.
21 brave souls put their hands up and entered the 100 Miles, some hard core men bowed out, and only 13 would complete all 168 laps. Almost all started out in racing snake K1’s. Some transitioned to surfskis for stability in the dark, while others jumped into K2’s and even K3’s for some company, to change things up and because as it is said: “If you want to go far, go together.” Some got giddy while going in so many circles and Rob Crichton and Woody Wilson were seen feeding the fish in the middle of the night. All were exhausted; Matt Fenn nodded off and nearly swam at hour 13, but found a second wind. MJ recorded the slowest session of those that finished, he needed almost an hour to do 6.7 km in his 22nd session. Luke Salmon and Nick Notten put down the fastest 6.7km session of 32 minutes; incredibly this was in the 23rd hour of the event. The oldest finisher, Ryno Armdorf said he saw donkeys flying in the dark. Well done to Nhlamulo Mahwayi, the youngest finisher and thanks to the boys who came all the way from Slummies: Matt & Josh Fenn and Tyde Malherbe, who couldn’t believe the night got so cold at Emmarentia and spent most of his recovery time between sessions wrapped up in a space blanket. Most said the toughest time was between two and five am, and then they weren’t even halfway through their challenge. Brad Boulle said that paddling felt easier than waiting on the side at times, and he didn’t sleep at all – who knew adrenaline could last so long? Rob Crichton, known for enjoying ultra silly stuff, was a bit extra and added a 42km run into his 100 Miles.
Word was that the daytime option was tough but quite doable. Emma Hatfield was the only paddler from Pretoria and the only lady to do all her laps in a K1. Caren commented on the camaraderie and the gees, saying the singing, the chatting and the banter was awesome; she was lost for words but over the moon with pride for the event as a whole. Dan McLachlan quoted Nietzsche: “Those who dance are thought to be insane by those who cannot hear the music.” Was there music? Apparently yes, and flying donkeys too, or were they dancing?
100 Miles
o Luke Salmon
o Nick Notten
o MJ Robb
o Rob Crichton
o Ryan Rodda
o Tyde Malherbe
o Matt Fenn
o Josh Fenn
o Sibusiso Zulu
o Benji Mntonintshi
o Brad Boulle
o Ryno Armdorf
o Nhlamulo Mahwayi
50 Miles
o Dan McLachlan
o Richard Cook
o Karen Field
o Renschi van Zyl
o Emma Hatfield
o Gareth Barberton
o Wayne Jacobs (Night)
o Thabani Msia
o Colin Wilson (Night)
o Matthew Cockram
o Pierro Ioppo (Night)
o Kyle Armdorf
Till next time. Go Dabs!