Buttrick kicks butt at World Champs
Growing up near the banks of the Vaal River it was almost inevitable that Ekurhuleni Kayak Club’s (ERK) and Benoni Agricultural Holdings resident Vincent Buttrick would take to kayaking like a duck to, well, water.
The 74-year-old paddled his way to a gold medal in his K1 (single kayak) age category (great grand master, 65 years and older) and a silver medal in the K2 (double kayak) great grand master category with partner Claude Graham at the International Canoe Federation World Marathon Championships event at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg from September 5 to 10.
While Hungary dominated the event with an impressive total of 20 medals, it was South Africa who was second best on the list with eight medals, compared to Great Britain and Portugal’s five each.
South Africa’s top men paddlers collected podiums for the senior K1 and K2 races, however, numerous podium positions were accumulated by the “master” category of racers in the World Master Cup races.
Buttrick, who also won gold at the world championships in Australia in 2005, was one of those who flew the flag high for the country at this year’s edition of the World Masters Cup.
Speaking about his experience in Pietermaritzburg Buttrick said: “My adrenaline was absolutely pumping.
“From the second you take to the water to the second you finish it is a massive challenge.
“Competing at ‘worlds’ brings out the something inside of you that you didn’t think you had.
“Conditions were ideal for paddling.
“The water was flat, but also shallow which made it a challenge to build up power.
“I was feeling extremely solid during my race and I felt like I could have gone faster if I wanted to.”
Buttrick, who started the sport at the age of 12, believes that discipline, dedication and devotion are some of the characteristics that make a good paddler.
He described his involvement in the sport as “life-changing” and explained why he loves it.
“It is a sport where there is no stress.
“You are so focused on balance in the boat and approaching the next rapid that you do not have time to think or worry about anything else.
“I have done triathlons and running and nothing else can compare.
“Paddling is sometimes so scary.
“It gets more frightening the older you get, but it’s so exciting.
“It is also one of those sporting codes where you are respected for your age.”
He expressed his gratitude to the members at ERK.
“Thank you for the years of friendship and support and thank you to all my training partners from ERK.”
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