Lifetime achievement award nomination for Jourdan
PARKHURST – Parkhurst resident, Steve Jourdan (67), is one of four South Africans who are nominees in the World Paddle Awards.
Jourdan has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award. “I feel so humbled and chuffed to be have been nominated for this award,” he said. “When I got the e-mail I felt so honoured and proud that my dedication, passion and service to canoe marathon racing had been recognised.”
He is still an active paddler and has been for the past 17 years. He used to run and cycle but at the age of 50 he tried canoeing and fell in love with the sport. “It is the most complete sport there is, you are against the elements and just go. It is just something so special. It creates team spirit and forms relationships.”
Last year he won a bronze medal in the World Marathon Championships in America in his age category, and has mentored the South African marathon team for the past 13 years. The team has won 42 medals and produced 18 world champions, with the team being ranked the number one men’s kayak team in the world last year and in the top three this year.
Jourdan also runs the Soweto Canoe and Recreational Club which teaches young underprivileged children how to paddle, and uses the sport to teach them life skills.
He is a committee member of the Dabulamazi Canoe Club based in Emmarentia and they have since adopted the Soweto club, providing canoes and other resources.
“I would also like to commend Hank McGregor, Martin Dreyer and Oscar Chalupsky, who have also been nominated for the awards in different categories. Knowing that there are more South Africans nominated for the awards than any other country makes me feel extremely proud,” he said.
Details: www.worldpaddleawards.com
