Challenging river rapids prepare paddlers for Fish River

BENONI based East Rand Kayak Club hosted a highly challenging 33km river race on Saturday, September 19. Paddlers braved 26km of hard and flat resistance on their way from the Vaal Dam wall to Three Rivers.

River races provide an opportunity for paddlers to gain qualifying points to earn an A-grade status, to get mileage under their belts and to train for events such as the 46km Hansa Fish River Marathon, which takes place in October in the Eastern Cape.

South residents Warren Ziervogel and his partner Martin Sly, both members of the Johannesburg Canoe Club (JCC), managed the white water rapids and the flat water slog without strain, and finished second in the sub-master category with a time of 3:16.