False Bay, Cape Town: February 8, 2008.

[Editor: Murray Williams sent us this account of a classic downwind run across False Bay here in Cape Town...]

The squad at Pringle Bay - 7am (Pic: Dawid Mocke)

We're considering starting a column on the site called, "The Adventures of Oscar the Paddler"...  Yep, he's at it again.  Oscar Chalupsky is on a European tour to visit the Epic dealers (and to create new ones).  Last seen in Wales, he's re-surfaced (briefly) in Sweden where he joined the local "Dawn Patrol" in a warm (0-2degrees Centigrade) paddle with some of the best Adventure Racers in the world.

Oscar sets off with the dawn patrol in Norkopping, Sweden.

Gale Force?  Interest has been expressed in some quarters as to just how strong the wind was last Wednesday when the Downwind Dash records were beaten.  Jean Tresfon, sent us the story of what happened at his factory - which is located near to Milnerton and probably experienced the same wind conditions.

Gale force winds at Milnerton, Wed 6th Feb 2008 (Pic: Brett Dorman)

Standing shivering with the temperature hovering in the high single digits and the wind chill factor dropping it to very close to freezing, I look on and wonder if Oscar’s enthusiasm for all things paddling ever wavers. The answer is clear . . . and is reflected in the bright young faces of the youngsters from Rhoose Lifesaving Club just outside Cardiff in Wales.

Next Generation of Paddlers from Rhoose LSC.