The perseverance shown by Dabulamanzi Canoe Club members in training is the reason for their success at recent trial races, and their selection for the Gauteng team for the upcoming South African Marathon Championship .
So says the club’s general manager, Jason Brown, after about 40 of the club’s canoeists finished with good results in the K1 and K2 trials at Homestead Dam in Benoni, on 22 and 23 July respectively, to earn selection for the province.
Michael Arthur can boast being the fastest paddler in the K1 race, clocking 1:39:42:40; while Wayne Jacbos (sub-veteran first place) finished just one second behind him. Furthermore, Jacobs and his doubles partner Dave Hamilton-Brown won the doubles race in 1:36:17.
Holly Spencer was the first woman to finish in the individual race in the K1, with 1:40:46.
The marathon canoe races, which are roughly 22km, are not just races you can show up and compete in without extensive preparation.
“Being a water sport, it is that much more challenging to stay in form when you have to contend with the frosty highveld winters and limited daylight hours,” said Brown.
“Much of the winter training on the dam continues after the sun disappears or before it has risen – not only for those who were selected but for many other hardy, dedicated paddlers.”
Brown added that he was immensely proud of the canoeists for their hard work, and was sure they would hold their own in the Marathon Championship in Pietermaritzburg, on 12 and 13 August.
Success in the Marathon Championship will serve as a bonus to canoeists, as the event will determine the selection for the SA team to compete at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Marathon World Championships, also in Pietermaritzburg, in September.
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