Although not technically IN Linden,
Emmarentia Dam is close enough to give it honorary status when events occur.
Such was the case recently when a rather unlikely championship race took place there.
The clam before the storm...literally!
Not the storm, as the weather played along,
but the calm waters would soon be churning...
Some competitors took this opportunity to get in a few practice laps
before the serious athletes arrived.
A first...
Several of these Great White sharks were seen in the dam before the race set off.
Out of the entire field, this was the only fellow that I knew.
Bradley Fisher, who is very involved in paddling here in Gauteng.
I did mention the calm earlier...
That was all about to change.
Seeing that this is a "surf" ski championship, there have to be waves.
How to do make waves on an inland lake?
You use a variety of speed boats and even a jet ski was involved.
This was just before the starting siren was sounded.
AND THEY ARE OFF...
Paddlers, in both singles and doubles, as well as those
that chose to go the S.U.P (Stand Up Paddling) route.
This was the sharp end of the bunch.
Judging from the boats as well as the attire, it looks as they are all team mates.
Staying out front in the beginning would be easy,
but lapping the field made it more difficult.
Not quite the angle you want to be at when you are standing up.
That being said, he did not fall off.
I only saw once incident where two guys toppling off their double.
Considering the waves and the number of entrants, that in itself was quite a feat.
There is no Kneeling category, but that this did not stop this athlete from
"playing it safe".
The old man of the...dam?
He might have been the oldest, but he was certainly not at the back of the pack...
I was informed that this is the 8th time that this event has been held here.
Who knew?
If YOU would like to learn to paddle,
then call the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club that is based at the dam.
Phone: 011 486 0979
Support local, support Linden.
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