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Gouda to Bridgetown - 30th May 2009 |
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Written by Mark Torrington
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
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When: Saturday 30th May, 2009.
Venue: Gouda to Bridgetown.
Distance: 28 Km.
Registration: 08h30
Start time: 10h00
N.B. Non-registered paddlers WILL NOT be allowed to enter the race.
Very N.B. PFD’s (life jackets) are compulsory. Report by Rob MacLean
Media Liaison – WC.C.U.
This Saturday’s W.C.C.U. canoe race is arguably that which is upon the best section of the Berg River that is raced by paddlers of the Union and this is because of several factors. Not being close to any urban development, the river here is far less polluted than it is in the Paarl/Wellington region; it offers not only a good distance over which to race (28km), but on water which tends to be deep, often wide (for slip riding) and has certain challenges that paddlers need to be aware of and approach with caution. This is also an ideal race to do for those paddlers who will be participating in the Peninsula Canoe Club Swartland Canoe Marathon in 2 weeks time as well as in The Berg in July, as it is a section that is covered (in both races) on the 2nd day of each.
With the weather forecasters telling us that there will be good rains this Thursday and Friday, it is hoped that this will raise the current river level, even if only to ensure that the current tree block about 200 m after the start at Gouda bridge, is navigable by more than 1 canoe at a time (as it is at present). If it isn’t, the race organisers would be well advised to move the start to below this massive obstruction. Thereafter and for about the first 30 minutes of paddling, things are relatively clear until Black Rock is reached – here the question is always …’shoot it or portage it?’....at present, either way will work, although it must be remembered that when shooting Black Rock, one goes down into a Palmiet gangetjie that is just more than 1 canoe width wide and so, if there is a canoe up ahead that has become stuck, there is no way that one can back off. If the river rises, then one can even shoot it alongside the river bank where one would portage. You make the call! The gangetjies before and the train bridge are clear, although there is a massive amount of debris around the base of one of the pillars, so it is advisable to paddle this channel in line – one behind the other. Of course, if the river rises, it may well be open and clear on river left, so giving paddlers the chance to give the gangetjie a miss. Below the train bridge and under the Heuningberg, there are many channels in the river, but, unlike last year, these seem to be clear at the moment. Be careful on the approaches to Ysterpen Rapid as there are a number of channels that look to be the one to take but in fact end up as dead ends. The old saying of …’go right, go right and go right again’, may be the way to get through this section. Drie Gewels Weir is a tame drop, but the channels that follow it are not as straight forward as paddlers would like to find them – be aware on this section and follow the flowing water – make your own calls on which way to go as, just because there is a paddler ahead of you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she knows the correct way to go!
The finish is at Bridgetown – where there is neither a bridge nor a town! – but it is an exceptionally pleasant spot where local farmer’s wives have warm and cold fare for sale.
For novices or those paddlers who are still not sure of this section, the sweep for Saturday’s race, Mike Monson, of Peninsula Canoe Club, has offered to ‘shepherd’ you down. You can contact him at the start (Gouda Bridge) and make plans – remember, as a sweep, he will be going slowly, ‘sweeping’ up and assisting any ‘ducklings’ who are struggling, so it will of necessity be a slow paddle. Thanks to Mike in advance for this kind offer.
Lance King (Milnerton Canoe Club), who has been dominating the canoe races in the Western Cape so far this season – flat water and last week, on the Berg River from Paarl to Skooltjie, must start out as the favourite – but having said that, all river paddlers know that nothing is certain until the finish line has been crossed. Dogging him will be his training partners from Peninsula Canoe Club, Graeme Solomon (for so long the premier paddler in the Cape) and Gavin White, followed by P-W Basson and Heinrich Schloms (Paarl CC), Pierre-Andre Rabie and Ernest van Riet (Stel). However, still ‘charging’ is Veteran paddler, Eugene van der Westhuizen (Milnerton) and club mates, Greg van Heerden and Chris de Waal, whilst Dane Sanvido (Stel) and Cornelius Human (Mil), are also serious Top Ten paddlers, who, if the river gods give favour to, can also challenge the Big 5!
In the Women’s division, Robyn Kime (Stel) is out on her own at the moment and has to find racing partners amongst the men racing in positions 10 to 20, such is her prowess and river knowledge. Milnerton’s U23 flat water marathoner, Bianca Beavitt, has posted some good times recently, but along with Jackie Barnes - also U23 (UCT), they probably wont be challenging Kime – rather the competition will between the two of them for 2nd and 3rd places. Jemma Hofmeyer (Pen) has also been putting in good training time (on the river too), so don’t discount her – her river knowledge may just pay off.
The race begins at the Gouda Bridge at 10h00 – registration is from 08h30. If paddlers are not sure of how to get to the start (and their seconds to the finish at Bridgetown), look up the previous W.C.C.U. newsletter (that you should have received), or got to the website (www.wpcanoe.org.za) where you can find directions.
VERY. VERY IMPORTANT – any paddlers arriving at the start who are not currently registered with the W.C.C.U. WILL NOT be allowed to race.
VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT – PFD’s (i.e. life jackets) ARE COMPULSORY. (This is a Canoe South Africa ruling).
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 February 2010 )
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