A canoeing couple from Midrand finished fourth in the mixed doubles division of the Standard Bank One Day Liebensbergvlei River Race.
Raymond and Nadine Rorich journeyed to the Free State for the annual race and took just less than two and a half hours to paddle from the Reitz water treatment centre to the small town of Tweeling.
The Liebensbergvlei river continues to flow towards Frankfort and ultimately empties into the Vaal Dam.
The water originates in the Ash river in Clarens, where it is pumped from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, so is often chilly with melted snow.
These cold conditions can make it hard on muscles but the canoeists gave it their all on these exciting white water rapids.
Paddlers came from all over Gauteng and as far as Mpumalanga to enjoy the unique river with its wave trains, rapids and a fast flow of clean clear water running through the farmlands of the Free State.
These factors make the race very pleasant so while many competitive paddlers enjoy the challenge of the rapids, the scenery often draws couples to enter as teams in the mixed doubles division.
Canoe races have been few and far between since the hard lockdown but a welcome luxury for those who can make the trip.
Raymond and Nadine Rorich paddle at Centurion Canoe Club.
