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See below for the transcript of our live commentary of the Pennypinchers Plett Easter Race... We tried out our new "shoutbox" system - and we had 8 GPS Tracker units on skis.
Shoutbox Commentary
The shoutbox worked well and was much easier to use - both for us and for readers watching the race. We're going to add a couple more tweaks to it - we may put another shoutbox up for example so that readers can comment and interact with the commentators.
Click here to see what the shoutbox looks like...
(Note that the times have reverted to US time (or something) - there's a bug in the system which is being fixed.)
GPS Trackers
We had 8 tracker units, courtesy of Sportstrack, a South African company that manufactures the units as well as providing the on-line tracking consoles.
The display worked insofar as we could see the approximate positions of the skis - but the display was set to refresh only every two minutes and, depending on when the latest information had been received from the units, it occasionally appeared that one or other ski was ahead when in fact it just meant that the other ski's unit hadn't updated yet. We believe that this situation can be improved by increasing the frequency with which the positions are updated.
We expect the units to work really well in Hawaii where we'll have 40 units.
The Race
All the top paddlers raved about the race - Dawid, Peter Cole and Hank McGregor all commented that the in and out format provided a range of conditions, and they all enjoyed the challenge of crossing the river mouth through the surf. Both Dawid and Hank were knocked off their skis on the last lap - Hank managed to remount his ski almost instantly, while Dawid lost his and swam for about a minute which cost him the race.
Below is the commentary as it happened - in chronological order.
- A (1h57) :
- r (2h08) : Good morning and welcome to our new shoutbox commentary system!
- r (2h10) : Forgive us if there's the occasional glitch along the way - Alain and Rodney the developer finally got this working at about 1am this morning after hitting some nasty bugs... but that's partly why we're so keen to test the thing today!
- r (2h12) : So - for an update of the race: I've had conflicting reports on what the current weather conditions are: I spoke to "Steel Neal" Stephenson earlier and HE said that there was very little wind and that it was probably going to be a flat race; But I then spoke to Nikki Mocke (Dawid's wife and our commmentator for today) and she said that there was plenty of wind! So we'll get a definitive update in a few minutes when they're all at the beach...
- r (2h15) : Thanks to the Pennypinchers team for sponsoring the event - you guys rock! Thanks also to Fenn Kayaks who sprung another 10 big ones for the prize money. Fenn have been pouring increasing amounts of sponsorship into Surfski racing - mostly in the form of "Fenn hotspots" at the World Series races. Way to go Keith!
- r (2h16) : The race is due to start today at 09h00
- r (2h18) : Just tested communications with Nikki Mocke (we're doing our normal thing of Skype-out calls to her cell phone).
- r (2h19) : She's going to be on the escort boat with her Olympic K4 crewmate, Michele Eray who'll be taking photos using HER phone to send to us using MMS... So with any luck we'll have near-real-time images up as well.
- r (2h20) : Nikki confirmed that the wind has died & the sea has flattened out. Pity! Apparently yesterday the conditions would have been ideal for the race; today conditions are ideal for the beach! Such is life and whims of Mother Nature!
- r (2h21) : (In future we're going to try having a second shoutbox up so that you can interact with us. In the meantime we'd love to hear from you - either in comments on the article that pointed to this page; or via email - we'll post your comments up. Send them to
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- r (2h26) : 30 minutes until race start - they're about to have the briefing.
- r (2h34) : It's going to be fascinating to see the competition between Dawid & Hank McGregor - I don't think they've competed since Dubai last year.
- r (2h38) : And let's not forget Barry Lewin who always puts up a good fight - but he last beat Dawid two years ago in Cape Town...
- r (2h40) : Dawid and Hank will be on their Fenn Mako Elites; Barry on his Icon Lite;
- r (2h40) : The paddlers are on the water, warming up
- r (2h41) : Jasper Mocke is on an Icon Lite; Ian Black is on a Honcho Extreme; Pete Cole on a Fenn Mako 5;
- r (2h41) : The wind seems to be picking up
- r (2h42) : Natalie Verkranges is on an Icon; Alexa's paddling a Fenn.
