Orange Descent will host SA River Champs

WITH inter-provincial travel now allowed, Highway residents and canoeing enthusiasts can sign up to compete in the K1 and K2 River Marathon Championships, hosted by the Orange Descent Canoe Marathon, from 6 to 7 November.

Canoeing South Africa confirmed that participants must choose whether they will compete in the K1 or K2 races for both stages of the race.

It also noted that the event will not double as a selection event.

“There has never been a more exciting time for the Orange Descent since we first planned it way back in 2011,” said the race organiser, Waldo van der Linde.

The Northern Cape-based event encourages paddlers from across the country to make the trip.

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Despite the change in dates of the event, van der Linde is confident that the conditions will be ideal for paddling.

“We have great weather in November and, looking back at the last two years water levels in November, we should have anything from 50 to 70 cumecs in the river. That is a perfect level to race on and, at this stage, I think everyone is hungry for some racing no matter what fitness level they are at,” he said.

From a Covid-19 regulations perspective, the team at the Orange Descent are following very strict protocols to make sure all paddlers are safe.

“With the Covid-19 restrictions, there will be quite a few things done differently in this year’s race. The starts will be in batches with no more than 50 people at any time at any place. No spectators will be allowed at the race, but I think once everyone is on the water and paddling it will be back to race mode for everyone,” said van der Linde.

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