Local canoeists take part in Fish River Marathon
The Fish River experience is not about times or winning for most paddlers.
Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) members participated in the two-day 80km Fish River Canoe Marathon.
This trek from Gauteng to Cradock in the Eastern Cape takes place annually for paddlers wanting to test their skills.
The Fish River experience is not about times or winning for most paddlers.
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“It’s about enjoyment and testing your fitness and skill at mastering the rapids,” said the Gauteng Canoe Union media liaison, Jennie Dallas.
The VLC paddlers who participated included the coach, Loveday Zondi, with Colin Ledwaba and Peter Chissano, who finished the race in 05:46:00, finishing as the fifth K3 team to cross the finish line.
Uwe Schmidthaus, also from the club in Germiston, partnered with fellow club member Deon Vermaak to finish in 06:31:00, and in ninth place in the veteran age category and 101st in the K2 event.
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Bedfordview residents Craig Johnston and Grant Gladwin finished in 07:45:00 and 14th in the master age category (over 50 years) and 142nd in the K2 event.
“Gladwin was a complete novice in April, but he put his hand up to do the Fish River marathon, and it was a hard ask with such a short time to prepare and gain fitness and experience,” said Dallas.
She said the pair paddled most mornings throughout the winter.
