Thursday was a bitter–sweet evening for Elandrie, while Sunday was a windy and wavy morning for the K2 Marathon paddlers out at VLC.
While things like the financials, legals, club facilities and safety were shared at the Annual General Meeting last Thursday, what most people really wanted to know, was who would take over as Chair from Elandrie.
In the 47 years of our club, 21 people have held the position of what must be the most unwanted and thankless task out there – that of Chair. Ian Benson (the multiple ultra marathon man) managed 12 years, but on average most only survived 2 years. Elandrie was Chair for 4 years, but she didn’t just do time at the helm, she bought and gave another level of her own gees, driving the club forward with her bubbly personality. She made much happen, including scripting and living the Dabs DNA: ‘Belonging. Integrity. Joy. Support. Excellence.’ E3 established the Dabs Darlings, organized girl tours and led the drive for new members. She did much for the SCARC girls with her Women’s Day initiatives and indeed for all the kids with her SANTA stuff, and was really passionate about the Annual Awards events. She launchednew Dabs kit (have you got yours yet?), introduced the Club 100, had new paddler pics put up in club house and recruited a team to produce the Dabs News. She partnered with the JCC to help keep the Vaal Marathon alive and also kept our premier race the Liebenbergsvlei, as-well-as old traditions like the Winter Series and 10-in–1 going strong. But it’s not an easy job, and so with tears in her eyes, Elandrie stepped down, leaving on a high; and so we say: ‘well done and thank you’.
Taking over is Karen Field who will be our 4th female Chair. Someone was heard asking: “Are you mad?” to which Karen smiled and replied “Yes!” So we go from one to another and we wish Karen well in her role of ensuring we remain ‘the finest canoe club in the whole dam universe’. Below, Elandrie after her first ever paddle just 10 years ago, and Karen where she likes to be; out at sea….
Matt Ballenden comes in as Vice-Chair while other new committee members include Luke Salmon, Sarah Field and Ethan Cockram (who join other youngsters like Alexa Godden, Brad Boule and Neil Burger) so it’s good to see a new generation getting ready because the likes of our accountant, our lawyer, our safety officer and our maintenance man are all getting a bit old. Older still is Steve Jourdan, who is now into his 30th year on the Dabs Committee! Thank you to one and all.
On Sunday VLC hosted the first K2 event in the PSG Flatwater Marathon Series. The guppies went off first, then there were 10km and 20km races, with those who entered the long race getting additional bang for their buck as they got to do more than 22, on what was a very windy morning with some serious side chop running onto the southern bank; so there were some swimmers.
In the Guppies, the fastest times went to Amile Mzolofollowed by Aara Judy and then Aayan Judy while in the 10km event Gareth Barberton had to work hard to hold off a determined young Ruoxi Hao. Somewhat further behind werePhamna Mpambani & Buntu Khuza. At the sharp end of the long course there was a two boat race for the top step and somewhat further back a three boat race for the third step on the podium, and in the end the final portage, just a few hundred meters from the finish, made the difference. Brad Boulle & Luke Salmon dropped Wayne Jacobs & Nic Notten on the run to take first place, while in the following 3 ball, Sibusiso Chwayi & Kyle Armdorf took third place ahead of MJ Robb & Rob Crichton and Mark Garden & Mat Ballenden. First ladies home were Elandrie Zietsman & Renschi Van Zyl while Leon Bartel & Karen Filed were second in the Mixed Doubles, behind Anya De Beer & Krzysztof Lapacz. So almost all the podium places went to paddlers from our pond!
Next up in the PSG Flatwater Marathon Series, Centurion Canoe Club are hosting a K1 event at Rietvlei Dam on Saturday 23rd. Rietvlei in winter is almost always cold, so if you need some conditioning you might want to join the mad but merry men and women at Morning School on Tuesdays and Thursdays 06h00.
Till next time – Go Dabs!