Blairgowrie canoeists win podium finishes at SA Interprovincial Sprint Championships
Paddlers perform well at the hardest and fastest sprint distances.
Two local canoeists have excelled at the SA Interprovincial Sprint Championships held at Victoria Lake Canoe Club in Germiston April 28–30.
Blairgowrie resident and Hoërskool Randburg learner, Daniel van Eeden lined up in the heats, semis and finals with hundreds of other junior canoeists for the 200m, 500m and 1 000m sprint events.
He finished in third place in the U14 boys division 500m K1 (one-person kayak) heat, first in the semi-final and fourth in the final event. He also placed third in the 200m K1 event and second in the semi-final for this distance, and sixth overall in the final.
Another Blairgowrie resident, Alexa Godden is studying a Bachelor of Business Science course online through the University of London. She was selected for the South African team to participate in the World U23 Sprint Championships after finishing in second place in the women’s all-ages 200m K1 final.
She was, however, the first U23 paddler across and so qualified for that age group’s team.
This was no surprise, as Godden has had a history of strong performances at interprovincial and other races. She has even competed internationally and at the Olympic Hopefuls at U18 level.
“Sprinting is the canoeing Olympic discipline and a highly respected one,” explained Jennie Dallas of the Gauteng Canoe Union. She added 200m is the shortest, fastest and hardest sprint distance to win.
“Other disciplines enjoyed in canoeing include marathon racing, which is long distances including a portage where paddlers take their boat out of the water, displaying smooth efficient skills without falling into the water, or dropping the wet boat, and running/walking a short distance on land, before putting their boat efficiently back into the water, getting in quickly and continuing their race.
“River racing, white water paddling, surfski and canoe polo are among other disciplines available to be enjoyed in the canoeing sport.”
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