The Needle: Christmas Edition

Ho ho ho. I can finally laugh now that the Sword of Damocles, otherwise known as the four and a half hours of impending doom, or the Cape Point to the uninitiated, is done.

I must say that this was probably my most enjoyable Cape Point to date. We had a great bunch of guys in our batch from all over the world. Places like Tolouse, Dubai and as far afield as Sea Point (thank you Daniel and Willem for making the long trip).

I was also very proud of Mr Erasmus who took my place as the guy who was pissing people off on the bunch with some "assertive driving". Was hoping to have some clips from my GoPro to share with this post but apparently GoPros work better when you charge them so that will have to be a treat for another year.

A number of Needle competitors did make it out from behind or out of their respective desks, beds or mother's skirts, which, in the words of that old Savanna Cider ad, was "Nice". Unfortunately lads, I have not been able to bring in the doubles results and Ruby, driving out to the start is unlikely to save you from the "Wally" award, soz.

In terms of results, after the exceeding awesome Peter Creese Millers Run on Tuesday where I managed to pip Maddock in his backyard, things were looking up for me however said "Unit" of a man taught me a proper lesson from Partridge Point home on Cape Point and is now 2 points clear. Daniel made good on his threats to teach Willem a lesson and grabbed the double up points that were up for grabs on the day to place him just 1 point behind the Show Pony in the overall standings.

And now the moment that you have all been waiting for, badge time:

The Look

Downwind Dan

The Show Pony

The Afrikaans Contingent

The Super Athlete

The Unit

Yours Truly

Ruby

Community Rant..... or not

Today's Needle was going to be dedicated to ranting about the lack of community within the surfski "community" in Cape Town. But, on reflection, I do recall similar things being said about Emmarentia Dam. Perhaps the nature of canoeing/surfski is such that, based on it's individualistic nature, the most that one can hope for is a loose conglomeration of small groups that are brought together by the love of either a good race or a good downwind or hopefully a mix of the two. Ah, 1st world problems.

Some good racing this week which finished off with a nicely attended Cape Town Downwind yesterday, have a look at some of the shots that they got here. No idea how they got some of those angles. Bet Erasmus wishes he looked that good on a run. Never fear Willem, I'm sure that Sean Rice will give you some GQ style tips if you ask him nicely. I'm hoping that he will give me some Millers tips so that I can beat Maddock next weekend.

I have decided to add some gamification to The Needle in the form of badges. There are currently 5 up for grabs, these will be awarded retrospecitvely:

Anger Management

• The Wally (as in Where's Wally for those who been conspicuous by their absence)
• The Anger Management (for a spot of rage on the water)
• The Downwind Dan (in honour of our very own specialist)
• The Penny (for particular swimming prowess)
• The Racing Snake (for not wanting to paddle with your mates - not a lot of these going around at present)

Where's Wally

Racing Snake

The Penny

Downwind Dan

We will be providing an opportunity to pick up an extra badge or two in the last two races for the year, the Muizenberg Madness Race on Tuesday morning and the Cape Point Next Saturday. In fact, I think that we should add the "Explosion Badge" which I am pretty certain that I will be fully embracing by about 9am on Saturday morning.

The Explosion

Standings are largely as they were, the only people who are close are Maddock and myself and Farrel and myself but we're are going to start having to apply negative points to Rubenstein if he doesn't start re-prioritising this whole being a father thing. Wouldn't be horrible to see Currin back on the water either now that he has returned from the land of milk and honey.

......Them Wild Eyed Boys That Have Been Away

All I can say is, thank goodness for the rules. Otherwise Maddock could be thinking that by attending only one race in the season he can give me The Needle. No such luck my son! Also, I must now publicly confess that I did not feel bad for one second of the 13 km that you pulled me into the wind this morning.

I was cursing the very thought of a 6am start in Fish Hoek for the qualifier today but it was quite likely my best paddle of the season so far, some cracking runs all the way home from Millers.

Bleak that I had to miss the Strand paddle yesterday. The rolling blackouts of Joburg were a whole lot more fun anyway now that I think about it so perhaps I should say that you lot all missed out.

Other exciting/notable happenings this week:

• Tuesday was called off due to some off the chain wind, we have definitely got the mix of wind in the week and none on the weekend all wrong this season.
• Ruby was finally dragged back into play by Farrell. I think that Steve promised Ruby that he would save him from Johnny.
• Erasmus is getting very nervous about Kantor just biding his time before he destroys him in the Cape Point.

Coming up is the Cape Town Downwind champs from Millers (I think) next weekend either Saturday or Sunday depending on the wind. Justin is going to have to show up if he wants to solidify his Needle position.

Standings in the normal place here, Ruby still has a lead over everyone with Steve taking up the next spot.

There was wind, then there was none

We know that summer is here because I almost lost my roof in the wind last week, and that was in Mordor (otherwise known as Newlands).

Unfortunately for us this lasted only long enough to tease us and then disappeared just in time for Sunday's downwind from Milnerton to Melkbos. Neither the distinct lack of wind nor my raging two day hangover could ruin what was a great paddle and I got to race two very amusing French guys.