- r (2h43) : My prediction amoung the women is that Alexa will walk it!
- r (2h44) : The water is pretty much glassy with a Southwesterly breeze.
- r (2h45) : The Fenn Hotspot buoy is just beyond a small shore break.
- r (2h45) : "If the guys time it wrong, they could have a bit of admin and get taken into the beach!"
- r (2h46) : The briefing is about to start. Looks as though they'll get away on time.
- r (2h47) : Hmmm... I hope the GPS units are going to be OK; I can only see Dawid's at the moment.
- r (2h48) : Ha, it's cool to see guys coming in to watch the live commentary from all over the world - Ian Gray is watching from Tahiti (or is it NZ?)
- r (2h49) : Caine Ekstein & Matt Carter from down under - they're getting geared up for Auckland next weekend
- r (2h49) : I hope to see you guys in Tahiti...
- r (2h52) : Back to the race: the briefing has been delayed a little due to the paddlers not coming off the water!
- r (2h58) : The organisers are still trying to get the guys out of the water - they're riding the shore break, enjoying themselves too much!
- r (3h06) : They've postponed the race for 30 minutes; briefing at 09h15; race start at 09h30!
- r (3h06) : "Typical Plett style," says Nikki Mocke
- r (3h09) : Just heard from Ian Gray in Tahiti
- r (3h10) : Conditions there are 38 degrees C with 10kt of wind! "With a 45km course, I think there would have been some pain"!
- r (3h11) : Ian also says, "Don't forget to mention Steve Woods. I was training with him back home before I left. He's been putting in some hard yards and has recently rsigned from his job at SA Paddler to follow the Surfski World Tour. "
- r (3h15) : (Please refresh your page to get rid of the glitches!)
- r (3h15) : (Still trying to get the hang of getting these images up here...)
- r (3h17) :
- r (3h17) : OK, got it at last
- r (3h17) : That's Jenna Halse at Plett - note the flat sea in the background!
- r (3h17) : The briefing has started
- r (3h18) : Looks as though the GPS units are starting to correct themselves too
- r (3h18) : The wind & waves are increasing in strength with every minute
- r (3h18) : If you scroll down you should see the map with units on them
- r (3h19) : You can zoom right into the map as well
- r (3h19) : Click on Aerial to see a google earth map; click Hide SportsTrack units to get rid of the menu.
- r (3h21) : Briefing is done; the guys are lining up
- r (3h23) : Aaaargh, Nikki just went offline - has she dropped her phone into the sea????
- r (3h24) : Waiting for the start
- r (3h27) : yes, Jasper is through the break first
- r (3h27) : They've started!
- r (3h27) : or not
- r (3h27) : Dawid, Jasper, Hank
- r (3h28) : a photo of the start is on its way
- r (3h28) : through the shore break without any problems
- r (3h28) : short course about to start
- r (3h28) : Heading out fast
- r (3h28) : About 50 guys in the long course
- r (3h28) : about 8 guys in the front bunch
- r (3h29) : They're waiting for the photographer & then the commentators will be on the water
- r (3h29) : Dawid, Hank, a red ski - who's on that red ski?
- r (3h29) : Four in front, 5m gap
- r (3h29) : Rich von Wildemann, Pete Cole on the second bunch
- r (3h30) : The two that are chasing are trying hard to get back on the front
- r (3h30) : Who's on the red ski???
- r (3h30) : Two people pulling away from the four now
- r (3h30) : Probably Hank & Dawid
- r (3h30) : They're caning it in the flat conditions
- r (3h30) : 4 in front, 2 chasing, gap and then the rest
- r (3h31) : Short course is starting - probably forty guys
- r (3h31) : At the front, the guys are sprinting off on the flat water
- r (3h31) : Waiting for the photographer...
- r (3h32) : Jamii Hamlin is in front of the short course - talk about a ringer!
- r (3h32) : "The guys are winding it!"
- r (3h33) : Two girls struggling in the surf - they're about to get slammed... 3, 2, 1, bam!
- r (3h33) : "I think he heard about prize money"
- r (3h34) : Check out the dots - Dawid is just in front of Hank!
- r (3h34) : AwesomeQ!
