Melusi and Donald all set for Fish

The Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) K2 pairing of Melusi Nxumalo and Donald Moncho have booked their place in the Gauteng team to compete in the upcoming Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon (HFRCM).

The pair secured their places as expected, having finished fifth overall and as the second U/23 team in a time of two hours and 36 minutes during the Gauteng Canoe Union (GCU) trials on the Vaal River the weekend before last.

The trial event, which was hosted by the East Rand Kayak Club, is a 33km race on the Vaal River from the dam wall to Three Rivers. It is regarded as great preparation for the upcoming HFRCM.

The 2013 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon is a two-day race that takes place from Friday 27 to Saturday 28 September. Canoeists will start day one on the Grassridge Dam and finish 1km below Knutsford Bridge (45,8km). Day two will start where canoeists had stopped the day before and end 36km further at the Sports Complex in Cradock, covering a total distance of 81,8km.

According to FLCC spokesperson Jennie Dallas, “The trials were a great opportunity to iron out partnerships for the Fish Marathon coming up in two weeks’ time and the doubles championships for the SA K2 River Championships, which will be on this river in November.

“The few interesting and challenging rapids on the Vaal River sorted out the good combinations from the swimmers in short thrift.”

Other top FLCC finishers at the GCU trials were Serge van Hee and Michael Benci who finished in ninth position overall and a time of two hours and 39 minutes. Despite some admin problems with the boat that caused delays at the trials, the pair is confident of a top FLCC finish at the Fish.