Cradock – Ahead of the much-anticipated Fish River Canoe Marathon at the beginning of October, the Cradock Canoe Club took the decision to re-route the water flow and change the angle of the Double Trouble chute.
The Fish, which takes place on 7-8 October, remains one of South Africa’s premier canoe marathons because of the exciting fast-flowing water that comes from the Grassridge Dam and the race committee continue to make improvements.
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The major change is that the organisers have re-channeled the water to flow right of the original chute at the bottom of Double Trouble so paddlers aren’t forced into the left-hand bank and under the willow trees.
Over the past few years organisers of the premier two-day marathon in the Klein Karoo have made adjustments to certain obstacles along the route and the changes made to the Double Trouble chute are two-fold.
“From an environmental perspective it was important that we changed the angle of the chute so it didn’t continue to erode the river bank any further,” Vice Chairman of the Fish organising committee Herman Marais said.
“The owner of the farm that Double Trouble is situated on as well our race committee chairman Roy Copeman are happy with the changes that have been made.
“From a safety perspective it is more safe now but still provides the same amount of entertainment that the original chute designed by Louis Copeman provided.”
Being the first obstacle that paddlers encounter after the paddle across Grassridge Dam making it as safe as possible was important and Marais explains why it is safer for paddlers.
“Despite the fast flowing excitement of Double Trouble still being there it is in fact far safer if you do have a swim.
“The water is not forcing you onto the bank of the river, and instead creating safe eddies both sides of the bottom chute where boats can be emptied,” he added.
Ahead of this year’s race, the club got out there and tested the chute.
“We shot the chute over the past weekend and there were some nerves but it all went really well and I think the changes will make it better.
“The team cannot wait to welcome everyone to Cradock next month and to show off the changes as we continue to make the Fish a better race for everyone,” Marais added.
