Six reasons to start canoeing

It is in the first few months of the year that people embark on new resolutions as they tell themselves this is the year they get out of their comfort zone to try something new.

Luckily this is a community that has a vast array of activities one can take part in, be it with their family or solo. Take canoeing for instance, now this is a sport you can totally do either with your family or just by yourself.

Jennie Dallas, Gauteng Canoe Union spokesperson, answered some questions about the sport so debug some fears around it.

Here is what she had to say:

• What do you think gets people intimidated about the sport

That it’s not as easy and it requires transport and equipment; – boat, lifejacket and paddle – and you can’t just use any kayak, there are different levels of stability so many people get into a racing level five stability and just plop fall in immediately which is off-putting. It is, therefore. essential to be introduced correctly by a knowledgeable kayaker or coach who can teach you the steps and ensure you are in a suitable type of kayak for your level of ability. It’s a sport more widely available near coastal areas where there are more rivers, surf and lagoons, while in Gauteng dams are few and far between – not something you see daily.

• Is there an age factor involved with taking part in the sport?

Age is not the factor, although in racing we start with U8, however, there have been six-year-olds who won the U8 races. The most important factor and critical issue is, of course, the ability to swim confidently as a safety requirement. As long as the child (four-years-old plus) can swim the child can be enabled to play in a kayak, even if starting in a double or an open canoe just for fun to learn to steer. They will have to be tall enough to reach pedals on the kayak in order to steer – some are a bit too short for the kid guppie kayaks until around eight-year-olds but we find a way for them to enjoy the sport.

• What are the health benefits?

The sport is amazingly good for your body as it strengthens every single muscle group, especially your core. It is like sitting on a balancing ball wiggling your hips for balance and using your legs to push left/right while your body/arms move with the left/right and pull the water. You can get as strong and fit as you prefer. Whether it’s by doing a 100km race over five days a 10km time trial or maybe just a few laps to enjoy.

• Do you get to travel a lot with the sport?

Yes – you get to see the Great Fish River in Cradock, take part in the Dusi River Race, in the Valley of 1 000 Hills in KwaZulu-Natal, The Berg in the Western Cape Farmlands and many, many more.

• What can people expect to gain from the sport?

Great joy and excitement, something different, a muscle toned body, peace and inner tranquillity, extreme sports, if that’s what they enjoy, like White Water paddlers dropping down huge waterfalls, extreme fitness like 540km along the Berg river in four days, fitness involving short fast sprint races as well.

• What makes it fun?

Falling in and being able to chat and laugh if in a group (unlike swimming) mastering technique, and just having fun chasing each other around the lakes and dams kids just love it and they don’t outgrow it!