St David’s Marist Inanda stole the show at the Gauteng Canoe Union Schools League race day at Emmarentia Dam.
Of the 80 canoeists competing for glory from schools from as far as Parys, St David’s fielded 20 canoeists and earned placings in almost all age divisions, which ranged from beginners and U8s all the way to U18.
It was a sunny but windy day out on 14 October, perfect for canoe racing.
“It felt really good to win,” said U8 champion, Aiden Honke. “The wind pushed against me at the one side of the dam and made it difficult. The trick was to push with my legs on the side of the canoe when I turn, it gives me a stronger stroke.”
He said the best thing about canoeing was not to win races, but to see all his friends. Team coach, Phineas Zulu said all his canoeists performed exceptionally well.
“St David’s has been canoeing for a very long time,” he said. “Some of our best old boys are about 35 years old now. Our canoeing has been successful because the school takes the sport very seriously, and enthusiastic parents play a huge role.”
The event was race 10 of 11 in the Schools League for 2017, with the final to take place at Homestead Dam, Benoni, on 5 November. Zulu believes St David’s will take most of the prizes come the prizegiving at the end of the year.
Other St David’s canoeists to earn placings were:
- James Wilmot came third in the 5.5km U14 race
- Luke Watkins came second in the 4.4km U12 race
- In the 3.3km U10 race, Luke Wilson came first, Matthew Wilson came second and Jess Webber came third
- In the 2.2km U8 race, Aiden Honke came first, Ethan Duncan came second and Kai Davis came third.
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