Dubai Shamaal Wrap up

Training paddle in Dubai

The race went well. I managed to avoid all the flu/colds circulating our house, and felt really well rested come race day.

Had an average start, and made a call to back off from the Hotspot and to wait for the downwind section to make my mark on the race. Managed to get a small gap as we started the down wind bit, then just concentrated on stringing the runs together. I took quite a deep line, hoping to get the benefit later on in the race, but the wind kind of died halfway, leaving me a bit deep. I thought I could see Jasmin to my right, but it was hard to tell as there were many men’s boats all over the place.

When I got to the entrance to the Marina, I had no idea if I was in 1st, and the last 600m of flat were a bit nerve-wrecking as I couldn’t see any of the others. There were a bunch of guys I felt I should be ahead of that took the shallower line, so I really think I messed that up a bit. I did win however, with Jasmin in 2nd and Katie in 3rd.

I didn’t win Surfski.info’s World Series however, even though I won every race I entered this year! There were a number of changes to the race’s nominated to be Series Races at the beginning of the season, and I had made plans according to the original star ratings… Anyhow…

As I got back, I drove down to Cape Town to do the Daniel Conradie Memorial race. Daniel was my mentor, and I wish he was alive today to see what I have achieved thanks to him getting me to start paddling! I think he would be very proud, especially of the Olympic final and Marathon medal! His race was part of the 2 day Peninsular Marathon. On the 2nd day we got to paddle around Robben Island, which is always an unbelievable experience! I won the event, and became the 1st woman to make A Grade in the Discovery/Men’s Health Surf Ski Series (on both days)!

Last race of the year is the Cape Point Challenge on the 19th, haven’t done much long distance for it, but we’ll hope for the best!!

New Nelo Ski

After the race, I went to see The Killers concert! Wow, it was awesome! Now I am back in Plett, with less than 2 weeks until the Cape Point Challenge!!

Dubai Shamaal

Waiting for the start now, shew it’s hot already. Really hope the wind is going to blow!

Check www.surfski.info for live commentary.

The Dragon Run

Shew, hard race! Very technical, great runs, but veeeerrrrry technical.

Had a good day out, felt comfortable on the runs, just got very cold at the start (didn’t pack any thermals), and it came back to bite me later on, as I started cramping with 5km’s to go. The last 5km were really hard, as I got to the Kissing Whale’s first, but with not too much of a lead, and I was convinced that Ruth and Katie were going to catch me. Managed to hang on to 1st, very stoked to win here in Hong Kong again.

Aussies took 1st – 3rd in the men’s race, with Lightee in 4th and Dawid in 5th.

This is definately a race not too miss. Great organisation, fanastic course, hospitality of note, and … shopping for Africa

Will try get hold of some photo’s soon.

Went to Kowloon today, hectic! 5 hours of serious bargaining, shopping, and trying to walk at the same time as more 50 000 other people. Good times!

Photo of the women’s clinic here in Stanley.

Knysna Sedgefield Race… Big Saturday

It was beeeg. Sorry this post is late. Going to let the pictures do the talking…

Great Day, Ocean Park and Ladies Paddling Clinic-more photo’s tomorrow

Babs @ Ladies Clinic

Ocean Park about to get raided by the Saffa’s

Movember

Me and Barry, training paddle

Hong Kong

I arrived in Hong Kong last night, after 3 flights, and a 200km drive. Eish, travelling from Plett adds a bit of time to anything But worth it to be living there at this moment.

Stayed with Rene and Babs last night, Rene treated us to a whole bunch of different Dutch cheeses. After a lie in, we made our way to Stanley, to the Sea School to move into our new accomodation with Bill the principle. It is freezing here, like 10 degrees. Much to my surprise after last year’s heat, and to the surprise of my packing skills, and very light and therefore empty bag… Perfect excuse to go past Stanley Market and SHOP for a warm top…

Some Chinese food for lunch (no chicken feet this time), and a fun paddle, and now I can feel that time difference setting in  

Map of race course below, good winds predicted… See http://www.thedragonrun.com.hk/ for the race website.

Cape Town

Spent the last week in Cape Town, stayed with good friend Megan Kelly (see www.holisticvet.co.za ). The wind blew, as it always does. Although on my first training paddle with the boys, it didn’t blow at all, making the 30 odd km’s seem more like 40 odd! Great to meet with old friends, I also forgot how beautiful CT is.

The plan was to get some solid training in, with an increase in intensity, as well as 2 races of the Discovery/Men’s Health CT Series.

Photo by Justin Vellacot/Gameplan Media

Both races went well, the first being a 3 lap affair in Fish Hoek, with some headwind, downwind, and 9 surf turns! Great fun! The second was an epic from Fish Hoek to Buffel’s Point in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, held in a seriously strong NW. The above picture is of the 3 lap Race in Fish Hoek.

Surprised with my fitness levels after only 2 weeks of training (or relieved ) Back in Plett now, with one more week of prep before the Knysna Sedgefield race, and then off to Hong Kong and Dubai. Not much time to train this year, going to have to rely on some great race tactics…

First Week of Training.

One week done, many more to go…

Summer is approaching, and the extra light hours are making getting up early a real treat. Low tides have made for some classic beach runs, and Bongo seems to be coping with the longer distances better:) Strength training has left me a lot more stiff and sore than usual, maybe that comes with turning 30? Otherwise, thoroughly enjoying being back on the water.

First ski session on Saturday, and there were at least 5 Southern Right Whales along the way, and then again, was within 50m of them on the beach run. Bongo kept stopping every time they would bellow out, and look at the sea. Not sure if he could see them, or if he just didn’t know what was making that noise.

On the Keurbooms River, which has been glassy (Yes Glassy Robbie-no wind )I spotted a troop of baboons on the bank, and the Fish Eagle was guarding his valley as usual. I am so lucky to be able to train here. Now just need to get the body to agree!

Travel Agent, Manager, Coach, Athlete :)

Today was a magic day in Plett. Walk on the pristine and untouched Keurboom’s Beach with my mom and the dogs Bella and Bongo. They were so pumped to get out there. Bongo had the most fun chasing after some sand flies! The small things! We live in such a beautiful place, and are so fortunate to have the opportunity to do what we do.

The Mad Mutts

Postponed my trip to Cape Town as I am still on a break, and totally enjoying not having to wake up and train. Although on a day like today I missed not paddling! I’m still pretty tired, so it’s good to rest and I am happy knowing that I am recovering for the hard season that is to come.

I I have been included in the “New Look” National Sprint Squad. It’s very positive that the Squad will now be getting financial and medical/sports science support. The past few years where we slogged it out have paved the way for the future generations, and I am glad to have contributed to this.

Racing to a win in the 2008 Hong Kong Dragon Run

Today was Travel Admin Day and I have just been booking flights for my upcoming Hong Kong/Dubai trip where I need to go and defend my titles. I was also Coach, and planned my training for the next 6 weeks “The Dragon-Dubai Plan”. Hope it pays off. Different approach to last year, as I was coming off a massive base after the Olympics. This year has been good, just long, so I’ve tried to keep the Dragon-Dubai plan full of fun and variation, not forgetting lots of HARD work:)

Hope this great weather sticks around until I start my training…

Training for Cape Point

Click on the link below:

Cape Point Ad