- r (3h35) : The commentators are launching so we can't talk to them
- r (3h36) : Looks like it's Stef le Roux in the red ski - but we'll confirm that in a couple of minutes
- r (3h37) : Wow - it looks as though Jasper may be leading at this point...
- r (3h39) : Commentators are heading out
- r (3h39) : The swell is actually quite big
- r (3h40) : two guys are out in front, one slightly behind
- r (3h40) : Quite bumpy - the guys are probably going to be quite spread out
- r (3h41) : THe boat has almost caught the front bunch
- r (3h41) : Dawid & Hank are in front; Stef Le roux (red ski) is in 4th
- r (3h42) : Pete Cole is 8th
- r (3h42) : 5th place is Steve Woods
- r (3h42) : 3rd place is Pete Cole
- r (3h42) : Hank & Daw 20m in front of the next guy
- r (3h42) : About 500m from the turn buoy
- r (3h43) : Barry 4th
- r (3h43) : Steve Woods 6th
- r (3h43) : Jasper 3rd
- r (3h43) : Hank around the buoy first, Daw is next to him
- r (3h43) : Rich v is 5th
- r (3h43) : Daw is slipping on Hank
- r (3h44) : Into the wind now, quite choppy
- r (3h44) : Stef Le Roux & Pete cole now around the buoy
- r (3h44) : Daw is hanging onto Hank's tail
- r (3h44) : Quite a big ground swell
- r (3h45) : First lady about 500m from the can
- r (3h45) : Pete & Stef are hanging in
- r (3h45) : Steve in 4th now
- r (3h45) : Daw has pulled in front of Hankl
- r (3h45) : Daw is pulling ahead - on a run
- r (3h45) : Long train of guys now
- r (3h46) : Hank is now slipping Dawid
- r (3h46) : Working hard now - wind is offshore, swell is onshore.
- r (3h46) : Steve W is catching Jasper; Daw & Hank side by side pulling away now
- r (3h46) : Looks as though the front bunch is closing up now.
- r (3h47) : Tricky to slip because of the swell - possibly easier to be on your own
- r (3h48) : Daw, Hank, then a gap
- r (3h49) : Jasper is out to one side
- r (3h49) : Big gap now with Ian Black in the group behind
- r (3h49) : Stef le Roux & Pete Cole
- r (3h49) : Daw & Hank with Jasper
- r (3h49) : Barry now pulling with Steve & Rich v W behind him
- r (3h50) : Daw & Hank are looking relaxed, grinding into the swell
- r (3h50) : Pete's making a surge on a run
- r (3h50) : Pete's making a charge, surging ahead of Barry
- r (3h50) : Barry and Steve are making a bit of a break now
- r (3h50) : 6th, 7th, 8th are dropping back
- r (3h51) : Daw & Hank are on a different line - Daw just looked around
- r (3h51) : Pete's now pulling the bunch with Stef, Barry, Richard, Steve
- r (3h51) : Jasper's been caught - he's on a different line
- r (3h51) : Pete is catching at a rate of knots, droppign the bunch
- r (3h52) : Maybe a bit of a current or somehting
- r (3h53) : Daw & Hank have moved across to cover Pete
- r (3h53) : The third bunch must be nearly 800m behind
- r (3h53) : The guys are all looking stroing
- r (3h53) : the second batch is about 6 skis now
- r (3h54) : Daw is pulling again
- r (3h54) : Grinding into the swell
- r (3h54) : About a km now from the river mouth
- r (3h54) : (Maybe that's not a good idea says Nikki - but that's Daw!)
- r (3h54) : Stef is pulling the second bunch, looks as though he's working hard!
- r (3h55) : The NSRI have a few boats out - doing a great job. Go NSRI!
- r (3h55) : The race seems to have settled for the moment
- r (3h55) : Second bunch is Barry, Steve, Richard, Pete, Jasper all being pulled by "Stef
- r (3h56) : Jasper looking very relaxed; chatting to Rich at the back of the group
- r (3h56) : Looks like Pete is trying to get to the front; no, Stef is still pulling like a machine.
