Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge

Start @ Central beach

Every year, I have the opportunity to take part in the Sabrina Love Challenge event here in Plett. The Sabrina Love Foundation does some pretty amazing work for children with disabilities, here is the web link www.sabrinalove.co.za The event gets great “celebrity” support, with Olympic swimmers Natalie du Toit and Chad Ho, Dusi Duke Martin Dreyer, Comrades icon Bruce Fordyce and many more taking part.

Plett Central Beach

This year there were over 1500 entries for the swim, mountain bike, surf ski, run and beach walk. Event organisers Magnetic South, as usual put on an unbelievable show, slick and well-run. 100% of entry money goes to the Sabrina Love Foundation, so thanks to all those who took part, and of course, thanks to Stonehage and Discovery for sponsoring it!

Martin, Natalie, Chad & me

Laurent, Jess & me at finish

Finish Line

Neal & Stef

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…

Plett :)

I am back in Plett, after an epic 12.5hr drive through the most amazing part of South Africa-the Transkei.

Training on the Keurbooms River

 Forgot how beautiful Plett is. The weather has been great so far. On my first day back I had a run along the beach, and spotted a Southern Right Whale just 10m from the shore! Awesome

Bit of a monstrous coldfront pulling through as I type, going to test my dedication to a paddle today. The spin bike could be a good alternative…

Leave for Portugal on Monday coming, here is the race website for more info:

http://www.canoemarathonwc2009.com/

Here’s a picture of the stunning Keurbooms River (doubt it will look like that today…)

Marathon Champs & Mauritius

Photo by Owen Middleton

Organising and competing are two things that shouldn’t be mixed. I actually think that organising could be harder than racing! The storm that hit Plett was unbelievable. Hail, snow on the mountains, gale-force winds! 2 trailors rolled on the drive down. Exciting stuff. Racing went well, next stop Portugal!

Now in Mauritius, raced the a warm up race today, INSIDE the reef because the surf was too big. Wasn’t elated to be doing more flatwater after the 50km’s of flat on the weekend, but it was the safest choice for the day. I managed to get away from Michelle Eder across the river mouth by some clever wave catching. I ended up 1st, Michelle 2nd and Carol Joyce 3rd.

Saturday’s prediction is looking good, the surf is dropping and there should still be wind. Can’t wait for a downwind!

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter to all! Hope the Easter bunny brought lots of nice surprises…

 

Here is a brief report back on the weekend’s racing:

 

Race 1: Nelson Mandela Bay World Series Race – Friday 10^th April

Fun course, slight headwind section, exciting to have to paddle through some pretty large waves near the Wreck, good downwind section back. 2 laps, plus minus 25km. Finished 1^st Woman, and 13^th overall in the Open (men’s) event. Nice to be part of the Splash Festival event.

 

Race 2: SA Single Ski Champs, Penny Pinchers Plett Race – Saturday 11^th April – 25km

Hard course, lots of headwind, but very exciting coming through the river mouth with the waves actually playing a big role in the race outcome. Raced well to win the SA Single Ski Title (2^nd year in a row) and finish 19^th Overall. (Waiting on an awesome photo sequence, will post them when I get them).

 

Race 3: SA Double Ski Champs, Plett to Nature’s Valley – Sunday 12^th April – 19km

Raced with Carol Joyce (flatwater paddler from our Olympic K4). Went well, not much wind, but one of the more scenic paddles in South Africa. Ended up around 13^th. SA Double Ski Title.

 

It was great to have everyone in my neck of the woods for a change, paddling people are the best people:) I also had my 30th Birthday Party, which had a theme (“come as something beginning with an M”). People went out of their way and the outfits were superb. I have put some up below… Thanks to my mom, sister and cousin Carla for providing awesome snacks, and to all who dressed up and came along!

 

After 3 hard days of racing, I am now in preparation for the Euro Challenge race in Spain in May (2^nd) followed by some Series races in Durban, and then comes the big Month of racing: Swartlands Canoe Marathon, SA Marathon Champs, Mauritius World Cups, Durban World Cup and possibly the Berg River Marathon. Heavy going, but I am super excited about it all!

 

When the Plett race’s TV schedule comes out I will post it on the blog. Until then, happy training.

After the Plett Race

Barry after the race

Glen finishing Plett

Glen, Nikki, Jess, Laurent

Magnum PI and friends

Moo Cows

The Mime and Magenta

Moulin Rouge

Michele x 2 ?

Plett Community Awards

On Friday night I had the privilege of attending the Plettenberg Bay Community Awards, which is aimed at acknowledging individuals who have achieved in various fields in the Plett area.

The Awards dinner was super, and the famous Sophie from Generations was flown in to hand out all the awards. I felt like I was receiving an Oscar with “…and the winner is…”

The picture above is of Sophie giving me the trophy for Sportsperson of the Year. For such a small town, Plett has produced quite a few sporting greats. Dave Rissik (Olympian-Equestrian), Kevin Evans (one of  SA’s top mountain biker), are just a few of the Stars in the Plett Sports Arena.

And here is an interesting website I found: www.cakewrecks.com It’s really funny what cakes have been turned out (I hope mine look better:) )Here’s one for the all the female readers!

Hot Bod?

I am off to Mauritius with Team Epic for the week. So excited!  Will take lots of photo’s and post news soon.