The Nile Freestyle Festival was a resounding success. Friday saw the last day of competition and we were privileged to see one of the biggest ariel bombardments ever witnessed by the kayaking community!!!
Monday the 3rd saw the event kicking off, with our short course (600m) Extreme race. The mass starts of 5 saw some spectacular viewing and at times spectacular carnage. The Finals however were made up of 4 Ugandans, and only two International paddlers. Tim Flowers and Josh Mckenzie. It was the locals, that proved that they have the lines wired however, and Geoffrey Kabirya crossed the line to win for the 3rd year running.
Tuesday the 4th was our newest and probably most extreme event. The 45km class 5 course, has to be the toughest endurance race in the World. To make it even harder we were given one of the hottest days of the year. The Ugandans turned out in force for this one. The teams of two had to complete the timed run together. The time stops when they reach the bar at the top of the hill, and down an ice cold Nile Special Beer. 12 teams started in all, and the competition was intense throughout. The finishing time set by Alex Mzungu and Metwalabi Mboizi, was absolutely unbelievable. I challenge anyone to finish this course in 2hrs 36mins, in a playboat!!
Thursday the 5th we changed the format set on the program and held one of my very favourite events. Due to the low water we made the decision to hold ‘a Rolling rodeo’.
Using the lower sections of the river, we paddle down on mass, sending judges and beer in oar boats ahead of us. During the day we stop and three very different features that test a broad range of freestyle skills. From hucking big air, to throwing continuous ends, there was something for everyone. 38 paddlers in total set of for the day, and again the Ugandans, proved beyond all doubt that this is their river taking the top 5 spots. Paulo Babi just edging out his closest rival Geoffrey Kabirya.
Thursday evening saw a tense night with all the competitors sitting round the fire, waiting for $2000 big air showdown on Nile Special.
Friday morning saw near perfect levels for the wave and the competitors were up as early as 6 practicing there rides. Billy Harris, unaware that he was still eligible to compete, arrived at 6am Friday morning. A car met him and brought him straight to the site. He arrived at 10.30am, and the heats started at 11. Typical kayakers, never plan ahead.
The competition was on, and it could go any way. 18 competitors signed up and it could have gone any way. The Nile has never seen so much talent lining up on its banks and throwing it down on its huge waves.
With paddlers like, Dale Jardine, Anthony Yap, Marc Giardin, and Billy harris lining up, it was undoubtedly going to be a spectacular showdown. We were not disappointed. The Heats saw two one minute runs, the best counting. We use a unique scoring system here, that only rewards for ariel moves. Much like the scoring at Leon. However in our comp all moves count. As long as they are ariel.
The judges have never had to award so many ‘Huge’ bonuses and the crowd was going wild. We had over 150 people make the journey down to watch the event. Now that isn’t too bad, less than 500kms from the Congo!! I believe ive seen less people at world Championships!!
The First 18 made there runs and we immediately cut the pack down to semi-finals of 10. Four Ugandas lined up in the final alongside, Billy, Anthony, Dale, Marc, Karl Moser and Romain Pignon of France. The Semi Finals were tense and Tim Flowers (Ug) showed the rest how to follow. He produced some spectacular runs, pulling of Huge Clean Back stabs and Donkey Flips that would make most of us afraid of heights.
However, some unlucky runs for some of the front-runners saw us down to 5 paddlers and the $2000 cash prize at this stage could have been anyone’s. Marc Giardin, Billy Harris, Anthony Yap, Geoffrey Kabirya and Tim Flowers lined up for the final.
Geoffrey was first to go, with an unlucky run. He pulled of a huge ariel blunt and a massive Donkey flip, but the unfortunate flush cost him the final.
Tim flowers was next having a really unfortunate flush. Tim had been the most consistent throughout the final and is unbelievable to watch. We were left to three and it couldn’t be closer. The first two paddlers were tied, and Anthony yap, took an unfortunate flush, pulling off a gargantuan pistol flip.
Billy Harris and Marc Giardin were left. Marc in his C1 had been consistent throughout, but tiredness soon told. He pulled of a spectacular array of tricks in the final, but Billy Harris came out tops to take the bacon. Arriving at 6am on the day of the event, he was a very tired man, but his runs improved each time he went out, learning thee wave as he went along. His final score was one of the highest of the event, and his best run of the day.
A weekend lies ahead now, of coaching clinics, and kayak schools for the local kids. The big ass party and presentation is still to follow.
Thanks must go out to all sponsors, Nile Breweries, Fluid, kayak Session Magazine, Goya, Happy-2b (Africa), and many others.
Stay tuned to Xackers.net for the weekends activities.
Cheers
The Kayak the Nile team
Race Results
Extreme endurance Race
1. Alex Mzungu/ Metwalabi Mboizi 2hrs 36mins
2. Juma Kalikwani/ Robert Chico 2hrs 37mins
3. Geoffrey Kabirya/ Tutu Tesibegwa 2hrs 40mins
4. Ibrah Mobizi/ Sadul Kalehrim 2hrs 46mins
Nile Special Big Air $2000 showdown
1. Billy Harris (Canada)
2. Marc Giardin ( France)
3. Anthony Yap (Aus)
4. Tim Flowers (Ug)
5. Geoffrey Kabirya (Ug)
Extreme Race Bujagali Falls (600m)
Mens Final
1. Geoffrey Kabirya - Ugandan - 2.18.35 mins
2. Paulo Babi - Ugandan - 2.19.45 mins
3. Tim flowers - British/ Ugandan - 2.20.19 mins
4. Josh Meckenzie - New Zealand - 2.21.99 mins
5. Ibrahim Kikwana - Ugandan - 2.27.35 mins
Women’s Final
1. Christie Long - Canadian - Time 3.11.21 mins
2. Prossie Merembe - Ugandan - 3.14.38 mins
3. Sarah Caraher - Ireland - 3.19.46 mins
