Peak training before rainy season

Gauteng’s paddlers were out in full force during the weekend of 28 August, preparing for the Hansa Fish River A Grade River Marathon in Cradock.

The Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) hosted the 22km Tops Spar Klip River Race from Daleside to Meyerton, providing an opportunity for newly registered paddlers to gain points for the A Grade status they need to be able to participate in the 80km Cradock race in October.

The first FLCC paddlers to cross the finish line were Gregg McWilliams and his partner Warrick Butler, in a time of 1.37, in second position in the Sub-veteran age category K2.

The competition also proved that the Gauteng Canoe Union’s transformation programmes are bearing fruit. The winner of the race was U/23 paddler Siseko Ntondini from Soweto, followed by U/18 paddler Alex Masina from Johannesburg South.

All the FLCC development community’s youth paddlers were working as marshals and sweeps at the race.

September will see the Gauteng paddlers heading for the Free State to participate in the 70km river race that runs from the Ash Water Lesotho Highlands Project to the Vaal River. They will then be off to Cradock in October.

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