The Basso's Travels: Thrombi X-Fest

This past weekend close to Underberg on the Umzimkulu river Thrombi X-Fest occurred. It was the 7^th annual X-fest and it consists mainly of downhill mountain biking and kayaking.

Mark and I participated in the head to head down river race. Water levels had been great all week and held throughout the weekend. Saturday was the qualification runs… this consisted of groups of four competitors racing down the river. The fastest eight would go to the finals the next day. Unfortunately none of the South African lady paddlers made it out to compete so I was the only female. I did have a great time, the down river course was fantastic, and I came in first (by default). Mark had a good day on Saturday, posting the 6^th fastest time and making it to the finals on Sunday. All of the top eight paddlers raced down the course at the same time. This caused some carnage on a couple of the rapids but made for great spectating. Mark was one of the unlucky racers to be run over, and finished in eighth place.