Photos: Sabie Tube race 2016 was beyond groovy

SABIE – The Round Table 89 Sabie Tube Race has been one of the highlights on the Lowveld’s calendar since 1975. On Friday and Saturday this fun-filled event attracted hundreds of enthusiasts once more, despite the Sabie River’s low water level.

Many feared that this would lead to injury, but participants left the race unscathed, with smiling faces.

This year’s race had a groovy theme and many participants donned neon colours and the coolest accessories. The race kicked off at 08:00 and participants cruised down the river until 17:00.   According to Morné Roodt, 1800 people took part in the race.  “This year’s lower water levels couldn’t dampen the spirits and everyone had tons of fun,” he said.

Campers at the Castle Rock Campsite finished the race off with a drink, some loud music and a party to be remembered.

The route normally takes an hour to complete, but this year the shallow waters made the going a bit tougher.

Tube riders moved along slower than in other years and some even made oars that helped them along. Lowvelder spotted one of them, Ricardo Pereira.
He playfully lifted his oar, enabling us to take his photo, and said it helped him to move a bit faster.

Young and old enjoyed the race and many celebrated it as a family event. Andrew Kortenhoeven said he enjoyed the day a lot and his daughter, Andri, was a bundle of enthusiastic energy. “This is awesome!” she exclaimed and posed for a cute photo with her friend, Tenika Smith.

The local SAPS patrolled the riverbank on motorbikes to ensure participants’ safety. Capt Riaan and WO Riëtte Nortje said no injuries were reported and the route was a safe one. “We only had to ask one guy to get out of the river as he was clearly intoxicated.”

Were you part of it all?