- r (3h56) : The 3rd bunch is fallling further behind
- r (3h57) : Richard is dropping off the bunch to chat with Jasper!
- r (3h57) : Not a lot of action going on - Daw is still pulling Hank
- r (3h58) : Daw & Hank pulling further away
- A (3h58) : Picture of the beach is on the way...
- r (3h58) : There's quite a big swell breaking on the beach - could also affect the race!
- r (3h58) : But Nikki reckons there may be currents that could change things
- r (3h59) : To go around will take a good 400m longer - they're going to have to go through the waves
- r (3h59) : If they go short - there are 6ft crunchers
- r (3h59) : The turn will be in about 5 min
- r (3h59) : The shortest line is where the biggest waves!
- r (4h00) : Daw & Hank coming past the escort boat now - they're aiming straight at the big waves
- r (4h00) : Daw is looking around at the waves, looking alert
- r (4h01) : Daw is taking a very risky line - they're ona huge wave
- r (4h01) : Steve taking a safer line with the rest of the group
- r (4h01) : Steve Woods has just passed
- r (4h01) : Daw & Hank
- r (4h01) : Steve is on a different line - heading to a smaller swell
- r (4h02) : Can't see Daw & Hank now
- r (4h02) : Pete's chasing hard to get onto a swell.
- r (4h02) : just waves
- r (4h02) : Daw & Hank still on the wave
- r (4h02) : The second group is on a safer line
- r (4h03) : Can't see Dawid & Hank - enveloped in waves
- r (4h03) : Here's a big wave for the second bunch. Oooh!
- r (4h03) : Now they're in the foamies
- r (4h03) : Whole bunch on the wave together - smaller than DAw/Hank's wave
- r (4h04) : 7th, 8th, 9th just approaching
- r (4h04) : Looks like Ian Black is somewhere in the mix
- r (4h04) : Should see Daw & Hank reappear on the way out again.
- r (4h04) : way back
- r (4h05) : NSRI can't get in either.
- r (4h05) : Alexa is in 23rd spot on the 5th bunch
- r (4h05) : There's a photo of the start
- A (4h05) :
- r (4h06) : They're going to phone someone on shore to get word of what's happening at the turn buoy
- A (4h06) :
- r (4h07) : There are some pretty big waves happening in the river mouth
- r (4h07) : Can see some skis coming out
- r (4h08) : Hank probably got the hotspot
- r (4h08) : Hank's in front
- r (4h08) : Looks as though Hank's in front
- r (4h09) : They're close together
- r (4h09) : Looks as though Daw may have lost his hat...
- r (4h09) : Where have they gone???!
- r (4h09) : "He'll be so bleak, he loves that hat"!!!
- r (4h09) : Hank's got a black outfit on, they're trying to confirm who's in front...
- r (4h10) : Two front guys are neck & neck
- r (4h11) : Daw's leading, Hanks close on his tail
- r (4h11) : They're coming around the point now - close to the rocks
- r (4h11) : No, it's ok, Daw's kept his lucky hat!
- r (4h11) : A double just got taken out by a big wave
- r (4h12) : Looks as though they're going for the hotspot
- A (4h12) :
- r (4h12) : They're about 500m from the turning buoy
- r (4h12) : Hank tried his own line, but has now come back onto Daw's tail
- r (4h12) : Hank is going hard...
- r (4h12) : Daw has broken away from Hank on a different line
- r (4h12) : Looks as though Hank's going slightly faster
- r (4h13) : Trying to phone again - there we are
- r (4h13) : Daw's just won the hotspot
- r (4h13) : They are the leaders heading in
- r (4h13) : Aaargh, I've been put on hold!!!
- r (4h14) : Barry, Rich v W then Pete
- r (4h14) : Jasper also taking a very close to shore line
- r (4h14) : Jasper & Steve fallen way back - must have had drama in the surf
- r (4h14) : Jasper now out
- r (4h15) : Jasper's looking tired in 6th place, still well ahead of Steve Woods
- r (4h15) : Barry in 3rd, then Richard, then Pete
- r (4h15) : Confusion... short course guys coming paast
- r (4h16) : Ian Black just came out
- r (4h16) : Must have had a mare in the surf
- r (4h16) : Steve now behind Ian Black?
