High water for Fish Canoe Marathon
29 September 2008
With hundreds of paddlers expected in Cradock ahead of the Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe Marathon on 3 and 4 October, the race organisers have issued a warning that the Fish River will be running fuller than normal for the week before the race, and they have urged paddlers tripping the river to be cautious.
Race committee head Louis Copeman confirmed that the Department of Water Affairs had advised them that the routine water releases from Grassridge Dam that coincide with the annual two-day race may be increased during the week prior to the race, but would be reduced to the normal race level of 26 cumecs by Thursday, 2 October.
'Great relationship'
"We have a great relationship with Water Affairs, and they keep us informed about the levels of water in the river," said Copeman.
"To meet the irrigation demands they often release more than the regular race level of water into the river and we take note of that and pass on the information to the paddlers that want to trip the river."
The race committee has erected a sign in the centre of Cradock at a prominent service station advising paddlers of the exact water levels on the day.
"The early part of next week the water will be over 30 cumecs, which is actually a super level top trip most of the river," said Copeman.
Dangerous stretches
The dangerous stretches on the upper reaches of the river from the dam to Keith's Flyover rapid will not be accessible to paddlers until the Thursday before the race and will therefore not be a safety factor at the elevated water level.
Copeman also warned paddlers that the legendary Cradock Weir will also be off-limits until the water level returns to the normal race level on Thursday 2 October, and when the team of lifeguards will be on duty.
"You don't want to get caught in the backwash at Cradock Weir at 30-plus cumecs with no-one to help you," said Copeman.
Lifeguards
The race will be staffed by a big team of lifeguards from Port Elizabeth Surf Rescue, backed up by SAPS Swift Water Rescue personnel and divers.
"The lifesavers are exceptional," said Copeman. "They did an unbelievable job on the pre-Fish race in difficult conditions, and we are thrilled to have them helping at the race.
"They have helped to ensure that we have taken the safety at the Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe marathon to a whole new level," he added.
2007
The 2007 race - a K1 event - was won for the fourth time in succession by Len Jenkins in a new record time. Abbey Miedema held off the Czech Republic's Michela Mruzkova to take the women's honours.
Jenkins teamed with Hank McGregor to take line honours the last time the race was a K2 event in 2006. The Czech pair of Michala Mruzkova and Katerina Vacikova won the women's race ahead of South Africa's Abbey Miedema and Michelle Eray.
This year's Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe Marathon will get under way at Grassridge Dam on Friday 3 October and finishes in Cradock on Saturday 4 October. More information can be found at Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe Marathon.
Source: Canoeing South Africa
