Paddlers high in the sky
Among the paddlers attracted to the event, was top South African title holder Hank McGregor who won the race.
FOR Gauteng Surfski competitors, finding surf to enjoy usually entails a long drive to the coast, however using motorboats and jet-skis to create waves, the annual High Altitude Surfski Race took place at Emmarentia Dam, on Saturday, February 27. Hosted by the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, the 10km race attracted many Gauteng paddlers from all areas.
Having deposited beach sand in the shallows where the dam water level is extremely low due to repairs on the dam wall, and with turbulent waves to enjoy, the surfski race was a great success with paddlers from across Gauteng enjoying the bumpy ride. Among the paddlers attracted to the event, was top South African title holder Hank McGregor who won the race, as well as multiple Dusi winner Andy Birkett, and the Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley who won the women’s race with partner Sarah Saunders.
Martin van den Bergh from the Johannesburg Canoe Club (JCC) at Wemmer Pan partnered with Greg Smith who lives in the South, to enjoy the race finishing in seventh place and a time of 49 minutes.
