East Rand Kayak Club canoeists off to Ireland
They will begin their preparations for the Ireland tour with the national championship in Knysna in March.
The East Rand Kayak Club’s Xavier Mans, Tyller Mans and Rowan Attwell have been awarded their provincial colours by the Gauteng Canoe Union.
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The canoe polo players earned their stripes after their exploits at the national championships in Cape Town last year.
They also formed part of a national training camp in December where they were selected for the U18 national team to tour Ireland in July.
They received their colours and award plaques at the GCU’s annual awards ceremony at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club in Emmarentia on January 21.
The Mans siblings started playing canoe polo early last year and were subsequently selected in the GCU’s U16 and U18 teams to represent the province at the national championships in Cape Town.
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Ashton International College learner Rowan has a long history of canoeing. He started as a little Sea Scout Cub at First Benoni Scouts while in Grade One.
Although he exchanged the kayaks for the chess board, in 2021 when activities came to a halt due to the lockdown, he joined the ERK.
He made an immediate impact and was also added to the Gauteng squad for the nationals in the Mother City.
Proud of their achievements, the trio will begin their preparations for the Ireland tour with the national championship in Knysna in March.
