SA K1, K2 and Surfski Champs were held in St Francis in October, a wonderful three days for 330 paddlers. Thanks Nicky Stewart for the photo: the Pam Golding franchisee looking tired in the back.
The paddlers, plus many friends and families, were a great boost for business in St Francis.
SA Surfski Champs was held in St Francis for the first time ever .. two years ago we had SA K1 and K2 Champs (flat water) in the canals, which were held here again. Due to big seas, the Surfski Champs was unfortunately moved to the river, and won by Jenna Ward and Hank McGregor. The first five paddlers also competed in a Dash for Cash at Quaysyde, won by Jenna Ward and Hamish Lovemore. I thoroughly enjoyed the surfski race, despite the disappointment of not paddling out to sea.
Multiple world champ Hank MacGregor and rising star Hamish Lovemore enjoyed an easy win in the SA K2 Champs.
Apart from our local star performer, Phil Smith, who just missed a podium against the best in the land, quite a few older locals participated:
60 to 64: Gordon Spalding won the surfski race and the K2 race, and was just off the podium for K1. Pete King put in three good performances, unluckily no podium finish. Another club member, Gary Atkinson paddled next to Pete in the K1 and K2, a feat in itself. I had a great surfski race, marred by missing the bouy in the mouth, so effectively a DNF. And my K2 went ok, but my partner’s two new knees led to us losing our bunch at the 2nd portage. Frank Baker achieved a K1 top 10 in his first SA Champs, and Nigel Harvey a bronze in the K2, both in the 65-69. Frank Dobrowski won a silver in the K1 over 70.
