The river is widely known as one of the foremost in South Africa, presenting the ultimate test of technical abilities. A number of hair-raising rapids and weirs required some sharp turns and skills as a result of the annual water release from the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchement Management Agency.
A total of 68 paddlers started on a hot and sunny Saturday morning at Kwena Dam, finishing just below Old Joe’s Kaia Guest House some two hours later. Eight participants had to retire mostly due to boat failures, bearing testament to just how brutal the river can be.
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Each paddler started 15 seconds apart with the race covering the first 33 kilometres of clean Crocodile River water. A mixture of seasoned veterans and novices made up the field, with those having had the experience of paddling the river in previous years dominating the podium. After just two hours and 11 minutes, the 2020 TRAC Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon race winner, Siseko Ntondini, finished.
He was closely followed by the first Lowvelder, Piers Cruickshank, in a time of 02:13,28, who in a sprint to the finish, pipped Wayne Jacobs to the post (02:13,29).
Last year Cruickshank paddled to victory in a time of 02:00,39, followed by Ntondini in 02:01,51. This year three ladies strutted their stuff with the u/16 Olivia Woodburn winning the ladies’ race in a time of 2:45,46, followed by Alexandra Jensen in second and Kerry Ras in third. The Gundu award, named after Mike Hay, a stalwart of the race, is awarded to the first novice of the day.
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The award, walking away with the bragging rights in the family after his brother Kelly won the in 2017, went to Benjamin Tarr, who finished in a time of 2:21,38. The organiser, Lowveld Canoe Club, thanked TRAC N4 for its continuous support and sponsorship towards the race and extended its gratitude to Joubert en Seuns and Loo4U.
