The Florida Lake Canoe Club hosted the Gauteng Canoe Union School League race, on October 4.
The race was held in rather pleasant conditions as, in the past, some windy and choppy conditions have spoilt the fun for the young paddlers.
New student paddlers from Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) were anxious about their first race and enjoyed the shorter and easier novice course, which introduces young beginners to competitive racing, lining up and following a set course.
Anita Shabalala and Londeka Mathabela, from VLC, also took part in the 1km novice race and produced impressive results.
Shabalala won a gold medal for first position, while Mathabela came second.
Paddlers from u-8 through to 18 years of age competed in their age groups, over age appropriate distances, to win medals for each category.
The marathon season is still in place, which results in long distance races.
Novice paddlers recently started learning to canoe and, although wishing to compete, are not yet ready for the long distances that the other, more experienced paddlers can achieve.
The beginner’s first race was a novice event that introduced them to competitive racing in a less intimidating environment.
