First para-plegic to complete canoe marathon

Constant Olivier’s dream of completing the 82 kilometre Hansa Fish River Canoe marathon came true earlier this month.

The paraplegic canoeist has been training in the rivers of Johannesburg in the hopes of finding paddlers and helpers to support him.

What made this race even more special was that along with Olivier there was 75-year-old Hugh Raw and Andrew Lake who’s had three open heart surgeries participating.

The K3 team completed the event which was the South African K2 River Championships in a time of 8:24.

“They whipped a whole lot of younger and more able paddlers in the process through massive white water waves and technical tricky rocky rapids, including a number of swims in the fast flowing water,” said Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas.

Local high school boys assisted at the portages and take outs to help carry Olivier up the slippery muddy banks, over the dam wall, through fences, over walls and around weirs.

Olivier was overwhelmed and appreciation for the help he received during the race.

“ It was a privilege and honour to be part of this amazing team. I am the first Fish River paraplegic finisher thanks to the locals and my Natal based partners for the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic exciting river race,” he said.

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