Highlights for the week were quite a cool little route that Dave Black put together for the Thursday Oceana dice and Daniel abusing Clyde for his less than awesome line before Big Bay on Sunday.

Standings are pretty much as they were. Ruby, come back, we miss you!

Ooh, it's Quiet Out Here

That picture of Ruby even scared Ruby out of paddling this week - the few of us who were around felt a bit like this guy this week.

A quick welcome to Ernest van Riet. He comes from a long line of fine Afrikaans men who also happen to quite like a short paddle down the Berg River. A little more on Ernest's invitation later.

Anyway, Rich got a bee in his bonnet this week and made our normally acceptable 10 km Hout Bay Tuesday Time Trial into a 16km beast. I am going to claim the first back to the beach hotspot and gloss over the fact that this may have resulted in a spectacular blow later on. Solomon was playing with us and it ended up Solomon, Farrel, Shaun Butler in a double and then me.

Thursday was a little quieter than last week with the only Needle Participant on the starting line being Daniel (although he was somewhat absent from the finish line - just saying).

The Langebaan race had perfect conditions with a nice stiff North Wester helping us home. I must admit that I do enjoy Langebaan as a race destination and lunch at Pearly's afterwards is not a horrible way to spend the afternoon. At this point I must mention that Mr van Riet suffered his one and only defeat against yours truly in the last 3 years (thereby earning his place in the Needle :) ) Ernest, you get to nominate someone who you would really prefer doesn't beat you as your Needle Match

No race next weekend but there is a Cape Point Qualifier at Fish Hoek at 6am on Sunday morning for those who believe in self flagellation.

Updated results here

Things Are Not Really Turning Out How We Expected

RUBY

Quotes of the week "Bloody Rubenstein" and "I need a bumpy day so that I can bring myself back". I am going to leave it to you to figure out where those came from.

It was a slightly less testosterone filled week with none of the Needle competitors threatening to have each other disqualified. While this is perhaps disappointing, we always have next week.

Tuesday seemed like a bit of a smaller field with only Kantor, Erasmus and Farrel and there were rumours that Erasmus caught Farrel on the downwind. This was out of the view of the judges so perhaps we should just ignore this as simple conjecture and posturing on the part of the Show Pony.

Dave Black's Thursday series is getting some good interest and there was a good strong field led out of the blocks by yours truly (jumping the start still counts). The front bunch of Ruby, Farrel, Sean Rice, Tom Schilperoort and Solly quite quickly disappeared into the distance but even from back there I was able to see the panic at Currin Point (The Lighthouse) and Ruby's excuse for not taking the win was that the rest of the bunch caught the break while he hooked a sharp left on the way back.

I for one am just glad that Anton is not a competitor here as he is currently handing me my arse on a plate.

Sunday was pretty awesome and Erasmus raced like a champion although we do need to work on his aggression as he wasn't able to look after his wave when the juggernaut of Iain Black came a calling.

Claimed my win over Farrel this week, I can now retire.

So the updated standings see Ruby far out ahead with Farrel next up which is the real upset of the season so far. Erasmus and Kantor are now neck and neck and the Surfski paddler turned Ironman, Currin, will probably have to join us one of these days.

Langebaan next weekend, should be good.

Things as They Stand

I am not going to go out there and say that we have a roaring start to the competition for the season as yet.

We have yet to have see Van der Westerhuizen and Maddock and while today had some slightly greater participation the Needle field was limited to Ruby, Daniel, Willem and myself.

The race today was definitely "honest" with only the slightest of bumps to help us along. Ruby got away with the front bunch after Kantor and Longley were found discussing who should get the last remaining diamond on said front bunch. (Rumours are that there may have to be a disciplinary hearing post some Longley-esque thievery of said diamond position.)

Erasmus would have been able to chair the tribunal however he was just checking out the health of the crayfish population at the start line so he may not be able to add much value.

So at the finish we had Ruby finishing with Pete Cole on the 2nd bunch, I languished towards the back of the 3rd bunch only just pipping a slightly enlarged Ian Black at the line. Daniel pulled in just behind us and Penny Erasmus came through just behind him.

So that leaves Rubenstein with no contenders for top position at present and you can have a look at your needle standing here (I am struggling to make it easily readable so please let me know if you can figure it out). I am out for this week Tuesday but hopefully see you guys at Dave Black's Thursday time trial otherwise see you at the Butlers Clifton race next Sunday

The Needle Leaderboard

Summer is Coming

Seeing as there was a spot of competition in last year's surfski season I have taken the liberty of formalising things up a bit. The initial contenders have been chosen (applications can be made for additions to The Needle Committee).

Have a look at The Needle Leaderboard

The rules are as follows so far:

1. You get one point per event for beating your Needle opponent
2. There will be a sub minimum of events that you have to compete against your opponent in order for the Needle match to qualify.
3. The last Needle event must take place in the last month (ie March) in order for the Needle match to qualify.
4. All surfski time trials and short weekend races will qualify as Needle events

I suspect that a prize giving at the last Hout Bay time trial will make sense. Perhaps some sponsored prizes, I think that MacMartin should be a donor.

Laters