Of Sponsors and CT paddlers

Sounds like the WCCU membership is the expensive part. I wonder what the other provinces charge.

Might be a good idea to join a club in another province as a country member.

Easten Cape
www.eccu.co.za/affiliation-fee
2014 subs : CSA R275 + ECCU R85 = Total R360 (7,5% increase)

Kzn

www.kncu.co.za/upload/files/KWAZULU%20NA...20FEES%202014-15.pdf

Total R595 (CSA R275)

Seriously, Ryno?!

That's just crazy cheap! Or should I say "much more reasonable".

Apologies to CSA for slating them earlier about the high costs involved. It seems WCCU is likely the one charging the extra premium on the fees, which is a different issue for another thread.

Which also changes the whole premise that this thread got hijacked over - the part where CSA costs were affecting paddler numbers due to safety issues. It seems less likely that this is CSA at all.

I emailed WCCU to ask for clarification on some of these issues and if I get a reply I will post more info.

Can I just ask that no-one flames WCCU? They're good people over there.

Richard Sutton is surfski rep on WCCU and Barry Lewin is surfski rep at CSA level, so it would probably be better to work through them, than to harass WCCU directly.

In my opinion we want to work with WCCU, not against them!

@Jagter - wonder if the WCCU will allow you to compete in the WCape with non-WCape numbers. As I understand it, the 1st digit relates to the province, 5=WCCU.

Might be a good idea to join a club in another province as a country member.

I did enquire about this a couple of years ago - strictly prohibited!

I am sure this can help.In KZN we are arranging to have surflifesaving clubs affiliated.No need to join another club to get recognised.

robin.mousley wrote: Can I just ask that no-one flames WCCU? They're good people over there.

Richard Sutton is surfski rep on WCCU and Barry Lewin is surfski rep at CSA level, so it would probably be better to work through them, than to harass WCCU directly.

In my opinion we want to work with WCCU, not against them!

Hi, Rob, I agree with you and I'm sure I was very diplomatic in my email. Signed with my real name. No flaming from this side.

robin.mousley wrote:

Might be a good idea to join a club in another province as a country member.

I did enquire about this a couple of years ago - strictly prohibited!

Ha ok. Looks like I'm lucky to live in a cheapskate province.

Geographically I'm in the Western Cape, but for some bizarre reason we fall under Eastern Cape Canoe Union. (which now turns out to be stroke of luck)

They had 72 surfskis at the last seadog - impressive

robin.mousley wrote: Total: R650 for a half year. That covers me for the summer racing season.

From what I can gather, the official stance is that even if you are just paddling 10km PCC Time Trials in the winter, you should be registered.

In fact, I think even if you are just on the water, with no race at all, you may need to be registered.

A couple of Reverses and TTs during winter and your cost goes up to R1050.

Ric wrote: I emailed WCCU to ask for clarification

To summarise the replies from WCCU:

1. SAMSA governs all navigable waterways - fresh & salt water
2. Paddlers need to comply with SAMSA - it is the law
3. CSA / WCCU working very hard to sort out this horrible mess
4. From what I understand, there was never a <10km exemption from SAMSA - that was something race organisers did
5. Hoping to have some announcement next week to start clarifying the situation for us paddlers

So basically the guys in high places are working hard trying to find a win-win situation for all involved parties.

@ Ric - I would like to know why WCCU ask around R1,000 vs ECCU's R85 per year.....

I have been checking up on Surfski rules - gleaned from the web

This from www.surfski.co.za - see the bit about races over 10km and CSA (section 2)
www.surfski.co.za/seriesinfo.php?id=26

Am I correct - that do get CSA licence this can only be done through a registered club, therefore one has to belong to a club as well - add that to the Fee guys.

Here's one from Aussie - seems they also require membership:

Before entering you will need your Australian Canoeing membership number and password.

yes : CSA + WCCU + Club = number

John, except that strictly speaking, there is no 10km threshold. ALL paddlers entering the water should be registered with CSA, be it for a race, or for leisure.

And, yes, the R150 club membership has been added into most of the figures above already.

Numbers at all Cape Surfski events were at a peak or close to a peak when CSA became involved. Numbers at races dropped immediately after CSA registration became a requirement.

Paddlers that never registered simply rounded up a posse of mates and did what was convenient for themselves. They never came back.

That's what happened and I'm not having a go at CSA.

Some high ranking officials at SAMSA paddle recreational kayaks and even surfski's and are aware of our needs in respect of 'barriers to paddling'. Anchor, rope chain etc.

There are other options to satisfying SAMSA such as www.seakayak.co.za/tasks/tasks_formation.asp

There are very good reasons for working with CSA in respect of insurances at races (If it really exists) and elevating the profile of SA paddlers internationally through attendance at overseas races and sanctioning local 'Championship' races.

Cape Town Series Race 1 at Fish Hoek.......the organiser was unable to select the 'Group' on the bulk SMS site due to an IT glitch. He tried again and again.

figures from yesterday's CapeTown Surfski Series Race @ BigBay:
29 long course
10 short course