ON Friday, 22 May, Toti Canoe Club hosted its 2014 annual awards ceremony.
The awards allocation is a combination of the year’s achievements within both the canoe and surf ski disciplines and is specific to Toti Canoe Club members.
The awards are primarily determined from the official timing and placings published by the KwaZulu Natal Canoe Union (KNCU), the other awards are issued at the discretion of the club gurus at the sole discretion of the club chairman and club captain. The awards evening is always well supported by both friends and families who enjoy an evening of laughs, digs, chirps and general sportsman-like banter.
Awards:
Guppy of the year U10 Luke O’ Connor
Dynamic display – most dedicated guppy Caide Ellis
It’s great to see the dedication from both Luke and Caide who will certainly be Toti’s future champions. A special mention must be made of their parents who wait patiently on the river bank while their coach Brent Chiazzari passes down some valuable knowledge he gained from his father, Mike. A great effort all round.
For the rest of the club, there were some fierce battles among the age categories, not only in the training session, but in the participation in the various races throughout the country.
The Pro-Pipe – 1st Toti boat home at the Fish River canoe marathon – Gene Prato and Gareth Hazell
Durban Concrete Fencing – 1st Toti boat home at the Dusi Canoe Marathon – Matt Collins
Davnev – Rambo trophy for completing all the major marathons, viz Dusi, Fish and Non-Stop – Ross Fountain
Award for first boat home in the Non-Stop Dusi – Gary Albers, Ross Fountain.
Snorkel Lips trophy for swimmers of the year – Albert Swart and Lance Sillwood.
Taxidermist trophy for biggest boat break of the year – Brett Hadiaras.
Most improved paddlers – Albert Swart and Lance Sillwood (K3).
Chiazzari’s Bucket trophy for last Toti boat home at the Fish – Ross, Brett, Ashley Espitalier.
Price Waterhouse trophy for the flat water champ – Tyron Pontes.
Roga Plastics Toti Club River champion 2014 – Matt Collins.
Pro-pipe K1 river champion – Matt Collins.
Warick SA trophy for overall club champion – Matt Collins.
Toti Club surf ski champion – Oliver Burn.
Nigel Ward chairman’s award for club commitment – Shane Mcgee.
If 2015 is half as fun as 2014, canoeists will certainly be in for a cracker year.
The club will be open each Wednesday for a time trial starting 5.15pm at the latest. As soon as the winter evenings subside and there is daylight for longer, time trials will start later.
Congratulations to Gene Prato for claim second position in the U23 KZN marathon championships held last weekend. Quinton Rutherford came home in first place in the masters with his paddling partner Rowen Matthews. The club has no doubt the boys will deliver a similar result in the SA champs this weekend. Good luck Gene and Quinton.
A new committee was elected at the AGM, also held on 22 May.
They are:
- Treasurer Ashley Espitalier;
- club captain Gary Albers;
- entertainment Rory Taylor;
- safety officer (ski) Neville Hazell;
- junior rep Gareth Hazell;
- coaching Brent Chiazzari;
- development Sipho Luthuli;
- chairman Ross Fountain.
Keep an eye on the Toti Canoe Club Facebook page and Twitter for all of the latest news and upcoming events.
For anyone interested in paddling, contact the club via email at toticanoeclub@gmail.com or call Ross on 082-827-0465 or Gary on 082-877-7719.