- r (4h16) : Jasper's now going around the turn buoy
- r (4h17) : Stef now out
- r (4h17) : Short course guys are mixed up with the field
- r (4h17) : Steel Neal now coming out.
- r (4h18) : skis everywhere, surf is getting huge
- r (4h18) : Haven't seen any of the girls
- r (4h18) : Going to head out now to the turn bouy
- r (4h18) : Jamii Hamlin's around 7th position
- r (4h18) : Someone's hooked on the turn buoy
- A (4h19) : Note that the lagoon mouth has moved, that is why it looks like the course crosses land in the arial map.
- r (4h19) : The wind's picking up quite a bit
- r (4h19) : The escort boat's heading out to the turn bouy.
- r (4h21) : Pete just dropped off the 2nd bunch so it's Richard von W & Barry in the second bunch
- r (4h21) : Hank's pulling but they're way ahead
- r (4h21) : Barry just stopped paddling; Richard just took over the pull
- r (4h21) : Barry's going hard for 3rd place with WildRich on his tail
- r (4h21) : Jasper is about 400m back
- r (4h22) : Looks as though Hank's GPS stopped transmitting
- r (4h23) : Daw is pulling again - they're about half way out to the turn buoy again.
- r (4h23) : It's a little more bumpy and windy
- r (4h23) : Hank's GPS is on again!
- A (4h24) : Where does the course go now Rob?
- r (4h24) : Derek Harvey - the night watchman!
- r (4h24) : Derek someone...
- r (4h24) : One of the back markers is trying to go in through the surf - both legs out...
- r (4h24) : Hank & Daw looking strong
- r (4h26) : Escort boat heading out
- r (4h27) : He had a little rest as he went around the buoy!
- r (4h27) : Jasper's looking very tired
- r (4h28) : They're at the buoy now - the guys are a couple of hundred meters away
- r (4h28) : Someone's broken away from someone in the Daw/Hank relationship!
- r (4h28) : They've taken different lines, trying to catch runs
- r (4h28) : They're apart, can't say who's in front
- r (4h29) : Daw around first (nikki screaming encouragement)
- r (4h29) : Hank's looking a little tired, a little back\
- r (4h29) : Someone's said something rude to the other one!
- r (4h29) : Hank 5 strokes behind
- r (4h29) : Daw may be in front, but Nikki may be biased
- r (4h30) : But Hank & Daw are together again, Hank on Daw's tail
- r (4h30) : Hank pulled alongside
- r (4h30) : Next group still haven't got to the buoy
- r (4h31) : Barry doesn't look like he wants to pull but Rich doesn't look like he can!
- r (4h31) : Daw & Hank are paddling with a higher stroke rate...
- r (4h31) : Barry & Richard at the buoy
- r (4h31) : Daw has decided to pull again.
- r (4h32) : Barry &
- r (4h32) : Barry has picked up the pace a bit
- r (4h32) : The wind has swung to the SE a little
- r (4h32) : Rich have just got to the buoy
- r (4h32) : Daw & Hank are really picking up the pace
- r (4h32) : Pete's around the buoy... now!
- r (4h34) : Steve, Ian Black, Jasper, PE boy coming up to the bouy
- r (4h34) : Steve, PE boy, Ian Black, Jasper
- r (4h35) : Stef & Andrew stronogh (sp?)
- A (4h35) :
- r (4h36) : Escort is heading in now to watch the finish
- r (4h36) : Swell & wind really picking up now.
- A (4h36) :
- r (4h36) : Eddie Roos is the "PE boy"!
- r (4h37) : Boat is heading back to the finish.
- r (4h37) : Steve Woods plus group now catching Pete...
- r (4h39) : Jasper has dropped off the bunch but Barry & Rich are well ahead
- r (4h39) : Daw & Hank way out front'
- r (4h39) : Alexa at least 2km ahead in the girls race, she's dominating
- r (4h40) : Donna & Natalie are together - at least 1.5km behind Alexa
- r (4h41) : Daw & Hank have to go into the river mouth through the surf, out again and across to the finish...
