Local paddlers claim podium position at nationals

Ekurhuleni Racing Kayaking (ERK) club paddlers Mike Stewart and Richard Tandy claimed a bronze medal in the veteran masters category during the PW Harvey South African canoe marathon championships at the St Francis Bay Canals in the Eastern Cape on June 17.

The duo navigated their way around the four-lapped course with three portages to finish the race in 01:26:51 for third place, behind winners Duncan Boyd and Heirich van Rooyen and second-placed Ernest van Riet and Heinrich Schloms.

They finished six seconds ahead of provincial teammates Mark Garden and Mark Schroeder from Dabulamanzi Canoe Club in Emmarentia, who won the sub-masters men category, after crossing the line at 01:26:57.

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According to the Gauteng Canoe Union (GCU) PRO Jennie Dallas, Gauteng performed well in the competition because of the provincial marathon championships at Homestead Dam and other events held throughout the province before the nationals. These provided the paddlers with a perfect test to get ready for the event.

Other notable GCU performances in the K2 category included Michael-John Robb and Robert Crichton, who ended as sub-veteran men’s champions, while Karen Field and Elandre Zietman clinched the sub-veteran women’s title in 01:17:25.

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Derek Levi and André Venter were second in the sub-veteran men category and Bradley Boulle and Wayne Jacobs grabbed a bronze medal in the senior men’s K2 race.

K1 results

Jacobs clinched the veteran K1 men’s title in 01:21:29 and teammate Riccardo Talevi was second.

Christie Mackenzie won the senior women’s title after clocking 02:18:56, while Bradley Boulle placed sixth in the senior men’s category.

Field grabbed a silver medal in the sub-masters women’s category. Marion Young from KwaZulu-Natal won the category.

Dallas thanked the athletes for putting their bodies on the line to fly the provincial flag high.