MBOMBELA – It has not been paddled at all this summer and is flowing at 1,3 cubic metres per second, the lowest it has ever been. It was scheduled to take place on February 6.
“Not even in winter it gets that low. We have a better chance to go down on mountain bikes, but canoes won’t work,” said Eric Dixon of the Lowveld Canoe Club. It would have celebrated its sixth year.
The section of the Elands River that is paddled during the race starts about 10 kilometres west of Ngodwana. This river can be paddled from 4,5 up to 35 cubic metres per second and the brave up to 50 cubic metres per second. There is usually lots of rapids and the longest flat-water section is less than one kilometre.
Boats are seldom broken on this river, but be aware, it has happened, even with the more experienced. K2s can paddle the river from eight cubic metres per second. The river is a C grade on lower levels and becomes B from 15 cubic metres per second. The race is normally 23 kilometres.
The annual 3338 Memorial Race takers place in memory of friend and club member, Laetitia Scheepers.
She sadly lost her life doing a training trip on the Elands River in 2009. She completed a few Comrades Marathons with some worthy completions of renowned canoe races.
The race is normally a qualifier for the Duzi Marathon which takes place at the end of Feburary.
