RIVER paddlers generally aim to enjoy the major events on the canoeing race calendar each year – once the rainy season is under way with one of the first most popular events being the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon which takes place in October, in Cradock, Eastern Cape.
This 80km river race is the most well-supported event of the year and accommodates first time A-grade novice paddlers as well as the cream of South African canoeists, as it has numerous very exciting chutes, obstacles, rapids and weirs. And for those who are not ready to cope with these, there is the option of walking around them, for the first year.
The Centurion 9 Miler generally signals the start of the pre-Fish training period kicking off the serious training programme at the end of July, giving the paddlers two full months to make up the mileage.
The 9 Miler took place on Saturday, July 30 at Rietvlei Dam, an enormous dam which ensures fewer laps to attain the distance. In fact five laps make up the nine miles, and with a good field of boats, paddlers are seldom alone on the water and have constant company behind or in front. Windy gusts often whip up white water horses and waves to crash over the prow of the canoes, adding to the challenge and enjoyment of the race.
Glen Sinclair, who lives in Daleside, and Dave Ivy, from Meyerton, are members of the Johannesburg Canoe Club based at Wemmer Pan. The pair roped in Rod Carpenter from Benoni to build up a powerful K3 to tackle the elements and finished the choppy race in a time of 1:37 to take the second Master age category podium position.
Let the real training begin from now on.
