Good afternoon!

Saturday's Race......YOH! Check the pics on the www.surfskischool.com website...
We need a keen paddling photographer!
DOWNWIND CLINIC and Miller's Run - Limited Space!
A new group - The Ocean Advanced
CONDITIONS THIS SAT LOOKING GOOD!
Matt Ash wins the DVD....

So Saturday Varsity College Surfskischool was fabulous! We had quite a mix of weather; even a bit of a rain storm can you believe it. The wind was a mild onshore with a couple of waves to contend with. This made things slightly challenging for the Valentine's Day Race in the Ocean Expert group. But before talking about that, WELL DONE to everyone who wore red/pink for Valentine's Day. Also so sorry to the non-conformists who either had to do push ups or their respective "Champions" who had to endure the shame of the red-cap.

We set a testing 2 lap course making the 18 strong field paddle 1.5kms out towards Glencairn into the wind and back with the runs. Gill Brugman got to get a head start as it was her birthday and she made the boys suffer to catch her as she powered away into the wind. Richard Mudd was a standout cementing his lead with a solid downwind section from the turn buoy. An Everestial struggle ensued for second spot between the evergreen Kevin Brunette and man-mountain Charl Dreyer. Charl had to put on the power to keep the steam engine Brunette of his tail and so doing took second spot with a mere 20seconds to spare.
But by far the most notable battles along the course were happening in the middle of the field with a mere 2min 30secs from 4th to 12th, with positions changing constantly. The race for 4th was between the two Andrews. Mr. Turner had the lean on Mr Brouckaert however with the latter mumbling something about squash and a Miller's later on...? Andrew Turner however was probably not as motivated by beating Andrew Brouckaert as Andrew Brouckaert was motivated by the pocket dynamo Heidi Koch who was hunting them both down smartly. Heidi, who's enthusiasm could provide power for a small city, was putting the poor Paul Broxis (a new father and not afraid to use that as an excuse) between a rock and a hard place. The rock being an impossible to catch lady ahead of him, and the hard place being Grand Master Dougie Wakeford eager to show yet another "youngster" the definition of "tough". KZN to Cape convert Gary Clark was also able to show a youngster a tailslip as he beat Tom (my leg length is wrong) Kingwell, but I reckon his motivation came more from the green machine XT powered by Ashley Barnes, ahead him at the beach turn buoy. Tom on the other hand did some fantastic work by caching up 5 positions after his halfway break. Meanwhile the young Ashley Barnes was showing little mercy to Murray Kilgour as she crossed the finish line ahead of him. Bruce Kerswell came across the line all smiles clearly having a great time, followed by a first time Ocean Expert and slightly bewildered Andrew Veglio. Andrew was stoked with his first race as was Simone White who was hot on his heels. The ever smiling Charlotte Heijnis came across the line chatting followed by our pillar of strength Gill Brugman. Completing our field of Valentines Day racers was Estelle Tenant showing sheer determination depsite the rain squall, as well as recent Ocean Expert new-comer Peter Gardener who was content with a short course 1 lap option.

Keep watch my ocean paddling brethren; the race was a success and enjoyed by all and I'm sure is going to be a first of many.

We want photos!
Are there any budding photographers out there who would like to come to surfski sessions on Saturdays to take pics to sell on a end of year/season DVD??? Please guys if you're keen on the photogrpahy side of things and need some willing subjects to catch in the moment, the Varsity College Surfskischool is where you want to be on Saturday mornings.

Downwind Clinic and Miller's Run
We have 10 spots available for a Downwind Clinic next week. The clinic will be run during the afternoon from 14:00 and will include a Miller's Run.
To attend this clinic you will have to:
1. Have completed a set of classes in the Ocean Expert Category OR have completed at least 3 short course races
2. Bring your own surfski
3. COST = R350 per person
The clinic is obviously weather dependant and our window period is Wednesday 25Feb to Friday 27Feb. We need a South East wind of between 10 and 20knots with minimal swell (smaller than 10sec period).

Ocean Advanced
Keep our ears open for the launch of our new group in the Surfskischool - The Ocean Advance group. This group while still focussed on doing training and keeping fit, will also be doing longer paddles on the weekends as well as pushing their boundaries a bit more than happens in the Ocean Expert group.

To join the Ocean Advanced group you must use your own equipment.

This will open up more positions in the Saturday morning Ocean Expert group which is very needed as there are many in the OCean Paddler group who have now mastered the art of catching a wave.

Conditions looking GOOD!
Bookings are compulsory and essential to be done at The Paddling Centre 021 782 43 11

DVD Competition...
Last week's competition was won by Matt Ash. There were a number of shots taken at goal with some very near misses. MAtt Ash was the first on target.
The answers were: Never let go of your paddle, use your paddle to balance; and "When in Doubt, Legs Out.

Okay, lata skatas
Dawid