Local paddlers show off skills at championships
The international team selected will represent the country at the International Canoe Marathon events which will take place in Metkovic, Croatia
The Gauteng Canoe Union held its annual Canoe Marathon Championships on June 1 and 2 to select paddlers for the Gauteng provincial team.
These chosen athletes will compete at the South African Championships at Roodeplaat Dam, from June 14 to 16.
The top performers will then represent South Africa at the International Canoe Marathon in Metkovic, Croatia, from September 19 to 22.
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Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) members were prominent in the championships.
“The races follow a traditional format with various competitions, including shorter races for Guppies (under 12) with portages, a 10km dash, and a 20km race for international team selection,” said Jennie Dallas, from Gauteng Canoe Union.
Portages, where paddlers carry their boats over land, are crucial for success in these marathons.
Noteworthy performances included Theo Dreyer (U18), a veteran of the Olympic Hopes Regatta and the Sprint Championships, who finished 13th overall and first in the U18 category with a time of 01:52 for the 20km race.
Dreyer also partnered with Tyde Malherbe from the Eastern Cape to win the U18 K2 doubles race.
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Helen Jansen van Vuuren, fresh from competing in the World Cup Sprints in Poland, finished third overall and first among females in the 10km dash.
She teamed up with Caitlyn Odell from Tuks University to secure first place among females and second in the U23 K2 doubles race.
Other notable VLC participants included Ntando Ndlovu (second in the U16 category), Prince Mhako (fourth in the U18 category), Nathi Ndlovu (third in the U16 category), and Tihalefo Nhlapo (fifth in the U16 category).
U14 paddlers Bokamoso Nhlapo and Awesome Mhako also enjoyed the 10km dash race.
