AS the countdown continues to the 2018 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon on October 5 and 6 in Cradock, the massive field will be largely made up of recreational paddlers, for whom the 82km of paddling is as much about the social atmosphere as it about the challenges of completing the marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the social paddlers, and for the droves of varsity students who make this event an annual pilgrimage, the unique \u2018Pimp My Ride\u2019 competition is an opportunity to get involved in the social fun of the event, and stand a chance of winning the coveted prize of the combined bodyweight of the winners in beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Predictably enough a popular hit with the students, the competition requires aspirant entrants to decorate their kayaks, and dress up in fancy dress to reflect a different theme every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year the organisers have announced a theme of \u201cCowboys and Indians\u201d, which is sure to see stetsons replacing traditional paddling caps as the vogue headgear of choice on the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how elaborate the decorations to the kayaks and the individual fancy dress outfits are, they need to survive the rigours of the two days on the river to give themselves a chances of winning the approval of the stealthy judges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS the countdown continues to the 2018 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon on October 5 and 6 in Cradock, the massive field will be largely made up of recreational paddlers, for whom the 82km of paddling is as much about the social atmosphere as it 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