Cold water doesn’t stop enthusiastic paddlers

River paddlers have started training as the year’s canoeing race season begins.

Paddlers are building up stamina and endurance in the hopes of participating in the World Marathon Championships which takes place in South Africa this year.

While others are getting back in shape for the wild, white water races which take place in the peak rainy season later in the year.

Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) based at Germiston Lake hosted a river race on the Klip River, from Daleside to Meyerton, through Henley-on-Klip, a distance of some 30km, recently.

ALSO READ:

Novice paddlers learn the ropes from their experienced counterparts

Sailing opens up new horizons for youngster

With the winter season and no rain, the rivers are lower and slower than in the summer rainfall months and it’s a good opportunity to gain experience and learn river skills.

However, it is also the time when the new paddlers are most likely to make mistakes and fall out.

While they are taught to swim to safety and to retrieve their boats, it doesn’t always work out that way.

Wayne Saunders, the race organiser of the VLC race, went to the rescue of a couple of Sowetan youth paddlers who misjudged the rapid and clearly were not prepared to get in the cold water to retrieve their boat.

The learning curve has definitely begun.