March 29th, 2011 | 
Author: So while the Pro Race (Pro Race Results) paddlers were busy all day long in the canyon the action back at the Blyde Adventure Camp was just as crazy with more beginner and intermediate kayakers than ever before. Thanks to Jan from Fluid for bringing down a trailer full of demo boats for all the youngsters and fresh paddlers to test out.
Check out some of the action seen on the lower Blyde. The Intermediate paddlers raced a 3km gr1-2 section with a mass start. Most of the action is over the last 300m with Grand Prix and Big Deal. The beginners paddled only Grand Prix and Big Deal in heats of 4 paddlers and then a final on the same section.
Fluid demo's
lekker snor!
Upstream view from the finish line
Ruby and the time keepers, thanks for all the hard work ladies!
Intermediate race winner (he is a junior paddler) Bradley Altona
his secret weapon was the high speed Fluid Donsa
local paddler Victor placed 4th in the intermediate class, in a small Flirt!
hmmmm, where should I go?
Jan charging for the left line
Jonatan Pienaar our youngest competitor, 14 years old and styling it!
old school long boater, attempting to broach
Long boat auto eject, swimming probably got less water in his kayak than staying upright with that deck.
hahahaha...
...I wish I could roll
Intermediate race rescue action
With the Intermediate race over it was time for the largest beginner field ever to get their game faces on. Due to a recent knee injury local Southern Cross Schools junior paddler Zoe had to compete in an inflatable kayak with a 10m penalty start, but she dominated all her heats and the final. Check out the beginners.
gotta love the beginner carnage!
Victor on safety at the "split rock" in Big Deal
Do It Now magazine brand manager Keane enjoying his swim on the beginner race.
"it didn't look like this from the bank"
some beginner ladies looking slightly less than chuffed with how far they are off line
they almost made it
if you wanted to get a time for your race you had to cross the finish line with all your gear.
the pre-programed eject hand
"I know the guy said the kayaks called a Solo, but this isn't funny"
ggaaaassssppppp
another one of our kayak school kids Ryan Strong from Southern Cross School in Hoedspruit
Worsie from our main competition Stanford Lake College
Brent also from our local kayak school charging to the finish line
Greg and Sam also from our kayak school in a tight battle for the finish line
Zoe over powering Ryan for the winning spot on the beginner podium
some of the Stanford Lake boys testing the Locomotion's hole riding ability
After the kayaking events it was time for the super fun Croc Raft and Gecko race’s. For the non South African’s: Croc’s are 2 person inflatables made by Ark inflatables, probably the most used commercial raft in SA, Gecko’s are 1 person inflatable river tubes. Races are also held over Grand Prix and Big Deal, this event is for everybody and loads of fun.
the croc race is action packed
Louis and Karen working hard for their podium finish
heading towards the finish line/gap
battling over the finish line
you should be sitting
Joubert on safety during the Gecko race in a Gecko
Fred just enjoying the ride
Gecko's are super fun
So with the days racing over at the camp and the first batch of paddlers from the Pro race almost back at camp everybody got a quick break before the high flying action of our Big Air Kayak Ramp. This year is our 3 rd kayak ramp design and we think we have a winner, don’t worry we will still tweak things here and there for more of something in 2012. Ryan Peel took the gold with a super tidy air screw.
Side view of the ramp, 2012 will see more angle and even higher platform
daniel on the lip
if you want good pics of yourself then date the photographer.
MJ
splash
Daniel
Lloyd happy and amazed that the ramp and him survived. Lekker Lloyd!
With the ramp event finished and all the Pro Race paddlers back at camp, it was finally time to sit down, relax, have a beer and enjoy some good food.
With people slowly recharging things were almost ready for the prize giving, auction and party.
The photo’s will do the talking!
Chris started the Blyde Xfest 5 years ago so we force him to give a speach.
Brent accepting a PeakUk dry bag on behalf of Ryan for his 2nd place in the Beginner Kayaking cat.
Our Beginner Kayak winner Zoe (from our kayak school and Southern Cross School) won a Werner Rio paddle
Croc race winners Jonatan and Keane. The opinion was that Keane could thank his stars for young jonatan's paddling skills.
Prizes for the Croc winners included gear from Ark and First Ascent
Snor and Rattex took 2nd in the Croc& Tube
Steffano was crowned as the "wannabe" Pro scoring some excellent First Ascent gear...
... and a booty bear for his swim
3rd Pro Daniel Barnard. It was decided b y the other competitors that Daniel would not be allowed to paddle his trusty Kendo in the 2012 Pro Race. Some felt it gave him an unfair advantage?
Shane Raw did not win the Pro Race he came 2nd, but he did win some First Ascent gear!
Andrew Kellet from Capetown won the Pro Race by 3seconds.Thanks to our awesome sponsors First Ascent, Fluid Kayaks (2 50% dicsount vouchers), Do It Now, Ark Inflatables, Vibram Frivefingers, Whitewater Training, Werner Paddlers, Laeveld Bou, Spar. Capetonian Roche was our ticket man for the evening, thanks Roach!
Dewet was stoked with his goodies from First Ascent and Ark
Bertie with an Ark Drybag
Hannes won a small braai from Laeveld Bou so that he can braai in style in the streets of Parys.
Luke won a cooler box also from LB. Love the sash Luke!
Kobus was one of the big winners walking away with a brand new Ark Gecko! (it's the big blue thing leaning on table)
Our beginner kayaker Zoe's luck was on a roll, not only did she win the Werner paddle but she won one of the 50% discount vouchers from Fluid as well!
The other stoked winner of a 50% Fluid discount voucher was Parys local Philip Claasens
Well done Lloyd!
Adam for his swim on the way to the Xfest
Celliers had an unlucky slow motion swim after some confusing directions. Celliers doesn't really drink so he got a milk booty
Dave swam so much he couldn't compete but did enjoy everything and joined us for the Sunday Olifants Trip
Jo for her swim on Gutter 2, she did give me a scare by hiding under undercut boulders.
One of our safety paddlers Shaun had a sweet swim in Jenny's drop
Junior pro race paddler Josh Duffus had some swims but did really well. He couldn't down a beer so he got a Stoney ginger beer
the kwetsa effect of the Stoney
To round of the prize giving it was mullet parade time! First some shots of the mullet wizzard Mirkava Mirka chop shop.
Shaun getting trimmed
Dupie in control while getting his hair outta control
mullet parade
Mullet King Dewet with his giftige brille!
Me and Ruby still standing
Check part 3 for the party pics and Olifants River Social paddle trips as well as full results….
Posted in Blyde Xfest
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