Local canoeists tackle the Union Marathon Championships
The weekend, with ideal weather conditions for kayaking, saw the K1s (single kayaks) racing on the first day with the K2s (doubles) doing competition on day two.
The Gauteng Canoe Union Marathon Championships took place at the Cradlemoon Lakeside Resort at the weekend of June 1 and 2.
Paddlers from other provinces travelled to the hub of the country to test-run their skills against their competitors, and to enjoy the opportunity to gain familiarity with the course in preparation of the upcoming South African Canoe Marathon Interprovincial event taking scheduled for the weekend of June 15, 16 and 17, at the same venue.
Paddlers participated in the events in the age categories between the u-8s and 80 years of age. Juniors under the age of 12 paddled distances between 2km to 6km with no portages.
Distances for men u-16 to 50 (masters) was 23km, while the women’s race for u-18 to masters was 17.5km, with the shorter distances for the older and younger paddlers.
Boksburg’s paddlers from the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club based at Homestead Dam excelled in the older age categories, with these paddlers still going strong.
Paddling, which builds core muscles, is a great sport into old age as it is not injury-prone, and works all body parts.
The great grand-masters (65 to 75 years of age) enjoyed participation in the natural world on water. The race distance for their age category was 15 km with no portages.
FOLLOW US:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
