Sandton paddlers made of steel
SANDTON - In preparation for the FNB Dusi endurance event taking place in February, paddlers were thrilled to race alongside South Africa's top stars in the Euro Steel Crocodile River Race at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club on 16 and 17 February.
The event saw world marathon champions and South African title holders, Hank McGregor, Jasper Mocke, Andy Birkett, and Lance Kime take on the challenge along with the CEO of Euro Steel, Colin Wilson.
The race began at Heron Bridge Farm and went on to the Lanseria area on the Jukskei River where paddlers travelled 35km on the first day and 16km on the second.
Spokesperson for the Gauteng Canoe Union, Jennie Dallas said, “Sandton-based paddlers who are members of the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club based at Emmarentia Dam, also enjoyed the opportunity to train for the Dusi on this highly technical, demanding river so similar in its nature, scattered with boulders and bend rapids as well as mighty wave trains.”
While a number of paddlers withdrew after the first day due to boat damage in the fast flowing river, successful finishers Dave Hamilton-Brown from Sandton, a well-recognised world marathon achiever, who doubled with his sister Genevieve Curl, to win the Mixed Doubles category in a time of 04:46:00.
Mark Garden, also a local Sandton-based paddler and lawyer, won the K1 single boat category in a time of 04:14:00 in the first Sub Veteran age category.
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