AVID paddlers will chop up the water at St Francis Bay in their furious quest to become the next King of the Kromme.
Now in its 14th year, the annual Pam Golding Properties King of the Kromme is set to take to the water at Quaysyde Restaurant in Seaglades Drive, St Francis Bay, at 14:00 on Easter Saturday, April 20.
It is anticipated that the shift of the event from a Monday to a Saturday, will see over a hundred paddlers competing this year.
Hosted by the St Francis Paddling Club and sponsored by Pam Golding Properties, the main race will stretch over 20km, while the short race will have contestants paddling for 12km.
The 20km route from the Quaysyde Restaurant will follow the canals for 1km, before paddlers will head up the Kromme River for 8km until they reach the Geelhout Tributary. From there it is 2km to the turn at the buoy.
The race (back along the same route) starts – against the tide, with high tide at 16:30.
“This is a particularly special stretch with indigenous bush right up to the banks. The river becomes ever narrower until it is about 8m wide at the turn,” says Richard Arderne from Pam Golding.
Though it is a singles race, doubles are also welcome.
It is hoped that the prestigious floating trophy will go to a local paddler. So far, the race has been dominated by Port Elizabeth’s Jasper Mocke, Greg Louw, Luke McNish, Scot Johnson, Calvin Zeelie and Jordan Zeelie. Other winners include Matt Bouman from Durban, Juan Maree from Cradock and Dave Hamilton-Brown from Johannesburg.
The main prize for the 20km single race is R2 000, while the runner-up and second runner-up will receive R1 000 and R500 respectively.
A split-shaft Carbonolgy paddle valued at R2 500 will be up for grabs in the lucky-draw.
The entry fee is R150 per paddler, which includes a meal from Quaysyde Restaurant and a locally brewed beer: Beach Blonde from St Francis Brewing Company.
For more information, contact Arderne at 083 284 0168.
