Fourways trio braves the rapids

The race took place from below the Vaal Dam and finished at Fisherman’s Wharf.

While the first eight kilometres of the river included exciting rapids and wild white water, the balance of the 16 kilometres was a hard, flat slog with head winds, shallow water and an opposing current.

This section of the Vaal river is known teasingly as the only uphill river in the world and while it is tough, it is also an important event for paddlers to build strength and stamina for the long, hard slogs before the mighty A Grade Hansa Fish River Marathon, which takes place in October in Cradock.

The Vaal river race provided great training for the marathon as it included white water rapids and long flats, building fitness as well as stamina and endurance.

With the marathon hosting the SA K3 championships this year, a number of K3 teams tried out their combinations before the mighty white water river race, including the Fourways team of Keith Flemmer, Iain Hume and Brad Breetzke. The trio finished the race as the first veteran K3 team as well as second overall with a time of two hours, three minutes and 52 seconds, missing out on the top overall winning position by only two seconds.

Flemmer, Hume and Breetzke are members of the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club based at Emmarentia Dam.