Locals recently joined over 100 paddlers as they took on the gruelling two-day Vaal Dam Marathon.
The marathon, hosted by the Johannesburg Canoe Club, overs 30kms per day in full river conditions.
According to Gauteng Canoe Union media liaison Jennie Dallas, paddlers were eager to get the marathon under way after feeling very despondent in recent months due to numerous cancellations as a result of heavy rains.
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“Fortunately discussions with the Joburg Water Board were positive as no more rain was anticipated in the feeder area and they were able to ensure that only one gate was open the days prior to the race to allow the water level on the river to be more manageable although still a full fun river with some exciting rapids and weirs to master.”
Participants included young U18 winner Luke Salmon, St David’s Marist Inanda learner who finished in a time of 04:52:00 over the two days and 60km, while St David’s Marist Inanda alumni Bradley Boulle completed the race in 04:55:00.
Nick Warren, a sub-master age category competitor, finished the race in 05:07:00, while Ryan Rodda finished in 05:03:00.
“A few KwaZulu-Natal-based paddlers were in 2nd to 5th place, excellent top-class paddlers who train on the infamous Dusi River, who travelled to Gauteng to enjoy the opportunity as the race was declared a seeding position race for the Dusi River Race which is scheduled to take place in February so it provided excellent training of 30km per day on fast flow,” said Dallas.
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