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Gouda Bridgetown K1 - 30th May 2009 |
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Written by Mark Torrington
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Tuesday, 02 June 2009 |
The 28 kilometre section of the Berg River between the Gouda Bridge and Bridgetown, was raced in medium to low water levels on Saturday 30th May, 2009.
The run-off from the heavy in the rains in the Boland last week had not reached this part of the river by Saturday morning, meaning that paddlers had to contend with channels that were blocked or semi blocked and a new starting place. The new starting place was because of the massive tree block approximately 250 meters downstream from the Gouda Bridge (where the race generally starts), the way through being narrowed to a channel only 1 canoe-width wide. Hat’s off to the starters for moving the starting line, but this did cause some problems with the field who started before the officials had got them in order and perhaps responding to the spring-gun that was going off at regular intervals in the field alongside the river! This chaotic start nevertheless got the paddlers away, even if many of those somewhat back from the front line hesitated when officials tried to call back those who had ‘jumped the gun’. Taking it away from the start was a large front bunch which naturally included all the top guns of canoeing in the province - the favourite, Lance King (Milnerton) with Gavin White and Graeme Solomon (both Peninsula CC), Heinrich Schloms (Paarl) Ernest van Riet (Stel) and the evergreen, now Sub Master (i.e. in the age group 45 – 49 years), Eugene van der Westhuizen (Milnerton).
With the river relatively open over the first 20 minutes or so, this bunch converged on Black Rock Rapid, which, because it consists of a channel only one canoe wide which drops, turns sharp left and then sharp right, means that approaching paddlers need to be very circumspect in how they deal with it. Solomon opted for to portage whilst all the others lined up and shot it, with Solomon coming out about 2 boat lengths ahead, showing that effective portaging at this spot is faster – note the word EFFECTIVE though. Portaging is a skill that needs to practised – something that Cape paddlers do not seem to spend too much time doing, unlike their KZN and Gauteng counter parts, who race rivers where portaging is part and parcel of most races. Solomon, a National canoe marathoner, has also honed his skills in this aspect of paddling as such events have built into them portaging as a matter of course. Immediately after Black Rock, the river opens up wide again and so the bunch was able to partially reform and stayed this way for approximately another 15 to 20 minutes, when it split up after taking an incorrect line through saplings growing across the river course. Here, King got away from the bunch and led, for a long time, a line of paddlers, all fighting it out riding the tail slips of the paddler ahead. By the time this racing bunch reached the ‘gangetjie’ leading down the Train Bridge, King had opened up a lead which he continued to stretch all the way to the finish at Bridgetown, where he was clear of runner-up Gavin White, by over a minute and a half. White pipped his club training partner, Graeme Solomon (Pen) by 1 second, to take 2nd place, Heinrich Schloms (Paarl) was 4th, Ernest van Riet (Stel) 5t), whilst the 1st Sub Master home, Eugene van der Westhuizen, placed an amazing 6th over all, only 6 minutes behind the winner, Lance King, of the event.
Robyn Kime (Stel again dominated the Senior Women’s section of the race, taking over 5 minutes out of Lindi-May Harmse (Milnerton) - who makes a welcome return to river paddling - and Jemma Hofmeyer (Pen), who had unfortunately capsized shortly after the start when she collided with another canoe – hat’s off to her for giving it her all to come home in a good time of 2 hours 38 minutes.
In the Junior division (U18), Paarl Canoe Club was again in force, taking first, second and third positions through Joseph Williams (U18), Diviano Pietersen (U16) and Michael-Lee Farringer (U14), all doing very well to come in under 2 hours 30 minutes for this tricky 28 kilometre stretch of river.
Deep gratitude and thanks must be extended to the officials for a difficult job well done and to the sweeps, Mike Monson (Pen), Edgar Boehm (Pen) and Gordon Lang (Mil), the latter of whom wasn’t a designated sweep, but became involved in the rescue of a canoe along with Edgar Boehm, which had become stuck deep underwater (in the Heuningberg section of the river) without which meant that the owner of the same canoe would have otherwise faced a lonely, cold trek, away from the river, on foot, to the nearest farmhouse to seek help, (as well as having lost his canoe). Through their combined efforts, the canoe was recovered in one piece and the happy paddler was escorted to the finish by is rescuers.
If canoe races had a ‘Man of the Match’, this award on Saturday would have definitely been made jointly to Edgar and Gordon – good on you both.
Results.
Top Ten.
1. Lance King – Milnerton – 2 hours 6 minutes 09 seconds.
2. Gavin White – Pen – 2:07:41
3. Graeme Solomon – Pen - 2:07:42 - 1st Sub Veteran
4. Heinrich Schloms – Paarl – 2:08:07
5. Ernest van Riet – Stel – 2:12:41
6. Eugene van der Westhuizen – Mil – 2:12:42 – 1st Sub Master
7. Dane Sanvido – Stel – 2:13:43
8. Andrew Birkett – UCT – 2:13:44 – 1st U23.
9. Cornelius Human – Mil – 2:15:40
10. Patrick Birkett - Pen – 2:18:48
Senior Men
1. Lance King – Mil – 2:06:09
2. Gavin White - Pen – 2:07:41
3. Graeme Solomon – Pen – 2:07:42
Senior Women
1. Robyn Kime – Stel – 2:24:44
2. Lindi-May Harmse – Mil – 2:30:17
3. Jemma Hofmeyer – Pen – 2:38:03
Juniors
1. Joseph Williams- Paarl - 2:25:36
2. Diviano Pietersen – Paarl – 2:26:53
3. Michael-Lee Farringer – Paarl - 2:27:14
Under 23
1. Andrew Birkett – UCT – 2:13:44
2. Robyn Kime – Stel – 2:24:44
3. Alastair Glass – Pen – 2:25:53
Sub Veterans (35 – 39 years)
1. Graeme Solomon – Pen – 2:07:42
2. Hennie du Plooy – 2:22:32
3. Frohann Visser – SSW – 2:23:35
Veterans (40 – 44 years)
1. Rob Hart – Pen – 2:25:57
2. Rob Meintjies – LAN – 2:29:24
3. Craig Maltby – LAN – 2:47:02
Sub Masters (45 – 49 years)
1. Eugene van der Westhuizen – Mil – 2:12:42
2. Anton Truter – Mil – 2:25:35
3. Glen Trueb – 2:36:43
Masters (50 – 54 years)
1. Paul Lange – Pen – 2:22:42
2. Shaun Butler – Pen – 2:27:42
3. Ian Glass p Pen – 2:31:35
Sub Grandmasters (55 – 59 years)
1.Andre Rabie – Paarl – 2:29:28
2. Lionel Ekermans – Mil – 2:29:36
3. Rob MacLean – Pen – 2:31:21
Grandmasters (60 years plus)
1. Tienie van Schoor – 2:44:34
2. Gerfred Neber – Pen – 2:45:00
3. Jannie Malherbe – OUT – 2:51:49 |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 February 2010 )
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