Dabs paddlers take on 9 miler challenge and win
The 9 miler Canoe Race is an annual tradition that paddlers look forward to.
The annual traditional 9 Miler Canoe Race was hosted at Rietvlei Dam, by Centurion Canoe Club and, as with most of their races, Dabulamanzi Canoe Club (Dabs) paddlers took on the challenge and brought home the win.
Dabs paddlers Wayne Jacobs and Bradley Boulle won the main race in a time of 01:23:00. They paddled against a competitive bunch from Centurion in their group. Fellow Dabs canoeists Robert Crighton and Jack de Swardt finished fourth in 01:25:00 followed by a couple of Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club paddlers.
Other paddlers, Mark Garden and Ryan Rodda, finished in 01:30:00. Pippa Martin partnered with Günther Grüne and they finished the short course race as the first mixed double in a time of 01:09:00, while the first women to cross the finish line in the short course were Anya Botes and Claudia Feige who finished their race in 01:14:00.
Father-and-daughter team Robert and Kate Macfarlane (16), enjoyed the race and finished in 01:55:00. They placed fifth in K2 mixed double (two-person kayak). Grant Thiel, Gavin Coetzer and Carol Henderson finished the long course in a K3 (three-person kayak) in a time of 01:53:00.
Despite a chilly start for paddlers, the day warmed up nicely so they could enjoy the peaceful scenic countryside bordering the Rietvlei Reserve as they paddled laps around the course set at the dam to make up the nine miles traditionally raced annually. The long course was a 18.5km race and there was a short course of 12.2km for those who were not fit enough to enjoy the long challenge.
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