Foreign kayakers arrive for the Jinja Big Air Final

THE battle for supremacy in the Big Air Final in the Nile Kayaking today was drawn with the arrival of foreign professionals yesterday.

By Samson Opus

THE battle for supremacy in the Big Air Final in the Nile Kayaking today was drawn with the arrival of foreign professionals yesterday.

World number two Billy Herris of Canada and third ranked South African Steve Fisher are among a tough field of 30 that includes Uganda’s Paul Babi and Geoffrey Kabila.

A top prize of $2000 (about sh3.8m) is at stake for the top finisher in the challenging 600m event.

Others expected to vie for honours include Ben Brown (New Zealand), Anthony Yap (Australia) and SSouth African Dale Gerdine.
According to Jamie Simpson, one of the organisers, a cream of 30 local and foreign competitors are expected in the meet.

Babi who displayed good form in the Free Festival races on Monday and Tuesday is expected to dictate the pace with his vast knowledge and experience of the Bujagali falls rapids.

Kayaking is a sport that demands a sharp knowledge of rapids and a lot of strength to enable one paddle through the rough water.

The annual event, sponsored by Nile Breweries, culminates with a grand Independence Day party along the shores of the Nile on Sunday.