A win for local paddler at Thrombi X-Fest
Philip Claassens from Parys won the Annual Thrombi X-Fest kayak race held near Underberg, Kwazulu Natal on the 21st of January 2017. The Thrombi X-Fest hosts a dedicated crowd of whitewater enthusiasts every year, who battle it out in head-to-head sprints down class IV rapids in the infamous Thombisis Gorge on the uMzimkhulu River.
Philip Claassens from Parys won the Annual Thrombi X-Fest kayak race held near Underberg, Kwazulu Natal on the 21st of January 2017.
The Thrombi X-Fest hosts a dedicated crowd of whitewater enthusiasts every year, who battle it out in head-to-head sprints down class IV rapids in the infamous Thombisis Gorge on the uMzimkhulu River.
Competitors have to win through a number of rounds of heats, semifinals and finals for the honour of being the Thrombi champion.
Philip was the defending champ, and narrowly beat up-and coming local youngster Brandon Orpwood.
Philip Claassens is active in Parys on the Vaal river where white water adventures are regularly enjoyed by all classes of adventurers including novices.
He also belongs to the Likkewaan Canoe Club in Parys where they use the river racing canoes and participate in long distance endurance white water races such as the upcoming FNB Dusi event.
White Water Training in Parys offers courses in swift water and white water for those wanting exciting challenges.
If anyone is keen to try out whitewater kayaking search for the “White Water Republic – Central & Northern SA kayak club” on Facebook. The club is free and is a great way of getting into the sport.
