BLUE lagoon was a hive of activity last week for Kids Canoe Thursdays, an initiative of Durban North resident, Billy Harker. Children can learn canoeing basics from 4pm until 4.50pm free of charge, in a safe environment. Harker, who is a member of the Kingfisher Canoe Club at Blue Lagoon said the idea for the children’s club came during the lockdown.
“During the lockdown Durban Preparatory High School offered the children an extended sports programme. It dawned on me that the club has children’s boats, known as guppy canoes. So we fixed them up and I approached the school to see if I could offer canoeing as part of the sports programme,” said Harker.
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Not knowing how many learners would attend, Harker told canoeists and lifesaving clubs in Durban about the Kids Canoe Thursdays and has had a great turnout.
“This is an introduction to canoeing, for the children to try it out and see if they like it. We show them how to hold the paddle and the correct position to sit in the boat. Then we let them get out on the water,” he said.
While the Kingfisher Canoe Club provides life jackets to children who take to the water in a canoe, Harker said they must be able to swim.
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“A precursor for anyone who joins is that they must be 100 per cent water safe. They must be a competent swimmer,” he added. Ross Bedford was at the lagoon on Thursday with his sons Channing and Colton Bedford.
“The number of children involved in canoeing and racing in the guppy class is small. To have a group like this is creating a lot of interest and it’s a boost for the sport,” he said.
Although, his son, Channing (11) has had canoe training and paddled at the KZN and SA Champs, Bedford said the Kids Canoe Thursday was welcome amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It helped during lockdown to get out and get active in a safe and healthy environment,” he said. Harker has been paddling for about 25 years, having taken up the sport in the 90s. “I paddle four times a week,” he said.
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