Dabulamanzi paddlers take on the Cradock raging waters

Dabulamanzi Canoe Club paddlers recently took part in the 2022 Fish River Canoe Marathon.

Held in Cradock, the marathon took place on October 7 and 8 and it saw canoeist paddle 80kms of the wild splashing waters of this Eastern Cape town which came with numerous challenging rapids over the two days.

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A number of local paddlers participated in the event, some of whom were novices who gave their best while being supported by their families. Finishing in a time of 05:10:00 were K3 paddlers, Riccardo Talevi, Nicholas Weeks, and Michael Arthur over the two days.

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While Clinton Cook, who was in his K1, placed second overall just 11 minutes behind the three paddlers. Wayne Jacobs finished as the first veteran age category in 05:17:00.

The first Gauteng female finisher in a single kayak, Christie Mackenzie, finished as the second woman overall at the race, U23, in a time of 05:50:00 having just returned from Portugal in time to make it to Cradock, where she competed at the International Canoe Federation World Marathon Championships event, where she earned a bronze medal.

Kelvin Byres, with junior Jordan Byres (15) and with Mark Garden were also among the finishers in a K3, finishing the race in 05:31:00, as the second K3 overall.

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