By CJ Richter
Article Published: 14 September 2006

The team recently took a run up to Plumstead to visit one of the “aces” in that area – Sydney and Karl Schwormstedt. On arrival we were warmly welcomed by Karl and his wife and invited for a cup of tea before viewing the loft and its inmates.

However, after the tea we went outside and were introduced to this superb racing team which includes winners past and present. The loft itself was spacious and airy, with the pigeons looking a picture of health and vitality although Karl felt that they hadn’t really reached their peak just yet. Judging by his recent results I’d hate to think how many more positions he will take when they reach it!

Nevertheless, Karl openly admits that although his birds are performing excellent in the middle distances he would really like to perform just as well in the long and marathon races.

Sydney and Karl became involved with racing pigeons way back in 1978. They started out with birds from D. Louw which were Amiel / Putteries. These birds are still the basis of the present family and the partnership is truly thankful to Derrick Louw for his generosity and the assistance he has unselfishly given over the years. Ever on the look out, two imported Amiel cocks were crossed to D. Louw’s birds with the help of the late Jules Gallez, with great success.

The final part of the equation, were birds from Joop Knoop, which also made great impact. Recently birds from P. Pedro, J. Schmidt and R. Bouwer have been introduced. These have given the family the boost which resulted in some remarkable wins over the last few years. These lines are mainly Louw Wouter and Sproetze which needs no introduction.



Never satisfied and not resting on there laurels these dedicated fanciers, pigeon men to the core, purchased some Van Engela Pigeons to cross with his own birds in an effort to achieve in the long distances, in my opinion sooner than we think. In order to find out more about Karl and his birds we asked him a few questions.

1) How long did it take you to end your novice status?
My first federation win from Hanover in 1980.

2) What system do you race your birds on?
Race off the perch.

3) How many stock bird’s do you keep?
15 pairs, only those who excel are kept for breeding.

4) How many young do you breed?
Rear 80yb’s of which 60 are kept.

5) Do you mix your own corn?
I mix my own feed which consists of a 20% pea mixture.

6) What is your feeding method?
For the racers I use a 500grm tin 5 times for 80 birds.

7) What training method do you use?
Saturday a long toss from Worcester, weekdays short tosses from Paarl.
If not tossing an hour around the house

8) What would you like to see improve in the sport of pigeon racing.
One controlling body with a European i.e. (Belgium and Holland) outlook in the Western Cape.

9) Some of your fondest memories in your career.
a) My first Hanover fed in 1980
b) My 3 combined wins
c) Only bird on the night Springfontein Combine.
d) Two years ago Hanover 1st and 2nd in strong head winds. 1st position was won by 22 mins ahead of 2nd bird
e) Colesburg Combine win in 2006.
f) Having been able to achieve 49 Federation wins

This was really a pleasant Sunday morning loft visit and the team sincerely appreciated both the hospitality extended to us and the opportunity to see such quality birds. Many thanks to Karl and his wife – Special thanks from our team to Niki for putting up with Karl and his Pigeons.