Hoërskool Parys dominates at Gauteng Canoe Union League
EMMARENTIA – Paddlers prepare for the South African inter-school and Provincial Sprint competition.
The Gauteng Canoe Union League’s first race for the year took place on 30 January at Emmarentia Dam, where paddlers were ready to compete for the highest points.
It was attended by different schools from different age groups starting from U8 to U18. Hoërskool Parys came in first place with 117 points, second place went to Parktown Girls with 105 points and St Davids Marist Inanda came in third place with 76 points.
Spokesperson of the Gauteng Canoe Union, Jennie Dallas said that once a year schools from different provinces compete in the race.
She added that the race was in preparation for the South African inter-school and Provincial Sprint competition that will take place on 22 March at Shongweni Dam in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Unlike in KwaZulu-Natal where canoeing is widely supported and recognised, in Gauteng only St Davids Marist Inanda in Sandton and Parktown High School for Girls in Rosebank have canoeing as part of their co-curricular,” said Dallas.
The other schools that participated in the race were Northcliff High School, Hoërskool Randburg and Musi High.
Head coach of Parktown High School for Girls, Sarah Goldschagg who has been canoeing since she was in Grade 9, said that her team practises twice a week for two hours. Their practice involves fitness and sprints where they can apply different techniques.
