THERE were a number of standouts for South African athletes at this year’s International Canoe Federation (ICF) Ocean Racing World Championships, and none more so than Mount Moreland’s Saskia Hockly.
Hockly won bronze in the U23 age group and finished seventh in the Senior Women’s category in the 20km ocean race from Fremantle to Scarborough Beach in Perth, Australia.
The talented paddler built on another strong performance from September this year which saw her win a bronze medal in the U23 category at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Denmark.
“I’m so stoked with the result. This being my first year in the U23 age group, I knew it would be a big jump from the Junior category to the U23 age group when you consider I was racing girls five years older than me at World Champs. All I wanted to do, however, was medal; I didn’t care which one I got. I’m so happy to take home a bronze medal, especially following my performance at Marathon Worlds. There are no words to describe how happy I am, and I feel any athlete would be thrilled to have a world championship medal no matter which one it is,” she said.
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Hockly also had a good build-up to the race after competing in the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS).
“I think that helped me acclimate because I had been in Australia for three and a half weeks. I came over a little earlier as did other athletes to take part in the series. The conditions across a week of five races was just fantastic, and it was hotly contested. Being able to line up against all paddlers from around the world with different strengths and strategies was incredible; I definitely want to come back next year,” she said.
The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North student was also full of praise for her fellow South African athletes and their achievements, which included a silver medal for Hank McGregor, an U23 gold for Kira Bester and a Junior World title for Holly Smith.
“Team SA is always one of the leading teams in this sport. We had numerous podium finishes from Juniors to Masters, and it was such a special feeling being a part of that. Most of us train togethe,r and it was a special moment seeing how well we did. We also had a number of paddlers finish in the Top 10 which was incredible,” she said.
For Hockly, her attention now shifts to lifesaving.
“My hope is to make the national team for the Lifesaving World Championships next year on the Gold Coast. It’s such an honour to represent my country in any format, and I hope to put on the green-and-gold again,” she said.
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