Paddlezone Kayaking Events
Format: Kayak freestyle -10h00am -12h00am,4km Downriver Race-13h00, Kayak Sprint -14hoo
Date: Saturday 14th August
Time: From 10h00am through to 17h00pm
Start: CNC Kogelberg Reserve put-in
Finish: Palmiet River Bridge
Cost: R90 (includes entry to Timed Sprint, Freestyle and Downriver race)
The roots of the Festival are in the whitewater kayaking events. This niche activity has a small but loyal band of paddlers, most of whom learnt how to paddle on the Palmiet River, so it has a special place in many hearts. And you can be sure that the kayaking fraternity will be there for the full Festival, enjoying it to the last - including the late night shift on the dancefloor.
Kayak Freestyle
Format: 2 runs for qualifying. 3 for finals
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 10h00am - 12h00m
Start: Judgement Day rapid
Finish: Palmiet River Bridge
This was the festivals original kayaking event and is now making a big comback with the World Championship event in Germany next year. Having said this, this event is suited to beginners , intermediates and experts with the emphasis being on having fun and kearning from people beter than you. Join in - if you don’t have a play boat - Paddlezone has sponsored a few for the event!
Kayak Downriver Race
Format: 4km Whitewater race
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 13h00
Start: Pool above Handstands Up
Finish: Palmiet River Bridge
This classic event was talked about for many years and has now become legend. A mass start in a flat pool above Rapid number 1 “Handstands Up.” All kayakers line up Le Mans style, and go… Let the carnage begin. First to the bridge wins. Simple as that! Safety is provided at the major rapids. This is a 4 km sprint and local knowledge always pays off. the rules of this event have always been minimal and the emphasis has been on enjoyment, but over the years with kayak design having changed in leaps, things have been refined somewhat. Gone are the days of the 3.3m Swallow paddlers hogging the podium. This year max kayak length is 2.5m.
Kayak Timed Sprint
Format: 400m Whitewater Sprint
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 14h00
Start: Weir above Judgement Day rapid
Finish: Palmiet River Bridge
This is a head to head race with the clock, down the last and most notorious on the River: “Judgement Day”. In the past this race format was in heats of 6 paddlers at a time on a knockout basis with a final. But this year’s format will be Man vs Clock. Fluid Kayaks has again generously sponsored Fluid Solos for the event, so that paddlers will compete in the same boats, with no advantage. Each kayaker will have the chance to do 2 runs to post their best time. Fastest time on the day wins.
Kayaks for the sprint and the Lucky Draw, sponsored by:
And one of the Fluid Kayaks will be given away by Lucky Draw, to one of the kayak competitors on the Saturday night after the event.
These events both make for great spectator viewing from the Palmiet River bridge, with its east access and superb view of Judgement Day rapid, which always delivers great thrills and spills.
Paddlers to look out for in this event are French legend and defending champion Olivier Feuillette (aka. “the French Housewife”). You can’t miss Oli who will be paddling his fibreglass homemade creation, the 12B, and will always be sporting 1992’s hottest lifejacket and cag. Oli remains one of the most enigmatic paddlers around so don’t be fooled by his appearance. His smooth style on the water is matched only by his penchant for off river mischief.
Event map:
PRIZES BY:
