Paddlers make a splash at the night race

The dark clouds looming overhead and icy rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the 80 paddlers who took to the water in the VLC Night Race, hosted by the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, at Germiston Lake, last Tuesday.

The weather meant that paddlers set off into choppy waters, however, the water soon settled and competitors were able to enjoy a pleasant evening paddle.

The 15km race, made up of five 3km laps, was many paddlers’ last preparation race before the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon and included a 50m portage (running with the boat).

Siseko Ntondini paddled his way to victory once again with Loveday Zondi hot on his heels. Ntondini finished the race in one hour 12 minutes only one second ahead of Zondi.

Third place went to Christoph Booysen and Ronald Pronk (sub-veterans), who were also the first K2 racers to cross the finish line, in a time of one hour 14 minutes, followed four seconds later by veterans Raymond Rorich and Mike Kirkby.

Morgan Ziervogel, who paddled in the K1 division, was the first woman to finish the VLC Night Race, in a time of one hour and 27 minutes placing 20th overall.

Theresa Welsh and Christina Sears (K2) were the second set of women over the finish line in a time of one hour 33 minutes, with Natali Coetzee rounding out the top three positions, for the women, in a time of one hour 44 minutes.

Pieter Engelbrecht was the first sub-master across the line in a time of one hour and 20 minutes, with Theo Smit being the first grand-master to paddle to the finish in one hour and 15 minutes.

Wayne and Karen Saunders (sub-grand master K2) finished the race in one hour and 24 minutes.

The social and jovial atmosphere paired with the close competition across the board, and in various divisions, made for an intense and exciting race for paddlers and spectators alike.

The event was an enormous success filled with fun and excitement.

The club thanked sponsors Ola Factory Stores and Southern Cold Storage for their contributions.

• Photo galleries from the event:

In the water:

The portage:

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In the park without a paddle

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