The Jukskei river challenges paddlers

The Dabulamanzi Canoe Club based at Emmarentia Dam, hosted the Euro Steel Crocodile River race on 16 and 17 January, that took place from the Heron Bridge Farm through the Lanseria area on the Jukskei River.

“Gauteng paddlers were thrilled to have the top South African paddlers to race with on our local river preparing for the upcoming FNB Dusi endurance event in February,” said Jennie Dallas from the Gauteng Canoe Union. She explained that world marathon champions, a world surfski champion, multiple Dusi winners and South African titleholders, Hank McCregor, Jasper Mocke, Andy Birkett and Lance Kime’s also joined in the action. Euro Steel CEO, Colin Wilson also participated in the race.

Local paddlers from the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, enjoyed the opportunity to train for the Dusi on this highly technical demanding river, similar in its nature as it is scattered with boulders and rapids as well as mighty wave trains. The race saw paddlers, paddling 35km on the first day and 16km on the second day. The race also included 8km of running, where paddlers had to carry their boats up gruelling hills and across the fields of the Kentucky Polo Crosse farm. The paddlers were well tested for an endurance marathon event.

A number of paddlers withdrew after the first day due to boat damage in the fast-flowing river. Finishers from the local club included a number of paddlers as well as the third place unstoppable achievers, who live in Albertskroon and are members of the SCARC racing team: Siyabonga Tyiki and Thando Ngamlana as first U23 in a time of 3 hours and 50 minutes. The young pair trains at Emmarentia Dam under the mentorship and sponsorship of the Adreach group, they stayed very close to the world champions during the race and finished only seven minutes behind the top pair.

Details: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, 011 486 0979.