Paddlers do Fourways proud
FOURWAYS - Two Fourways residents paddled hard to secure their grades for the upcoming canoe season during the 9 Miler, an 18km canoe race on the Rietvlei dam held at the end of July.
Jennie Dallas of the Gauteng Canoe Union said the race has become a starting point for serious training for major races on the canoe calendar.
“Many paddlers who have been resting or hibernating since Dusi in February, or through the early part of Winter, inevitably find their way back onto the water to obtain a decent seeding for the major A Grade Fish River event, which takes place in nine weeks time. It’s just enough time to train for the exciting and challenging 80km white water event,” Dallas said.
Despite the presence of both crocodile and hippo at the Rietvlei dam, the race, hosted by Centurion Canoe Club, attracted a large crowd. Dallas said the paddlers enjoyed the company of the spectators during their five laps around the massive dam. “With more than 130 paddlers on the water, no boat was alone for too long, either overtaking, or being overtaken, depending on fitness levels,” she said.
Ant Bown and Mohammed Patel of Fourways have been paddling partners and friends for some years, competing against each other as well as doubling up to compete together in the K2 category. Dallas said the pair thoroughly enjoy river racing, and although they find the long flat water races tiring, they realise the necessity of strength training and mental endurance.
They finished the five-lap course in 15th position in the K2 category, in 1:27. Doug Jewson, also from Fourways, finished the race in a single canoe in 1:30.
