From rocky river racing down in the Umkomaas valley to speedy sprints on Roodeplaat Dam our guys and girls have been flying the Dabs flag high.
After last year’s near flood conditions, the 2026 StihlUmkomaas served up relatively low levels of 1.2m on day 1 and 1.1m on day 2, but regardless of the level, the Umko is always a radical test – although with the lower levels itbecomes more of a technical test, and a wrong line leaves one high and dry, or worse. Where the 2025 race saw Hank & Wayne finish day 1 just 3 seconds ahead of Matt & Brad, this year Matt & Brad took a lead of almost 9 minutes on Hank & Wayne after the first day. Simply put, they had the better lines. Then on the more testing day 2, with the elapsed time format, they paddled a solo time trial to end up winning by some 17 minutes. So it seems they were way stronger too. Well done boys. Behind them Hank & Wayne were caught by the U18’s James Gotte & Keegan Voght, and in the end they held on to their overnight second place by just 4 seconds. Is this the end of Hank & Wayne’s Umko reign? Hank has 12 wins, Robbie Herreveld 9, Paul Chalupsky 7, Deon Bruss 6, while Wayne is on 5. The young guns of Matt & Brad will surely want more, while the schoolboys will only get stronger; but you can’t write off Hank or Wayne – so the 2027 Umko will be interesting…
Ten guys from Emmies were in the top ten boats. Rob & MJ Robb were 5th, Siseko & John Barrow were 8th, followed by Matt B & Garden Boy and then Sibusiso & Neil Barrow. Next home from Dabs was Luke with Amy as 1st U23 and 3rd Mixed Double, then Ethan & Troy, then Belkie with MB, then Darryn & Kevin and then Geachie, Jen & Nic Roodt as the first K3 home. Jen is still over the moon – saying it was just so much fun and that Geachie drove like a rock star. We are not sure if the rock bit was a pun or not – but well done to all who were tested by and conquered the low, rocky levels. Congrats also to ex-Dabs man Copper Simpkins on completing 40 consecutive Umko’s (including a win in 1986) – an incredible feat, although one or two were not happy with his 2025 finish.
Some said the 2026 river was too low and didn’t go, others simply didn’t show – and they missed out on what must be one of the most special river races in the world. Sorry boys. As one of the old KZN guys said: “What a privilege to enjoy this wild pristine valley.” Well done to Scott Rogers and his team on another successful one, and thanks to Stihl and Super Bock for their continued support in making this eventpossible.
While all that was happening, the GCU Sprints took place at Roodeplaat on a cold, grey and rainy day. Our youngsters,including a strong contingent from SCARC, dominated all the junior age groups. Kyle wiped the floor across the age groups winning the 5000m overall. Rio was very strong in all his events, winning the shorter ones and showing the seniors his class in the 5000m while Asher Wilson won all the events in his age group. Bruno was comfortably the class of his age group, Kayla showed up strong in her new U23 age group,while Alexa won the races she participated in. Amongst our oldsters Gunter, Stanley, Karen, Gabby, Cathleen and Michelle led the charge. Go Dabs!
Thanks to Matthew Cockram and Rene Andrews for organising the event and a big shout out to the Wilson family for all they did – Nichole in particular who created a timing program out of thin air to make the racing possible.
The South African Championships will be held at the same venue from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th and this promises 3 full days of explosive 200m, 500m, 1000m and 5000m sprinting across the age groups where the real racing snakesare contesting to participate at the World Champs in Poland and/or the Olympic Hopes in Slovakia. Good to luck to all who are competing, and if you aren’t paddling you should go watch.
Next up it’s the High Altitude Surf Ski Challenge. As Admiral O’Connor likes to say “Don’t be Scared!” Organise a boat and be there – then stay on for the Dabblers who promise to be bigger, badder and saxier than ever before. The lucky draw a Fenn ski remains a fantastic incentive, plus the forecast suggests there will be a large swell and a gin storm…
Till next time – Go Dabs!