MIDVAAL. – The clubhouse and restaurant at Victoria Lake Canoe Club was crowded to capacity on Tuesday, 5 April, as members from various areas around Gauteng gathered to celebrate the life of canoeist Franz Fischer, who passed on last week.
Franz, who was in his 70s, was an avid paddler and actively involved in various projects including removing trees and debris from local rivers which are unsafe for paddlers.
Franz unfortunately suffered a heart attack on March 31 while paddling and fell out of his canoe into the river at Henley on Klip. However, his partner, Deryck Armour, a member of the Johannesburg Canoe Club based at Wemmer Pan, was able to get him to the river bank where CPR was performed and the local community emergency team was quick to respond to ensure resuscitation.
Franz was transported to hospital for treatment and while it appeared he recovered well, sending smiling photos to those wishing him well, the tests performed indicated that heart surgery was required. He unfortunately did not survive.
The paddlers and families paid their respects to this gentleman who had participated in numerous river races and extreme adventures in his life, as well as being a devoted father and husband.
A bouquet of flowers was sent out in the boats to float on the water during the Paddle Up ceremony, where paddlers on the water raised their paddlers in a salute of farewell to the highly respected paddling member. The memorial was organised by the Victoria Lake Canoe Club based at Germiston Lake.
* The writer of this article, Jennie Dallas, is Media Liaison for the Gauteng Canoe Union.
