Paddlers Sea Kayak Annual Race - Cancelled

Sadly we are not able to have our annual kayak race this year as our small event has been asked by Disaster Management, under provisions in the new event regulations, to provide quite onerous safety measures. They are particularly concerned about water activities taking place during the season when sharks are known to come close to shore, and the effect of any bad publicity that would occur if a shark attack took place. 

It is no longer enough to provide an indemnity form, and in the interests of safety we are now required to ensure Sea Rescue and medical personal on the water, a medical doctor on shore, shark spotter, lifeguard, and have an emergency removal plan to include the provision for a helicopter landing site for medical evacuation, plus  R5 million public liability insurance.

As our "fun" event is not a money making scheme, and the preparation of the documents alone is a daunting task,  I have decided to cancel the event.

Comments welcomed.

RACE IS POSTPONED

It's very disappointing  - and very late notice  - but our annual kayak race has hit a technical snag with the city who yesterday afternoon, refused our permit.  I have a meeting with officials next week to iron out the problem and get permission for a future date.

Given the wind and rain forecast for tomorrow it does give us the chance to try for a better day. If you are coming to Simon's Town tomorrow then we will have muffins, coffee and kayak videos  at the shop from 9.30 until 11.30am.

Full Moon Paddle pictures

It was a very windy evening for this month's full moon paddle, unlike the last few, but five intrepid paddlers went out anyway. I have just bought myself a used GoPro and was trying it out so here is the video as well. Because paddling videos (well, mine anyway) tend to be a bit slow and boring I now often speed them up.

Not a day for wimps

Still looks good - except for the dark skies ahead 

Looks nice and calm

A tad wet now but no wind yet

The day started out nice and calm. The forecast said the wind would be westerly at 15kph with 1mm rain for the day and as we set off it certainly seemed that way. Westerly also meant we were protected by the mountains and as the four of us were all strong, competent paddlers off we went.

After 15 minutes it began raining and then the wind picked up northeasterly to probably 30kph. Waves were only 2 or 3 foot so we carried on upwind. It was a slog but excellent fun and a good workout but the rain was so incessant that by the time we got to the Smits area we were soaked.

And by the time we got to Millers we were so chilly that we agreed to put in there and call for the vehicle instead of paddling the last 8kms to Simon's Town. Gotta love cellphones.

Then it was off to the yacht club for some coffee and Whale Tale Ales.

Buffells to Simon's Town - Yes, again

Sunday 15th July

Sunday 7.30am: Status - looks wet, let's do it anyway.

Meet at the shop at 8.30am to car pool down to the reserve. As usual we will update here on the blog with new forecasts as they change. The go ahead will be given here and also on this Twitter account which is easier to update and more reliable. You don't need to join or follow if you don't want to.