Mauritius Day 3 – the elites gathering

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Wednesday, 08 September 2010  |  Written by Rob Mousley

Sunset in Mauritius!

Tomorrow’s race

The purpose of tomorrow’s race is “too have fun and to get used to the conditions”, said race director Anton Erasmus at the briefing this evening.

We will go this way: Anton Erasmus gives the race briefing

The weather is not playing ball – in any shape, size or form.  We have a 3kt southwester forecast for tomorrow (which really means “light and variable” or “we forecasters have to have something to say”.)

So we’re paddling a 12km out-and-back from here at Le Tamassa.  Out through the reef with the current, in the open ocean to Baie du Cap; in through the channel into the teeth of a brisk current; around a buoy and out like rockets with the current through the channel, back up to Le Tamassa and in against an even stronger current and back to the finish where there will be lunch and cold beer.

What went on today

Some of the paddlers opted for another 20km Tamarin-Le Morne run this morning. By all accounts the wind wasn’t as strong as it was yesterday and my decision to skip the paddle and visit Port Louis was probably not a bad one.

Leon Rossbotham and Rene Appel paddle towards Le Morne

What’s to see in Port Louis?  We (Ruth Highman and I) visited the newly restored “Company Gardens”, a relatively peaceful, cool oasis in the centre of the bustling city.  (When I say bustling – I mean just that: when you cross the road you take your live in your hands – taxis, busses, cars, hordes of motor bikes...)  The best bit was undoubtedly the crisp cold ale on the waterfront – overlooking the working harbour – no tourist-focussed, sanitized marina this.

Port Louis Fruit Stall

Following advice I ate some take-aways from the market stalls (delicious) and bought fruit (also delicious – grapes, out of season for us in SA...  didn’t touch them until I could rinse them thoroughly back at the hotel!)

Overall?  Hey, I’d go back, but next time in the company of local guides.  There are gems of architecture, cuisine (and beer so I’m told) that are well worth a visit.

More setup secrets...

This morning Danny Topfer and Brad Russell from Brisbane were setting up their skis – and exhibited some great surfski-geek toys... take an old ruler or hacksaw blade; clamp it with some pegs to the rudder pedals and hey presto – when you’re setting up the rudder, you know that the rudder pedals are straight.  And they had a great GPS mounting – attached to the footstrap with bungy cords.  Great stuff guys, I’m copying those when I get home!

Later on I spotted Hank McGregor lashing his balls to his ski; it makes it much more difficult to paddle, which is apparently a Good Thing just before a race.

Dawid and Nikki Mocke have the division-of-labour thing down to a fine art.  While the one paddles, the other looks after young Samuel – there’s no doubting who the boss is in this family.  I can’t imagine what the combination of genes is going to do to Sam – but I suspect that in 15 years time a super-paddler is going make waves in our sport (so to speak).  (Of course he’ll be up against the likes of the next generation of Cotters and Coles...)

Nikki Mocke, not looking after Samuel

Dawid Mocke, not paddling

Paparazzi

The 3 Monkeys crew interview Hank McGregor

Cameras were much in evidence during the day – the 3 Monkeys video crew were doing interviews with some of the top paddlers and when tonight’s sunset turned out to be spectacular the beach was suddenly crowded with hordes of photographers all wanting to get that tropical-island-sunset shot – including me. 

And as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, I swear I saw the legendary green flash...

Yet another great day!

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• Hank McGregor Hank McGregor
• Shot! Shot!
• Nikki Nikki
• Tom the Artist Tom the Artist
• Making Video Making Video
• Matt Bouman Matt Bouman
• Video shots Video shots
• Sunset Paddle Sunset Paddle
• Champ Champ
• Wakes Wakes
• Sunset Sunset
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