Paddlers, coaches and their clubs eagerly jumped into the Germiston Lake to practice their paddling before races began on September 19 and 20.
Since lockdown began, GCU Marathon Championships had its first successful canoeing event in Gauteng hosted by the Victoria Lake Club (VLC) at Germiston Lake.
Young and old looked eager to get back into the water.
GCU media liaison Jennie Dallas said over five months have passed since GCU last hosted a calendar event.
“The first official calendar event was a success largely due to the amount of ‘behind-the-scenes’ efforts by Canoeing South Africa (CSA), VLC and GCU, who made this a reality.”
She added the Germiston Lake was in pristine condition, the weather was warm and the venue was well geared with Covid-19 protocols to ensure safety and enjoyment for participants.
ALSO READ:
Phumelela business rescue plan approved
The seniors K1 21.5km race on Saturday was won by Clinton Cook, with Wayne Jacobs right on his tail.
The exhausted Cook said the race was a range of two halves for him.
“I felt really good in the first half.
“It was like energy was sapped out of me in the second part of the race.”
He added it was hard work keeping Jacobs off at the end.
“Wayne was strong and I felt a bit bad, but I had to use what I could for the win,” said the winner.
Cook finished in 1:38:07.80, just four seconds before Jacobs, who finished with a time of 1:38:11.31.
Jacobs said they had fun in the first half.
“I tried to push in the second half because I knew Clinton had the in-sprint on me.
“I pushed the pace but it wasn’t enough because Clint had enough pace to knock me off.”
Coach of Soweto Canoeing and Recreation Club Thulani Ngamlana said lockdown made it hard for paddlers.
“We were not training at all.
“This sport is important for the children because this is where they have fun and it removes them from negative influences such as drugs and crime,” he said.
Dallas explained canoeing is different and that it is considered an elite sport because it does not have a lot of competitors and it is difficult to master.
“It is not like road running, soccer, rugby, cricket.
“Who would have thought we could have water sports in Gauteng, a town with no sea and not many navigable rivers.”
Johan Nel, the VLC event coordinator, said they received fantastic feedback.
“It was wonderful to be back on the water after the extended lockdown.”
Top paddlers worked hard to be selected to represent Gauteng at SA Marathon Championships.
The upcoming South African Canoe Marathon Championships event takes place on October 11 and 12 at the St Francis Bay canals.
K1 results:
K1 u-14
• Theo Dreyer 1:09:59.05
• Ameerah Hank 1:19:05.95
U-16
• Luke Salmon 1:47:52.77
• Helen Jansen van Vuuren 2:06:43.78
U-18
• Ross Leslie 1:43:59.97
• Alexa Godden 2:07:10.35
U-23
• Bradley Boulle 1:41:35.59
Senior
• Clinton Cook 1:38:07.80
• Esti van Tonder 1:48:05.55
SubVet
• Richard Fly 1:47:47.93
Vet
• Wayne Jacobs 1:38:11.31
• Jodie Dreyer 2:45:21.59
SubMaster
• Luke Symons 1:46:42.49
• Sarah Evans 2:14:02.50
Master
• Michael Stewart 1:43:54.73
SubGM
• Colin Wilson 1:47:49.23
GM
• Theo Smit 1:49:34.14
GGM
• Peter O’Connor 1:46:27.09
Pixzar
https://youtu.be/nfZWDy9aV_Q
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing:Editor at germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
Also follow us on:
