THIS APPEAL IS MADE BY THE
SIAVONGA TOURISM & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Click Here to see photos

The Siavonga Canoe Challenge is an event designed to promote Siavonga as a tourist destination and create an exciting spectator event drawing many tourists to the town. 

The first Siavonga Canoe Challenge took place in 2008 and attracted 18 teams from all over Zambia.  The event was a resounding success and as a result it was decided to make this an annual event for Siavonga.

The event was adopted by Zambia Breweries in 2009 and renamed the MOSI Canoe Challenge 2009. This event attracted 22 teams and substantial media coverage including ZNBC, Radio Phoenix, Muvi TV, and several National news papers.

In 2010 the event was combined with the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the building of of the Dam Wall (Lake Kariba) and it was adopted by MTN and called the MTN Canoe Challenge 2010.  Again, this was a resounding success and attracted almost a thousand visitors to Siavonga and increased media coverage.

Unfortunately, due to logistical reasons and the unavailability of canoes (many borrowed from tour operators in Livingstone) the event was unable to be staged in 2011.

We are keen to rejuvenate the Siavonga Canoe Challenge in 2012 but in order to do this and have the resources to continue staging the event in future years, we require canoes.  Eagles Rest Resort provides 4 canoes but we require at least another 16 canoes to make the event viable.

Due to the costs involved, our idea is to make the event multi-sponsored and appeal to companies for sponsorship.  Each sponsor may purchase from one to four canoes (or more!) and each canoe will be branded with the Company name and logo. see the photos 

The advertising potential is huge and with more and more media coverage as the event becomes more popular and widely known in the Region, the return on sponsorship and advertising will be worthwhile.

We therefore would like to make this appeal for sponsorship and assist us
with the purchase of the canoes.

For more information please contact
administrator@siavonga-zambia.com

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE MTN CANOE CHALLENGE 2010

Canoes line up for the start on Eagles Rest beach

The competitors check out their canoes in preparation for the start

The start of the race - competitors run from the start line to board their canoes

All aboard and they're off!!

Some competitors have a crashing start!!
(2009 Event - Note the "Sponsorship Branding")

Everyone is enthusiastic at the start

As they get away the field thins out

Now the race is on - followed by spectators in large boats

Spectators follow the race aboard the Houseboat "Bateluer"

Every competitor is keen to win the race - no effort spared
(Note the "Sponsorship Branding")

The winners come home

Some join forces on the homeward stretch

Some need refreshment after the race

Teams come home

The scene on the beach at the Finish Line

As the teams come home they are welcomed by traditional African Dancers

Scene on the beach as more competitors finish the race

All competitors and spectators gather at the beach bar after the race

There are more activities after the event - a Tug of War

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SIAVONGA CANOE CHALLENGE
THE MOSI CANOE CHALLENGE 2009

THIRD ANNUAL SIAVONGA CANOE CHALLENGE
Saturday 13th June 2009

The third Annual Siavonga Canoe Challenge to raise funds for the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia and the Mukuyu Outreach Children’s Orphanage took place on the 13th June 2009. 

The main sponsor of the event this year was Zambia Breweries (a subsidiary of South African Breweries) and the event promoted their local product Mosi Lager – hence the event became known as the MOSI CANOE CHALLENGE.

The Siavonga Canoe Challenge goes from strength to strength each year and from 18 teams last year, the 2009 event saw 22 teams participating.

After unprecedented rains during the recent rainy season, the water level of Lake Kariba reached a seven year high and as a result the race course had to be changed.  The course distance remained the same at 6 kilometres but this year the race started and finished on the beach at Eagles Rest Resort (one of the few remaining beaches not totally submerged by the rising waters).  The 2008 canoe race saw the introduction of inflatable canoes in addition to the traditional fibreglass Canadian style canoes.  The different types of canoes used created some anomalies and some teams complained that they were disadvantaged.  As a result of this, it was decided to level the “playing field” (or should we say “canoeing field”) and all canoes used in this year’s race were of the inflatable type.  Obtaining 22 inflatable canoes was a major challenge for the organisers and thanks go to Safari Par Excellence (Safpar), Raft-xtreme , and Eagles Rest Resort for making their canoes available for the race.  A particular thank you goes to “Grubby” from Livingstone, for helping to persuade the canoe sponsors to allow their canoes to be used and transport them from Livingstone to Siavonga.  A big thank you also goes out to all the other sponsors (see list), the participants and the participating hotels of Siavonga for their generosity and effort in making the event a great success.

As usual, the event began on Friday evening at Eagles Rest Resort with a fish barbeque (food sponsored by Capital Fisheries of Lusaka) and registration of all the participants.  The teams were required to register and sign indemnity forms and the rules of the competition were explained in detail.  Then after a sumptuous meal and a few drinks it was early to bed for the canoeists in preparation for the gruelling day ahead.

