KARKLOOF - KZN 13-15 May 2022
Bulletin 1
(27-01-2022)
BACKGROUND
The MGA Nationals were first planned to be held in April 2020 at Karkloof Country Club, a wonderful venue with 3 large polo fields, in the heart of the scenic Natal Midlands.That event could not take place due to the first Covid lockdown, and was re-scheduled for August that year. This was again postponed due to travel restrictions following the second wave of Covid. Re-scheduled for April 2021, the event was again delayed by the emerging third wave, and after an online vote it was decided to hold a "socially distanced" Nats in Gauteng, and postpone the Karkloof event to 2022.
Unfortunately, in the interim there has been a big fallout between the Karkloof Polo Club and the Country Club, and the Polo Club now refuses to allow the use of their fields for any purposes other than polo - this ban included our Nationals. The event was therefore officially abandoned and those who had already paid their entry fees were offered refunds.
When the owners of Shafton Grange, which had been booked out for the event heard of the cancellation, they offered the use of their farm paddocks to the MGA. (Our thanks to Brett Lewis) Shafton Grange is directly opposite the Polo Club and the fields whilst smaller, are large enough for the event. The location at Shafton Grange has all the attractions of the original event - a very high probability of sunny calm weather in Natal during Autumn, all the surrounding attractions of the Midlands Meander - gourmet food, boutique breweries, excellent restaurants, and many adventure activities for those who may wish to bring their families.
Additionally, with the enthusiastic support of the property owner, we have access to their lounge, terrace and facilities directly adjacent to the flying field, and are planning a "lamb on the spit" social function directly after the flying on the Saturday evening. This will be in addition to the closing Prizegiving Banquet at Tumbledowns - a very fine restaurant nearby which promises to be an evening well worth staying for.
The MGA has therefore decided to hold the 2022 Nationals in Karkloof, at Shafton Grange.
(Those previously entered for the event, who have not claimed refunds may choose to have their entries carried over if they wish)
SHAFTON GRANGE
Shafton Grange is a farm stay (and until recently stud farm) located off Karkloof Road, which forms Route 1 on the famous Midlands Meander - a collection of tourist routes through a region of outstanding scenic beauty, connecting arts and crafts shops, fine cuisine, boutique restaurants, and many excellent accommodation facilities. The route has a number of adventure activities, including the Karkloof Canopy Tour only a few minutes up the road from the site and the mountain bike trails centered on the Karkloof Country Club, across the road from the flying field. Make the trip an adventure for the rest of the family as well.
The fields made available to us are flat and large enough to accommodate sufficient winch lanes in both northerly and easterly directions, the two main prevailing winds . They are currently used as hay fields, but will have been cut and baled before our event. We anticipate a short cropped veld grass surface.
Shafton Grange fields - the highlighted areas represent the approximate position of 200m x 50m winch lane areas with the landing approaches behind
DIRECTIONS
Take the Howick exit from the N3 and follow Karkloof Road, 19.5 kms from the Howick South, or 26.2 kms from the Howick North N3 exit.(GPS Co-ordinates: 29d 22' 57.8" S and 30d 15'49.04" E , altitude 1085m). The area has many excellent B&B facilities, and a popular camping/caravan park (Bushwillow) located 10km further up Karkloof Road . Shafton Grange Guest House is located directly opposite the Polo Club on Karkloof Road.
WEATHER
Weather in the Natal Midlands is often idyllic in Autumn, with calm, sunny days and cool evenings - average maximum temperatures in May of 25 degC, with minimums of 12 degC. Statistically May has the lowest wind speeds and least rainfall in the annual cycle.
Typically winter inversions last well into the day which means thermals are weaker than at the highveld and much more challenging to ride out.
Together with low wind speeds this usually keeps the thermal flying action close by and visible - more exciting for pilots and spectators alike.
SCHEDULE
The event is planned over a normal weekend. For the bulk of contestants travelling from Gauteng, this avoids the notorious traffic congestion on the N3 over long weekends, avoids clashing with other family holiday commitments and makes it much easier to book accommodation in the Midlands. We hope this will assist those who paid deposits for accommodation previously to re-instate their bookings without difficulty.
Our schedule will allow practice and field setup on Friday, followed by 2 days of competition, ending with the banquet and prizegiving on Sunday evening. There will be a social evening on the Saturday night, with a lamb on the spit at Shafton Grange, adjacent to the flying field. On the Sunday night we will hold the Prizegiving Banquet at Tumbledowns, an excellent restaurant nearby. This will be the climax of the event, and we hope that most competitors will plan their trip to allow them to attend.
Friday 13th May: Practice and field setup
Saturday 14th May: Day 1 contest rounds - evening- lamb on the spit at Shafton Grange
Sunday 15th May: Day 2 contest rounds and Banquet/Prizegiving at Tumbledowns
ON-FIELD CATERING
Light meals & refreshments will be available on a cash basis from Shafton Grange, and our schedule will allow for a lunch break to take advantage of this. Menu details in the next bulletin.
We will also have access to their pub toilet facility, located off the lounge terrace.
ACCOMMODATION
Competitors will need to arrange their own accommodation for the weekend, and since Karkloof is on one of the Midlands Meander routes, it would be wise to book well in advance to secure accommodation close to the field.
Karkloof Road is part of Route 1 on the Meander. There are hosts of restaurants, breweries,cheese, chocolate, arts & crafts shops, as well as fishing, birding, biking, horseriding activities and boutiue hotels located in this very scenic region. Check out the various routes for accommodation, gourmet food and drink, arts and shopping offerings on the comprehensive tourist website https://midlandsmeander.co.za. The area is well worth exploring before or after the event.
There are 5 routes, with Route 1 (Karkloof) and Route 2 (Nottingham Road) the most popular. Download the Meander Guide from the above website to explore the activities and accommodation.
The accommodation located closest to the flying site includes the following:
B&B & HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Shafton Grange Guesthouse located directly opposite the Karkloof Club.
Check it out at www.shaftongrange.co.za
These are the hosts of our event and they were fully booked out for the previous event. They will honour these booking first.
Thistledown Counrty House (8 kms)
Check it out at www.thistledown.co.za
Old Halliwell Country Inn (14kms)
Boutique hotel in a gracious historic building set in a scenic country location.
Check it out at www.halliwell.co.za
Further away are old favourites like:-
Granny Mouses Country House (32kms) and Rawdons Hotel (42kms) with its boutique brewery both on the very popular Route 2
Bushwillow Caravan Park is located 10kms further along Karkloof Road, close to the Karkloof Canopy Tours experience. It has many lawned campsites, all with electricity and good clean ablutions. The park also has one and two bedroom chalets overlooking several dams on the farm. Check it out at www.bushwillowcaravanpark.co.za
Some of us from KZN will be camping here during the event.
Bushwillow Caravan & Camping
Bulletin 2 will follow in due course with entry forms, banquet location and menu details, rules, prizes, sponsorships and further information for contestants.
Mark your calendars now and book your accommodation in advance to avoid missing out on another great MGA National Championships event.
EVENT SPONSORSHIP
The MGA would like to thank:-
Mike Smith from NJR Steel Durban for arranging the generous sponsorship of the event by his company - www.njrsteel.co.za
