Freedom Day gave the Gauteng new paddlers an opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills at their first ever river race.
Along with experienced paddlers, they participated in the Novice Cake Race.
Hosted by the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, the event was a chance for the novices to gain their first point for A grade status.
The first finishing novices won a specially baked cake as their prize.
The experienced paddlers at Florida Lake Canoe Club partnered with novices and newly registered paddlers to ensure their early experiences would be pleasant and enjoyable.
The race started in Henley on Klip at the Twin Rivers Estates and traversed through to the Danie Maclean Park in Meyerton.
This was a distance of almost 15- kilometres which is manageable for new paddlers.
“The water levels are also currently manageable, not too high or too fast as found in the peak rainy season, and not too low and technical so ideal for new paddlers to gain experience in a manageable environment,” said Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas.
The clubs top paddler Shaun Maphanga partnered up with Matthew van der Merwe.
The duo thoroughly enjoyed their time together on the waters and managed to finish in sixth position with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes.
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