The 2025 Chronicle

well to win the U14 age group in that event.

event, and others using the opportunity to complete their river proficiency tests and build valuable experience in moving water. NAME POS K1/K2 AGE GROUP Craig Cribbins 55 K1 (U18) 4th Ivan Nel 178 K1 (U18) 21st Jamie Grantham 192 K1 (U16) 7th 20-22 FEBRUARY – DUSI CANOE MARATHON This year the Dusi was a K1 event, with K2s allowed to take part but not qualify for the category prizes. Heavy rainfall leading up to the race raised the level of the Msunduzi River to volumes not seen for a long time, making for exciting and challenging conditions. The canoeists not only had their endurance test ed over the 110km course but also had their big-water skills pushed to the limit. Four boys, Craig Cribbins, Robert Short, Duncan Roberts and Sam Hoy, represented Michaelhouse in the race. Congratula tions to all who took on the challenge, with a special mention to Sam Hoy for completing his first Dusi, partnered by canoeing coach Mr Snyman. Craig Cribbins was placed fourth in the high ly competitive U18 age group and also secured a silver medal by finishing in the top 50. NAME POS K1/K2 AGE GROUP Craig Cribbins 36 K1 U18 4th Robert Short 126 K1 U18 15th Sam Hoy and Mr Snyman 138 K2 Open 138 15-16 MARCH – UMKOMAAS CANOE MARATHON The 2025 event will be remembered as an epic, with organisers coming close to pulling juniors and novices from the main race. Heavy rains in the catchment area resulted in the river rising close to the deemed unsafe limit. Fortunately, the river held steady, allowing the juniors to stay in the race. The event was held over two days between Hela Hela and Riverside in the wild Umkomaas Valley and covered 70km. With nearly one third of the field failing to complete this year’s challenging race, Duncan Roberts, paddling K2 with Mr Rob erts, had a clean run over both days, finishing in the top ten overall, in sixth position. Michaelhouse once again hosted the popular Tugela 20s River Marathon in Winterton. Despite some challenges caused by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area, the race went ahead successfully. Some of the access points to the river were un der quarantine and not accessible for the race, so an improvised course was put together involving some creative upstream legs, requiring paddlers to paddle or portage up some small rapids. Michaelhouse had 11 boys take part, despite our matrics not being there because of their matric dance. The champs are only open to KZN canoeists competing in single canoes. Brett Roberts won the gold medal as the first KZN canoeist in the U14 age group, and Duncan Roberts claimed the silver in the U16 age group. Callum Baird was only able to race in the one day event, which didn’t count towards KZN rankings, but he did 2-3 AUGUST – TUGELA 20S KZN SCHOOLS RIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS

NAME

CATEGORY

AGE GROUP

U18 U16 U16 U16 U16 U16 U16 U14

9th

Robert Short

2nd

Duncan Roberts

9th

Sam Hoy

10th 15th 16th 17th

Jamie Grantham

Ethan Perry

Griffin Erasmus

Leo Watson

1st

Brett Roberts

27-28 SEPTEMBER – FISH RIVER CANOE MARATHON The Fish went ahead this year, which was a welcome relief after its being cancelled last year. The Michaelhouse tour is tradition ally a five-day affair, with boys tripping the river on the first three days in preparation for the race on the Friday and Saturday. Michaelhouse were well represented on and off the water by boys, staff and parents. Well done to all who finished, and spe cial mentions to: Craig Cribbins, who placed third in his age group and 12th overall; Sam Hoy and Jamie Grantham, who finished second in the U16 age group; and Duncan Roberts, who was racing in a higher age group and placed fifth. In the K3 category Mr Snyman, Mr Hodgkinson and Griffon Erasmus raced hard to claim first place in that category.

NAME

POS K1/K2 CATEGORY

Craig Cribbins and partner

12 28 34

K2 K2 K2

U18 3rd U18 5th

Duncan Roberts and partner

Brett Roberts and father

34th

Griffon Erasmus, Mr Snyman, Mr Hodkinson

41 K3 44 K2 50 K2 64 K2

K3 1st

U16 2nd

Sam Hoy, Jamie Grantham

Ivan Nel and partner

50th 64th

Ethan Perry and father

KZN AND SA SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS The KZN Sprint Championships were held on 8 March at Dudley Pringle Dam on the KZN North Coast. Strong wind and choppy water created testing conditions for the competitors. The event was also held earlier in the year than usual to accommodate the 2028 Olympic qualifying schedule. The SA Sprint Championships were held at the Roodeplaat Dam, Gauteng, during the first week of April. The event attracted the biggest field seen in many years and also formed part of the se lection criteria for those hoping to qualify for the LA Olympics in 2028. Craig Cribbins represented Michaelhouse at both events and achieved podium positions at both in the U18 age group.

KZN Sprint Championships podium positions for Craig Cribbins: K1 U18 350m 1st

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