Team shuffle: 'other' Lizelle comes on board

We've had a team shuffle. After Triple Challenge, when Adri's other knee - not the one that had given trouble a few months ago - played up, we were concerned. She went to a physio on Monday and to her biokineticist on Wednesday.

Bottomline is that there is an underlying problem and the likelyhood of a knee injury flaring up early on at ADAC is too much of a risk. Adri is understandably disappointed that she won't be racing with us but, on the bright side, she'll be able to recover and strengthen without the pressure of this multiday, high-intensity race looming on the near horizon.

Adri has so blossomed over the past few months, improving in fitness and gaining valuable paddling skills and confidence. This will stand her in very good stead going into the many exciting races on our local calendar next year. She's a pleasure to race with and I have little doubt that she'll have more competitive racing next year.

Lizelle v/d Merwe has been on the sidelines since the team was selected at the beginning of September. She has kept up her paddling and other training, ready to step in, if needed. She'll join us in Abu Dhabi.

Lisa, Lizelle v/d M, Steven

We got together for a paddle session tonight and it went well - an absolutely beautiful evening on the dam too. Steven swung past to say hi. Lizelle S is currently writing exams; we'll see her on Sunday when we all get together for a session.

We'll all be scattered over after this weekend; Steven is away next weekend and Lizelle S is away the following weekend. And then it will be the weekend before we leave!

And yes, I realise the name thing... Lisa, Lizelle, Lizelle... Ja, some peeps gonna be getting confused! We've raced together twice now in this combination at the Kinetic Adventure sprint races. Hahaha.