The Johannesburg Canoe Club, based at Wemmer Pan, hosted the 22km Klip River Race on August 23, from the Meyerton Sports Grounds to the Vaal River junction, at Three Rivers.
“Training for the river race season is in full swing, with numerous paddlers back on the water enjoying the glorious warmth of the sun as the water chill factor has also reduced,” said the Gauteng Canoe Union’s public relations officer, Jennie Dallas.
“Giant Kingfishers were chased away from their fishing grounds, and a lone monkey prowled the river bank looking for mischief.”
Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) members were out in full force, gaining fitness and river knowledge, as well as points for an A Grade status for the new paddlers.
The first finishers from the local club, being old hands at river races, were Grant Conlon and Timothy Baker, in one hour, 44 minutes, followed by Colin Ledwaba, partnered with Claudio Gaspari, a novice, and then Martin Thirlwell and Anthony Welsh.
Wayne Saunders and new river paddler Theresa Welsh finished in one hour, 50 minutes, missing a veteran podium position by one place, with Ryan Booysen and Terry-Sue Cave, also a new paddler, finishing two minutes behind.
“With lots of women on the river, novice paddlers and even some first time river racers, the enjoyment of the adrenaline and adventure was evident in the faces and smiles of the canoeists as they rounded corners, avoided obstacles and bounced through wave trains and rapids,” added Dallas.
“The river racing pace will pick up over the next six weeks, as Gauteng paddlers prepare for the popular 80km Hansa Fish River Marathon, in Cradock, Eastern Cape, in October.”
You might also be interested in:
Youngsters earn points at VLC’s race meeting
