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.