Randburg canoeists are once again making waves in the biggest of races.
Andrew Venter and Derek Levin, of Randpark and Victory Park respectively, finished first in their doubles division at the Gauteng Marathon Championships and came second at the SA Marathon Championships, while Blairgowrie resident Daniel van Eeden won silver at the SA Marathon Championships. All three are members of Dabulamanzi Canoe Club at Emmarentia Dam.
Van Eeden has been one to watch in recent years, going from strength to strength at the provincial and national championships. The Hoërskool Randburg learner finished third at the SA Interprovincial Sprint Championships in April. This is a much shorter distance event, showing the youngster is versatile in the sport.
“I have been canoeing for three and a half years and my favourite thing about it is after time, I become faster and stronger after doing the work to get there,” Daniel told Randburg Sun in a recent interview.
“I do both sprint and marathon races, and I like them both. But I seem to lean more toward marathons because I have the strength for it.” The SA Marathon Championships took place in St Francis Bay from June 15 to 18, and Van Eeden competed in the U14 division.
Venter and Levin raced in the Gauteng Marathon Championships at Homestead Dam, Benoni, on June 4. The event was 22km of canoeing with four compulsory portages of 200m each. They won the sub-grand masters age category (55 to 60 years old).
They then made their way to St Francis bay where the SA marathon champs of 18km were held in the canals of St Francis bay with three compulsory portages. Venter and Levin had a fantastic race keeping their pace and paddling in to a very respectable silver medal position.