- r (4h41) : So it all depends on the surf now
- r (4h42) : Lots of wind noise - the boat is heading towards the beach
- r (4h42) : Daw & Hank are still neck & neck
- r (4h42) : Just passed Derek Harvey... still got his legs out...
- r (4h43) : The surf is definitely bigger, breaking further out...
- r (4h44) : (Maybe I'm talking nonsense says Nikki)
- A (4h44) :
- r (4h44) : Waiting off the rocks now
- r (4h44) : Hank & Daw have gone wide again
- r (4h45) : Daw & Hank are wide of each other, catching runs
- r (4h45) : One of them has definitely broken away now
- r (4h45) : Can't see who's in the front now
- r (4h45) : That's Hank & Daw a few minutes ago
- r (4h45) : One of them has moved ahead of the other
- r (4h46) : They're on different lines
- r (4h46) : Someone has just moved way ahead - looks like Hank, can't see
- r (4h46) : Hank's dropped Dawid
- r (4h47) : Hank has changed gear - if Hank catches a wave, he'll be away
- r (4h47) : Hank's dropped the hammer...
- r (4h47) : Dawid is coming closer to shore; Hank's going ballistic
- r (4h47) : Hank has opened up probably 15m
- r (4h47) : There's a wave.
- r (4h48) : "Jeepers I think Hank is keen to win"
- r (4h48) : Hank is on a slightly different line, just caught a wave
- r (4h48) : Hank's wiped out
- r (4h48) : That's it, but wait, Daw's on a wave
- r (4h48) : Daw's wave is a bit bigger...
- r (4h48) : Daw's timed it well,
- r (4h49) : Hank's back on his ski,
- r (4h49) : Hank's in the white water
- r (4h49) : but Hank is further out
- r (4h49) : aaargh can't see clearly what's happening
- r (4h49) : they're level
- r (4h49) : looks as though Daw's in a safer spot
- r (4h49) : daw's still onteh wave
- r (4h50) : Barry is coming towards the surf
- r (4h50) : Barry has dropped Richard von W
- r (4h50) : Hank had a really quick swim...
- r (4h50) : Still going in now on the same wave, they're together
- r (4h51) : That's how far behind they are... oooh Barry missed another one
- r (4h51) : no, he missed it
- r (4h51) : Daw & Hank are in the river mouth now
- r (4h51) : Pete is catching Richard
- r (4h51) : Barry now hooking a wave
- r (4h51) : Barry just caught a wave...
- r (4h51) : Richard's looking tired
- r (4h52) : Richard just cuaght the one behind, Barry's now on the wave in front
- r (4h52) : Barry had a frustrating time in those first few waves.
- r (4h52) : "Shame, poor Barry"
- r (4h52) : Barry's having a mare
- r (4h52) : Richard's catching a wave right up to Barry, yep he's there.
- r (4h53) : Escort is heading to the beach now to check the winners
- r (4h55) : According to the GPS trackers, Hank & Daw are on the way out again - they've got about 1km to go. We'll call Nikki again in 2min to get commentary of the finish...
- r (4h56) : Looks as though the GPS units have worked reasonably well - they'll be very useful at Molkai where the distances are greater..
- r (4h57) : The only slight issue is when they don't update together & it gives the impression that one or another of the guys is further ahead than he is...
- r (4h57) : OK, back to Nikki
- r (4h58) : The other guy is out of sight, the 2nd person obviously got nailed.
- r (4h58) : Whoever is rounding the point is on his own, can't see who it is...
- A (4h58) : I think we'll need to increase the refresh rate of the GPS units next time.
- r (4h58) : Who is it?
- r (4h59) : hard to say, both have similar techniques
- r (4h59) : Hank is going to win; Dawid is a way back - must have been a problem in the surf
- r (4h59) : It's Hank
- r (5h00) : running up to the finish
- r (5h00) : Dawid is about 100m behind; Hank's got it in the bag...
- r (5h00) : Hank's on the sand
- r (5h00) : Hank's catching a little wave... and...
- r (5h00) : Hank's rounding the can; Daw's looking tired.
- r (5h01) : Well done Hank!
