2022 SA School Sprints
The Canoeing South Africa National Sprint Championships and South African Schools Sprint Championships will be held at the Lomond Dam near Gansbaai in the Western Cape on April 23rd to 25th. With three exciting days of racing this is the premier event on the South African sprint calendar!
The event will function as a qualifier for upcoming World Cup sprints and for the Olympic Hopes competition. Be sure to watch CSA media for details regarding nomination!
Clean water flowing down through the Uilenkraals Rivier from the surrounding mountain catchment fills the Lomond Dam. The dam is deep and weed free. Racing lanes will be setup parallel to the edge of the dam with ample spectator space near the finish line and plenty of parking.
The surrounding area is known for its natural beauty! Onshore, the rich Fynbos is packed with endemic species waiting to be discovered. Mountain biking, trail running, hiking or just plain ambling along are all available for those not paddling. The coastline and near ocean waters are similarly filled with treasures to marvel at! Coastal walks, surfing, fishing and shark-cave diving amongst these! Gourmet restaurant or plain old fish-and-chips? Our hosts on the Lomond Wine Estate produce highly acclaimed wines that will be available for tasting. Plenty to eat, see and do!
Entry info:
Entries will be online via the CSA Paddler Portal – https://paddler.canoesa.com/.
Course:
The course will be prepared toward the northern bank of the dam. The finish line will be located adjacent to the site facilities with a timing tower and weighing tent close to the finish line. Boat movement exiting from the water will be between the timing tower and weighing tent with return to boat storage and pounds behind the timing tower.
Entry to the water is on the start line side of the timing tower. Paddlers will move up to the start line in a space about 30m to 40m wide between the shore and the closest lanes.
There will be plenty of space for warm up to the far side of the start line or out toward the more southern shore shore and along the dam wall from the finish line.
Starts will be managed from a floating platform moved according to the event distance.
Start lines will be marked at 1000m, 500m, 200m and 100m.
Climate:
The April / May time period consistently offers the nicest weather conditions for outdoor activities. Days are generally mild and clear with strong probability of low wind conditions. This is the best time to visit the Cape without the extremes of either summer or winter!
Average expected daily maximum temperatures will likely be in the low 20s. Mornings are starting to get chilly with temperatures in the early teens on the cards.
Location:
The Lomond Dam is on the Lomond Wine Estate – https://www.lomond.co.za/
GPS: 34°33’58.8″S 19°28’58.4″E
The estate is about two and a half hours drive from Cape Town International Airport. From the Cape Town side it is an easily accessible drive passing through Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai. From the Eastern Cape side it can best be reached turning off the N2 shortly after Riviersonderend and heading down the R326 to Stanford.
After passing through Gansbaai expect about 15 minutes easy drive to reach the estate with the last 950m on a gravel road.
https://goo.gl/maps/AdwmrbnyGHa4XUB48
Accommodation options
Lomond Wine Estate Accommodation Options within 5km’s of the dam:
Witkrans Farm – Sean and Michelle Privett
Two self catering cottages available.
Buchu Cottage – 4 sleeper and Cone Bush Cottage can sleep 6-10 people.
http://www.witkrans.com
0824645115
Fountain Bush Cottage – Sally Du Mond
Can sleep 6 in total
076 412 0740
Bodhi Khaya
Various cottages for rent
https://www.bodhikhaya.com/
Berg n Dal Farm
Three self catering options.
https://greatcapeescape.com/
Uylenvlei Retreat
The Retreat offers conference facilities, luxury self catering units, well equipped tent rondavels, Strandveld rooms, a sun heated swimming pool, braai facilities, a boma and safe parking.
www.uylenvlei-retreat.co.za
uylenvlei@worldonline.co.za
Blomerus Guest Farm
This self catering house sleeps 6 – 10 people in 5 bedrooms
www.blomerusguestfarm.co.za
Strandskloof Caravan Park
Some self catering units and 50 grass camping plots set snug up against the Franskraal Mountains with amazing views of the ocean. Immaculate bathrooms with hot water (seriously, they do not look like campsite bathrooms!), wash rooms and power to all sites. Swimming pools, putt-put and quads.
www.strandskloofpark.co.za
Farm 215
A four star country house surround by fynbos and spectacular views of Uilkraalvallei. Luxury accommodation is offered in either free standing fynbos units, or rooms within the homestead. The free standing units are solar powered, so keep this in mind when booking. Unable to use hair dryers & Straighteners in the units, but can in the Homestead. Driveway unsuitable for low ground clearance vehicles.
http://farm215.co.za
Rusthof Accommodation
A large 5 bedroom farm house and an additional 2 bedroom farm cottage, both self catering.
langenhovenchrista@gmail.com
Grootbos Nature Reserve
27 five star suites and a luxury villa, set within a fynbos nature reserve with stunning views of the ocean.
www.grootbos.com
Goedvertrou Guest Farm
The Traveller’s Cottage can accommodate 6 people with a maximum of an extra 2 adults.
www.goedvertrou.co.za
One can also look in the close by towns of Baardskeerdesbos, Franskraal, Pearly Beach or Stanford for alternative options.
