Border club make great comeback to snatch title

Port Alfred over the past weekend, with some epic racing taking place among the hundred or so paddlers that braved the tricky conditions.

The race ended with East London’s Border Canoe Club reclaiming the Intercity Trophy from 2017 champs Blue Water Canoe Club from Port Elizabeth in a nailbiting climax.

“Racing through all the age categories was tight and, after collating all points for positions in the categories, PE was slightly ahead,” said race convener Dave Puttergill.

“However, a superior number of paddlers finishing the race saw East London finish with 138.5 points compared to PE’s 133 points, thus ensuring the Intercity trophy travelled back to East London after PE won it last year.”

In Saturday’s race over a 100 paddlers entered despite the predicted cold, wet and windy conditions.

The race was shortened to three laps of 6km each and, although the rain stayed away during the race, the wind still provided a challenge, particularly the “into the wind” section.

It became a three-boat tussle for the overall honours.

After winning the Kowie Challenge last year, with partner Matthew Tebbutt, Border Canoe Club’s Bevan Manson this year partnered with Matthews’ father Richard, to produce a strong finish to beat off the challenge from the Blue Water Canoe Club crew of Howard Loftus and Andrew Stone.

Taking third place overall after an impressive race was 15year-old Stirling High pupil Jordy Malherbe in a K1 (no partner), who stayed with the front group all the way before being outmuscled in the last 2km, but still managed to comfortably triumph in the K1.

“In the end it was down to who had kept enough in reserve for the final sprint, and Bevan and Richard ended up opening up a 27-second lead on the final straight for a comfortable win,” said Puttergill.

“Jordy Malherbe followed 32 seconds later. I would consider Jordy’s performance the paddle of the day as it was never going to be easy in a K1 canoe in those conditions.”

The third K2 crew over the line and fifth overall was Roderick Fox and Fanta Gous from the PE club, while fourth overall and first in the K3 category was Gavin McNish, Luke McNish and Jason Goedhals, all also from Blue Water.

The second K1 paddler in and 13th overall was Border Canoe’s Duncan Boyd, while first mixed double over the line and 16th overall went to Ben Garrett and Olivia Read from Blue Water.

The first female K2 of Janine Linder and Kay McNish was closely followed in by the first female K1 and third overall K1 Kirstin Scott, with all three from Blue Water, finishing 31st and 32nd overall.

“My biggest concern running up the event was how the weather would affect entries and, at over 100 entries, this exceeded my expectations,” said Puttergill.

“I had overwhelmingly positive comments from the paddlers, who seemed to relish the challenging conditions, and the hospitality of the Port Alfred Ski-boat Club was also most welcome for those paddlers wanting to watch the rugby and rehydrate.

“Sponsors NFB were on hand during the whole event to lend their support, and were instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the event.”

I would consider Jordy’s performance the paddle of the day