Hi                                                                                     

As marathon chairman I must honestly admit that this has been an enormous task but thankfully I have the backing of a very dedicated organising committee and also our local community are becoming more and more involved in the officiating and organising of this fantastic event. To all who have contributed to the organisation of this year’s marathon, your input is greatly appreciated.

The tragic passing of Jon Breetzke has really impacted on me and my committee and I would like take this opportunity to sympathise with the Breetzke family. Jon had completed 11 Fish Marathons and was a well-respected and popular canoeist from East London.

Louis Copeman

TV coverage

 

Watch the Fish coverage  House on Paint Aquatic Fanatic/Paddle Power this Wednesday on Super Sport 1 at 9pm!

Aquatic Fanatics
Wednesday 22 Oct SS1 21:00 (Premier) 

Thursday 23 Oct SS2/SS2A 07:30

Friday 24 Oct CSN, SS1 & SS1A 15:30  
Saturday 25 Oct SS2 & SS2A  00:00

Saturday 25 Oct SS6 11:30                   

Sunday 26 Oct CSN, SS2 & SS2A 03:00

Sunday 26 Oct SS1 & SS1A  17:00

Wednesday 29 Oct SS1 & SS1A  00:30

Fish n Chips guys n Girls in the November Edition of Aquatic Fanatic
Wednesday 26 November 21h00 SS1
Thursday 27 Nov 09h00 SS1
Friday 28 Nov 12h00 SS6
Saturday 29 Nov 15h00 SS5 
Sunday 30 Nov 18h00 SS5

Overstepping the mark at the Fish won't be tolerated
Generally the feed-back we have received has been positive, but a number of unsavoury incidents have been brought to our attention. Once again it is a minority who managed to cause unpleasantness at the marathon and this needs to be addressed in a serious light.

The behaviour of a certain group of canoeists and their seconds can only de described as pornographic and lewd and totally unacceptable to our family-orientated event! We have reached a stage that demands serious action from the committee and by 2009 structures will be put in place at the Cradock Spa and the After Parties to identify, expose and eradicate such perpetrators from the Fish.

We want the Fish to be a festive event BUT we will no longer tolerate any disgusting and selfish behaviour from anybody at our marathon, so please be fore-warned! There is no reason why you should leave the Fish feeling aggrieved because of an unwelcome element so we appeal to all decent paddlers to bring any such incidents to our attention IMMEDIATELY so we can deal with it straight away!

Paris to Saltpans
Access to Keith’s Flyover and beyond was a sensitive affair, however, we managed to reach a consensus and the new road became a reality.

Unfortunately, the surface of the new road between Keith’s and Saltpans could not handle the amount of traffic but by next year it will be well compacted and it’s true value will be realised.

New vantage points will also be added en route. As canoeists and seconds we appreciate the landowners commitment to this fantastic project.

A note from the Actionography crew
Congratulations to all at this years Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe Marathon. The Actionography team have been working frantically to get all the CD's order out and to you, of which we are nearly there.

The Website images are up and ready for viewing, so please do enjoy! If there are any queries please don't hesitate to contact us, we will be glad to help.

View images here >>>

Website and media
On a positive note, I feel that I have to say something about our awesome website! Dave and Samantha have been so supportive about our ideas and have really gone the extra mile to upgrade our website and make it as dynamic as it is. They also did a fantastic job with the media, we received great coverage in all the major newspapers, thanks to them both!

Pimp My Ride!
Congratulations to Rhett Quin and James Renton for winning the Pimp My Ride competition! This competition will become an annual highlight on the river!!

The prize was a sponsored feast at Steers for four and a bottle of Jagermeister!!!!
See pics of the winning crew here >>>

Gallery

We have put up some cracking pics for this years event - both action and general party pics by the Actionography team!

View pics here >>>

Make a point of visiting the website gallery page in the coming weeks as we will be uploading more pics as we receive them.

If you have a cracker fun Fish pic please send it to us here for inclusion in the gallery!

Have your say! Tell your story!
The Hansa Powerade Fish is a race by the paddlers, for the paddlers. If you have a comment or something you need to get off your chest, drop us a line by clicking on the button > > >

We have had a lot correspondence relating to the compulsory use of helmets- at this stage it is left to each individual to decide  for themselves, this matter will be raised at our next committee meeting.

What do you think about a chute over Collett Weir? This would have to be built in two levels and would make an interesting obstacle. We will negotiate with the farmers involved and if everything goes according to plan we will have it ready by 2009.

Should we create more technical rapids from Cradock Weir to the Finish? Extra vantage points on the new Keith’s to Saltpans road – such as the Old Ox Wagon Crossing just below Heuningkrans Bridge.

Visit the website at www.fishmarathon.org.za for all the latest news, and the views of the paddlers on the Forum page