St Davids Marist College pupil wins canoe medal
SANDTON - Dominic di Nicola, a pupil from St Davids Marist College in Sandton won bronze at the Gauteng Canoe Union’s first marathon race for school league juniors.
The race took place on the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark where temperatures were expected to be extremely cold.
Jennie Dallas, of the Gauteng Canoe Union School League said fortunately the day warmed up quickly. “No frost could chill the young paddlers’ enthusiasm for their sport enjoyment and the adventure of a river race,” she said.
Di Nicola won the bronze medal in the U10 age group, finishing his 3km race, half of which was upstream against the current, in 0:24:37.
Dallas explained that with the South African School Sprints event done and dusted, the league concentrated for the rest of the year on distance, building up stamina and endurance, as well as speed training to develop the young paddlers.
She also said all race finishers complete age appropriate distance races earning points on a sliding scale for the log which accumulate and are credited to their school as well as the club represented for the annual prize-giving in November.
“St Davids has won the school trophy for the past couple of years based on accumulated points from the numerous paddlers representing the school,” added Dallas.
She said the juniors also receive points towards Gauteng Junior colours for participation at inter-provincial events which are recognised by the schools they attend.