On Saturday morning the participants ate a hearty breakfast and prepared for the race.  The canoes were duly inflated and positioned along the front Eagles Rest beach, rules were explained and all participants lined up for the start of the race.  The teams consisted of three canoeists but because of the confusion caused in previous years two paddlers were pre-seated before the race began.  The third paddlers then had to run down the beach, launch their canoe and then they were off to a grand start.

Most teams got away well and the water was tightly packed with canoes jockeying for position at the front of the field.  However it was not long before the race leaders secured their position and the field began to thin out.  The waters of Lake Kariba rippled with the frantic beating of paddles as the canoeists fought the waves created by a plethora of small boats packed with spectators and recovery teams accompanying the field.  The main viewing platforms for the spectators and press following the field were the houseboats “Bateleur” and “Analisa II” courtesy of Eagles Rest and Lake Kariba Inns. 

The first leg of the race was a hard non-stop paddle to Lake Kariba Inns approximately 3 kilometres up the Lake. 

Once at Lake Kariba Inns, the challenges began and the participants then had to roam the land hunting for clues. 

Perhaps one of the most challenging of challenges was a plastic bag given to the teams before the start of the race.  The bag contained a raw egg, a box of matches, and a small fishing hook and a piece fishing line (but no worm).  The challenge was to bring the egg back to finish line hard boiled and also to bring back a live fish.  Only one team came in with the hard boiled egg. Another team figured out the challenge which was to run to one of the hotel kitchen’s and ask the chef to boil the egg.  Unfortunately the egg was only boiled for one minute and when the team got back into their canoe it broke!!!  Three teams actually brought back their live fish but it was suspected that one of them dipped a net into the bream cages at Kariba Inns or Safari Lodge!  Still there were no rules set as to how they achieved their challenge.  The important thing was to arrive back at the finish line with the challenge successfully achieved.

As the second leg of the race proceeded the leaders began to show their canoeing prowess.  In the lead again was the team representing Lake Kariba Inns (the winners of the previous two years’ race).  However, the challenges this year were a bit more demanding and the points system was designed to ensure that everyone had a chance of winning.  Coming home first (which Kariba Inns did) did not secure the winning place, returning with challenges successfully achieved was the secret to success.

As the teams returned to the finish line an enthusiastic crowd was on hand to greet them.

The Results

The afternoon concluded with a beach barbeque for all the contestants and spectators and a number of on-shore challenges were completed including a tug-of-war between the teams.  There were cries of foul play when the Lake Kariba Inns team tied the end of their rope to a tree to prevent the opposing team from winning.  Since this event was just for the fun of it no-body really seemed to mind.

A colourful prize giving function took place on Saturday evening at the Manchinchi Bay Hotel with prizes presented by the Siavonga District Council Secretary.  The prize giving was then followed by a dinner/dance and the crowd was entertained by the renowned Inthambi Cultural Dance Troup.

Sunday morning saw the boerewors cook-out on the beach at Eagles Rest.  Four boerewors makers from different parts of Zambia took part, namely: Buccamore Products; Fringilla Farms; Mac’s Meat Products; and Zambeef;  For the princely sum of K30,000, everyone had the chance to sample the products on offer and vote by secret ballot for the wors of their choice.  The boerewors makers provided their products free of charge and the entrance fee was given to charity – the Lusaka Animal Welfare Society (LAWS).  After a closely contested competition the winner was announced which was Mac’s Meat Products who went way with 2 return airline tickets to the UK – well done Mac.  Coming in a close second was Fringilla Farms.

The third annual Siavonga Canoe Challenge proved to be a great success and thanks go to Marek Patzer for pulling it off yet again.  The organisers also wish to thank all their sponsors particularly Zambia Breweries who provided the bulk of the sponsorship and to Kaz & Peter who provided the local organisation and logistical support..

LIST OF SPONSORS (in alphabetical order)

AFRICAST
AFRICA INSITES
BUCCAMORE PRODUCTS LTD
CAPITAL FISHERIES
CHIT CHAT CAFE & RESTAURANT
COCA COLA (COKE ZERO)
CONSERVATIONZAMBIA.ORG
DENNISON MINING
EAGLES REST RESORT
FRINGILLA FARMS
GREENBELT
G3 SECURITY
HEART OF AFRICA
HOMENET
LAFARGE
LAKE KARIBA INNS
LAKE SAFARI LODGE
LUSAKA ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
MAC’S MEAT PRODUCTS
MANZI VALLEY
NATAIZYA GUEST HOUSE
NEW HORIZON PRINTING
PROFLIGHT
RAFT XTREME
RIVONIA FOODS
ROTARY CLUB OF SIAVONGA
ROONEYS EVENTS HIRE (FOR THE TROPHIES)
SAFARI PAR EXCELLENCE
SIAVONGA KAPENTA INDUSTRIES (SKI)
THE ZAMBIA SAFARI COMPANY
TOURISM NEWS
WECSZ
ZAMBEEF
ZAMBIA BREWERIES PLC

VISIT THE PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE CANOE CHALLENGE

Visit the Photo Gallery from the "Welcome" page where you can see more photos of the event.