- r (5h01) : and he's won...!
- r (5h01) : Daw's rounding the buoy now, coming in
- r (5h01) : The other guys haven't even come around the point yet
- r (5h01) : Daw's on a little wave - Daw'd lost his hat - that's what happened...!
- r (5h02) : 3rd & 4th are coming around the rocks
- r (5h02) : Daw & Hank are shaking hands...
- A (5h02) :
- r (5h02) : Can't take any more photos, the phone's full!
- r (5h03) : Dawid wiped out as well
- r (5h03) : Hank: "got a bit of a lead, took a swim "
- r (5h03) : "Quite a tricky race "
- r (5h03) : "I had the luck on the day "
- A (5h03) : Looks like Daw lost his GPS too. It is still in the lagoon.
- r (5h04) : "Beautiful venue "
- r (5h04) : "Dawid paddled really well "
- r (5h04) : Barry just finishing now
- r (5h04) : "all round good race, exciting "
- r (5h04) : Richard finishing as well in 4th
- r (5h04) : Dawid did win the hotspot
- r (5h05) : Dawid: "Hank put a big interval in, got ahead "
- r (5h05) : Peter Cole just in, 5th place
- r (5h05) : Dawid: "we were sparring all the wave around"
- r (5h05) : Both came off in the surf, but Dawid lost his ski; Hank got in quicker
- r (5h06) : There was a big group half way around
- r (5h06) : Barry: "flipping heck - Daw & Hank just put the hammer down early"
- r (5h07) : "I put the hammer down at the end of the first lap, didn't want Jasper, etc"
- r (5h07) : On the way in we had 6 guys on the same wave
- r (5h07) : Stef & Steve Woods swam
- r (5h08) : Caught a nice wave into the river mouth
- r (5h08) : Pete Cole: "it was a fun, start was a bit chaotic "
- r (5h08) : Next in is Steve Woods & Hennie le roux
- r (5h09) : "Awesome race, really well run"
- r (5h09) : "Barry went hard at the finish, I just didn't have it"
- r (5h09) : "the waves were huge in the mouth"
- r (5h09) : "lost the first bunch "
- r (5h10) : "Really challenging, never really know where you are - and you always know that the mouth is going to be challenging... "
- r (5h13) : Well, there we are - 1st Hank; 2nd Dawid; 3rd Barry Lewin; 4th Richard "WildRich" or "Chopper" von Wildeman; 5th Peter Cole; 6th Steve Woods; 7th Hennie le Roux...
- A (5h13) :
- A (5h14) : Some 'hat losing' surf.
- r (5h15) : And a word of thanks to Nikki Mocke for talking to us & Michele Eray for taking the photos.
- r (5h15) : All comments welcome - what do you think of the format of the text commentary; did you find the GPS Tracking interesting?
- r (5h16) : Thanks too to Sportstrack for letting us use the GPS units & for setting it all up for us!
- A (5h18) : And thanks to Rodney Dinkins for jazzing up the shoutbox to handle images.
- r (5h20) : Daw's GPS unit is still "in the lagoon"
- r (5h20) : But that's because it was swept under his juice bag.
- r (5h21) : "Such a kif race," he said.
- r (5h21) : Dawid had a major wipeout & lost his hat in the surf. "I've still got salt water coming out of my nose!"
- r (5h22) : All the guys I've spoken to have raved about the race course and conditions.
- r (5h23) : Ok, I think that's a wrap from us... Thanks also to Alain for processing the photos and for working until 1am this morning to get the shoutbox working.
- A (5h25) : Nice work Rob, well organised, great commentary. SS.I's game is upped a big notch today.
- r (5h30) : Clearly Alexa is in now, having taken the ladies race.
- r (6h00) : We'll update with the results of the ladies race ASAP...
- r (6h02) : OK, it was 1. Alexa Lombard, 2. Kirsten Wessels, 3. Natalie Verkranges
- r (7h56) : (Oh and by the way - Jamii Hamlin did the long race... except that at the end of the second lap he was on a huge wave going into the river mouth with two other skis when one of them went broadside. Jamii crashed into it and broke the nose of his own ski...)
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