2006 SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

28 September to 1 October 2006, Pilgrims Rest,  Mpumalanga

Gold panning may have its roots firmly in the past and can often be perceived to be dominantly in the domain of a bygone era in our history.

In South Africa, gold panning has however both feet firmly in the future and has captured the interest and imagination of young and old.

The 2005 World Gold Panning Championships hosted by South Africa at Pilgrims Rest was more than adequate proof that the gold fever that ignited a spirit of adventure in thousands
of men and women in the past is still very prevalent in South Africa today.

The successful partnership between the South African Gold Panning Association and Mpumalanga’s Department Culture, Sport and Recreation, through the promotion of gold panning,
has successfully transformed a heritage activity to be a hands-on “live your heritage” experience.

This process has met with a great deal of enthusiasm from the public as gold panning is supported and practiced by people from all races, genders and ages. It is not expensive to get into
as little equipment is needed and no special physical attributes are required other than enthusiasm and passion.

The utilisation of gold panning as an all inclusive heritage activity has also contributed greatly to nation building and cross-cultural understanding.

The South African Gold Panning Association (S.A.G.P.A) would like to invite all gold panners and beginner gold panners to join us at the 2006 South African Championships which will be
 held from 28 September to 1 October 2006 at Pilgrims Rest.

Once again S.A.G.P.A in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation will be making every effort to present an exciting and memorable event.

First time gold panners need not fear as there will be a gold panning practice facility at the championship site and the actual championships make provision for beginners categories.

There are also categories for the under six year olds and children.

Each competitor receives a gold pan and a bucket of sand in which a specific number of nuggets are hidden.

The winner will have panned out the most nuggets in the shortest time.

The number of nuggets in the buckets are only known to the chief judge and participants are penalised for lost nuggets.