KnysnaGreat sports at online oyster fest – Knysna https://showme.co.za/knysna Knysna, South Africa for all your local and tourism information; from accommodation to events, entertainment, attractions and news - ShowMe Knysna | T Feed Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://showme.co.za/knysna/?p=56957 Great sports at online oyster fest https://showme.co.za/knysna/news/great-sports-at-online-oyster-fest/ Thu, 25 Jun 2020 14:36:51 +0000 While some of the Knysna Oyster Festival's usual sports offerings are restricted under current Covid-19 protocols, most of its...]]> While some of the Knysna Oyster Festival’s usual sports offerings are restricted under current Covid-19 protocols, most of its events will still be held this year, albeit virtually, with some having already started.

2019 Knysna Cycle Tour winner Clint Hendricks will be unable to defend his title in a physical road race this year. Photo: Blake Linder

The iconic annual festival, this year from 27 June to 4 July, has long since been a fixture on Knysna’s calendar, and two of its biggest and most successful events have arguably been the Knysna Cycle Tour and Knysna Forest Marathon.

While cycling and running are permitted under lockdown regulations, formal event gatherings are not, and thus the two events have been forced to go online.

Knysna Cycle Tour

The KCT has provided various ways for cyclists to take part in the event. Their offerings already began on 21 June with the start of their “Strava Week”. Basically, organisers have set up three routes around Knysna on the Strava fitness tracking platform and created an event club, which will allow local riders to battle it out for the best times on these three routes.

For national riders, organisers will monitor cyclists via the Strava event club too, with prizes for the most total kilometres, most altitude gain, and longest single ride. The Strava Week concludes on Sunday 28 June.

There will also be three separate offerings on the Zwift platform, which is a virtual racing platform that cyclists can make use of from the confines of their home. First up, a mountain bike-type meet on Saturday 27 June with 44km and 66km offerings, while a road bike-type offering will come on 28 June. These will only be online “meets” and won’t yield official race results.

There will, however, be a professional race on Zwift with the help of Team ProTouch who will digitally monitor and officiate the race and will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook with live commentary.

Knysna Forest Marathon

Historically the largest running event of the festival, this virtual version will take place over the course of 10 days – the length of the festival. The usual three distances (10km, 21.1km and 42.2km) will be on offer and will cost R120, R140, and R160 respectively. The fees include receiving a limited-edition medal and buff that will be couriered to the runner’s nearest running club.

The distances must each be run in one go between 26 June and 4 July, and cannot be split over the 10 days. Each runner must upload four photos – a start photo, two during, and one at the finish. More information will be sent out with the race numbers on how to do this.

Knysna Yacht Club Regatta & Paddling

While boating for fishing is allowed on the Knysna lagoon, recreational boating is still not permitted, which means the KYC’s annual regatta will have to take place online. It will be held via the online sailing platform Virtual Regatta, which allows for races to take place from the comfort of your home. Entries will be restricted to 38 per class (monohulls = J70 and multi-hulls = Formula 18), allowing for three races per heat which will take place on Saturday 27 June from 14:00 onward.

The top nine from each heat go through to the final, which will be completed the next day. The races will be streamed on the Knysna Oyster Festival Facebook page.

The paddling event on Sunday 28 June will come in the form of a physical “race” that will see participants take to the water wherever they are able to, and then submit their times to the Knysna Canoe Club for verification. They can choose between an 11km or 22km distance, but the exact logistics of this event were still unclear at the time of going to print.

Houtkapper Run

Even though the Houtkapper Run starts a day after the festival programme comes to a close, it is still regarded as part of the Oyster Festival. Starting Sunday 5 July and stretching to Sunday 12 July, this year’s virtual edition will feature two distances, being 9km and 15km. Entries cost R200 and will include a limited-edition medal that will be couriered to the participant’s nearest running club.

Runners will receive a race number and directions for participation once an entry is confirmed. They will be asked for screenshots of their times and routes from the tracking app they use, and will also need to supply photos they took during the run giving some sort of indication that they did the race.

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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News

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