Local paddlers to compete at world sprint champs
INANDA – Following excellent performances at the recent SA Sprint Championships, Matthew Maccelari (18) of St David’s Marist Inanda, Alexa Godden (17) of St Stithians College and Finlay Leask (16) of De La Salle Holy Cross College were selected as part of the SA team.
Three local paddlers have been selected as part of the six-member South African team to compete in the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Junior and U23 Sprint World Championships in Portugal in September.
Following excellent performances in the recent SA Schools Sprint Championships, Matthew Maccelari (18) of St David’s Marist Inanda, Alexa Godden (17) of St Stithians College and Finlay Leask (16) of De La Salle Holy Cross College chatted to the Chronicle about their selection while training at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club.
All three paddlers had previously competed internationally in the Olympic Hopes competition in 2019, which provided some good preparation for the championships.
Alexa, who has been trained by her father James Godden since the age of six said, “I’m excited to go to Portugal and see where I am in comparison to overseas competitors. My goal is to make a final at the event.”
She said while the high altitude training in Johannesburg would be a great advantage, windy conditions at the event may be challenging.
Matthew said he was currently preparing for the event through endurance training and gym work.
“I want to make an impact on the competition and be viewed as someone who performs well against those who live and breathe canoeing,” said Matthew.
Finlay described his selection as a dream come true.
“I think a reasonable goal would be to make the finals. I am fortunate to be young enough to use this event to see where everyone is at and be able to prepare better for next year.”
Canoeing South Africa president Kim Pople described Finlay as one of the standout paddlers in the SA Sprint Champs, winning the 1 000m, 500m and 200m K1 U18 races.
Pople said, “Having witnessed fantastic racing over the past month, it’s encouraging to see a resurgence of young paddlers in this discipline, particularly from Gauteng, Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, which is exciting for the future of sprinting, one of our Olympic disciplines.”
Olympic medallist and international canoeing coach Attila Adrovicz, who trains Finlay and Matthew said, “If they train hard and keep up their dedication, we will see good results from them.”
Other paddlers forming part of the South African team include junior girls Helen Jansen van Vuuren and Laila Maher as well as Callam Davis in the U23 category.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/293925/st-davids-paddlers-come-out-tops/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/276452/nothing-can-stop-this-st-davids-paddler/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/290341/challenging-race-helps-paddlers-prepare-for-the-dusi/
