Get ready for the night race

It is that time of year again when the Victoria Lake Canoe Club hosts its annual night race.

The race will be held on February 7, at Germiston Lake, and will serve as one of the last opportunities for canoeists to refine their racing and portaging (run with boat) techniques for the world’s toughest endurance canoeing event, the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon, which will be held on February 16, 17 and 18 in Pietermaritzburg.

Canoeists will take to the water at 6pm, with race registration opening at 5pm.

The race will see paddlers doing five laps around the lake, a total of 15 km, with a short portage splitting the laps.

Though there is no limit to the number of canoeists who can compete in the race, which is sanctioned by the Gauteng Canoe Union (GCU), all paddlers should be registered with a club and with the GCU.

Clubs are asked to ensure that paddlers, who join as new learners, are able to swim and recover themselves in a number of difficult situations before they allow them to register with GCU and compete.

In addition to preparation for the Dusi, paddlers can use the opportunity to prepare for the ICF (International Canoe Federation) World Marathon Race which will be held in September.

South Africa was recently nominated to host the race, which will also be held in Pietermaritzburg.

This race is held in a different country every year and paddlers are eager to participate in this internationally recognised event.

For more information on both of the events or to enter, visit the GCU’s website at www.gcu.co.za.

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