Article Published: 03 October 2008
Article by Chris Derby-Lewis


Vision in the Federated Board of Homing Unions

During 2007 a decision was made to investigate the possibilities of flying different routes in order to establish equality for all. A decision was taken to race three routes namely, N1, N12 and the N7 West Coast.

It was agreed upon that four races on the N7 (West Coast) would incorporate race points from Klawer[257Km] Bitterfontein [341Km] Kamieskroon [433Km] and Springbok [541Km] Initially the kick-off from the new race points was good, with excellent returns from the Klawer race point. In view of circumstances, the Bitterfontein race did not take place. The next race point, Kamieskroon started well with the birds being liberated in blue skies with a slight wind driving them towards the coastline. There was no rain en-route, however, the pigeons had to battle against a strong head wind. The birds were split up with some fanciers failing to time on the day. The following race point, Springbok, was again earmarked with excellent race returns. In view of the difficult race from Kamieskroon there were mixed feelings amongst fanciers as to whether we should race this route during 2009.

One must however consider the following, it is the first time we have tried this route and we can only learn from our mistakes. During the Kamieskroon race Atlantis had a reasonable time which was ably completed at Board level. During the Springbok race the Paarl Union was not successful in reaching a position within the top 30. This race was won by Strand fanciers, statistics have shown over the last five years that the Paarl Union and Hawston have dominated the first twenty positions at Board level. One must be objective in analyzing the above results, maybe it will be more feasible to race the West Coast race points during the latter part of the year.

Question, is it fair to discontinue this route because of one difficult race? Should we not investigate the possibilities of the effect these race points would have on our birds if flown later in the season. Are the bad returns on the Kamieskroon not perhaps because of the fact that we don’t breed birds that can fly a decent race with head winds prevailing?

One must also consider clashes of pigeons from different race points up the N1, especially this time of the year, when the N1 is saturated with pigeon transporters from throughout South Africa. The North Boland shifted their race points onto the N12 and have minimized clashes and bird losses on race day. Would it not be fair to say that we race up the N1 because our father’s and their father’s raced this route by means of railway transport with pigeons being liberated at railway sidings. We always stress the well being of our pigeons, why then are we not open to change that could ensure better conditions for our pigeons on race day? One must sometimes consider the positive effect change could have on the well being of our pigeons.

Here some food for thought, the North Boland Union has the only race truck on the N12. Did the fanciers of the above organisation consider the saturation of pigeon transporters from different organisations throughout the Republic before adapting their race program, giving their pigeons the best chance of returning on race day. It just seems that they were way ahead in their thinking. Can we not learn from them? They have taken their vision and utilized it in affecting change which benefit pigeons and members on race days. We should salute them for their forward thinking!

I urge fellow fanciers to ask themselves the following question before criticizing the management of their organisations. Are you as a member willing to stand up and take on the position you criticize? If your criticism as a member is constructive then management should be receptive to all suggestions and ideas which could advance and support the organisation and this wonderful sport we all enjoy.

Chris Derby-Lewis
PRO – Federated Board of Homing Unions
082 621 8813