Paddlers gear up for the World Championship
VLC paddlers selected for Gauteng team.
With the World ICF (International Canoe Federation) Marathon Championships being hosted in South Africa this year, there is a huge focus on marathon racing.
These races consist of long distance, for example, 22km, including short 100m portages after each lap where the paddlers display their smooth take out of the water, a quick short run with the boat, and an agile put back into the water.
A slip or dropped boat can lose time at these major prestigious events.
The take out and put in are among the more difficult abilities to master, while speed on both the water and running on land also require good training and practice.
Ekurhuleni Kayak Club, based at Homestead Dam in Benoni, has become the “marathon capital” of Gauteng having hosted numerous Gauteng and SA Marathon Championships over the years, with a superb course and specially set up jetties to enable the portages for these prestigious events.
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The club recently hosted the K1 and K2 trials for selection to the Gauteng team for the SA Marathon and numerous paddlers throughout Gauteng pitted their skills against each other, including the juniors from u-8 to 18 years.
Victoria Lake Canoe Club’s (VLC) Mark Handley finished his master’s men’s race in a time of one hour and 34 minutes, and Anton Nel finished in one hour and 46 minutes – both qualified to represent the province at the SA Marathon event.
The SA Marathon event in Pietermaritzburg will see the selection of teams to represent SA at the ICF World Championship event which will also take place in Pietermaritzburg, in September.
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