Residents prepare for canoe marathon

Local residents are splashing their oars with all their might ahead of the upcoming Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon in October. Ferndale resident Jason Brown, who is general manager for Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, at Emmarentia Dam, is focusing on being ready for the kinds of rivers he will encounter. He recently raced at the Liebenberg Vlei in the Free State because of the route’s similar characteristics to those in the marathon.

Roosevelt Park resident George Louw is focusing on paddling with people. “I am doing time trials and races,” he said. “I’m focusing on keeping up with everyone and where to position myself in the diamond, whether at the front or side.” The marathon will take place in Cradock, Eastern Cape, between 10 and 11 October.

Brown explained that he likes canoeing because “it is an excellent opportunity to get outdoors and socialise”. It is also exciting and rewarding when one finishes a challenging race. The worst part of canoeing is the unpredictability of the weather. Louw said that he likes canoeing because it is different from other sports because it has a “technical aspect”. “You have to know how to read the water and rapids,” he explained. For Louw, the worst part of canoeing is the threat of breaking equipment, and that someone always has to drop the canoeist off and pick him or her up from races.

Details: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club info@dabulamanzi.co.za, 011 486 0979.