As the nationwide drought continues to linger, paddlers from around the country will be licking their lips about the guaranteed water release from the Grassridge Dam for the two-day Fish River Canoe Marathon from 5-6 October.
Recently established as one of the most popular races due to the consistently good water levels, the Fish is a race enjoyed by beginners and professionals alike.
This year, the country’s top paddlers will be fighting it out for the SA K1 River Marathon title. The 48km opening day starts with a 2.3km stretch across Grassridge Dam and a quick portage, and the opening 9km often sees a large group of paddlers bunched together as they approach the first major obstacle at Keith’s Flyover rapid.
From there, the field thins out slightly, making it difficult for chasers unless one is able to gain an advantage, with the second day only being 36km long.
Day two’s iconic obstacle is the Cradock Weir that comes just a few kilometres before the finish; it has been famously known as a dramatic stage in the past that often decides the final outcome of the race. The Fish is a fast-paced race, and if no mistakes are made, it gives paddlers few opportunities to get away from the opposition.
The 2016 two-day K1 shootout came down to end sprints in the men’s race with Euro Steel’s Hank McGregor edging his 2018 FNB Dusi K2 partner Andy Birkett for the title.
This rivalry has blossomed into friendship over the years, as the dream K2 combination will pair in the upcoming ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships.
Despite their friendship, they still maintain a healthy rivalry and the SA K1 Championships will provide another enthralling chapter in this modern-day battle of the titans.
The effects of racing at the World Marathon Championships should have subsided when the paddlers head to the Klein Karoo town over the first weekend of October. With the Fish being one of the premier river races on the calendar, the elite field is always extremely strong and will include local star and defending K2 champion Greg Louw.
Louw finished third behind McGregor and Birkett in 2016 and hopes to push the pair this year. The women’s showdown will see a newly crowned K1 winner, following the 2016 and 2014 dominance of Abby Solms.
A number of paddlers will be in the run for a podium top spot, who are sure to feature as potential title winners alongside 2016 runner-up Bridgitte Hartley (pictured above) and Jenna Ward.
Hartley and Ward should be careful as they will be faced with a challenge from the wings as a group of paddlers are ready to pounce, including Christie Mackenzie.
The young Mackenzie has come into her own following her second-place finish at the 2017 FNB Dusi, followed up with a K2 second place this year.
She won bronze at the 2017 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships and hopes for a podium spot at the Fish this year. Once again, the Fish River Canoe Marathon will provide all the paddlers with two days of entertaining paddling and partying as the event is commonly known as the biggest paddling party.
Photo: McGregor and Hartley, by Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media