Local paddlers take part in annual race
It is the most exciting river race with the water release from major dams to fill local farmers’ dams towards the coast line after winter, for the spring seasonal farming fields.
The trek from Gauteng to Cradock in the Eastern Cape takes place annually for paddlers wanting to do the two day 80km Fish river canoe marathon.
It is the most exciting river race with the water release from major dams to fill local farmers’ dams towards the coast line after winter, for the spring seasonal farming fields.
Soweto based paddlers have achieved exceptionally well considering they have not grown up near rivers or oceans with moving water, yet they seem very comfortable in the amazing huge white water rapids on the Fish River in the Eastern Cape.
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While it’s a long drive, the river is very worthwhile with major rapids. In a number of cases the locals in Cradock have built concrete “shutes” across the river during the dry season where the water flow is limited, to enable paddlers to shoot some weirs.
There are some very tricky rapids and numerous swims from time to time but paddlers are trained to keep hold of their boats, and swim to the side, get out, empty the water from the boat and continue.
Siseko Ntondini was the first paddler from the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) to finish the two day race, and has for numerous years achieved well as a top paddler in Gauteng.
He partnered with a paddler from KZN, where his family originated from, as did many other Soweto born paddler, Banetse Nkhoesa.
They finished in the top 10 of Gauteng area paddlers and were the 19th boat across the finish line in a time of five hours 15 minutes, as the 18th K2.
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Thulani Mbanjwa from KZN partnered with Soweto based Kwandokuhle Mzolo to finish in five hours 15 minutes, as 19th K2 with numerous other similar combinations following.
The Under 23 team of Benjamin Mntonintshi and Wongama Makasi – both Sowetans were the 25th boat in the race results in a time of five hours 23 minutes.
Sikhanyisele Dekeda, and Owethu Duna, also both based in Soweto finished the race in six hours seven minutes as the 61st K2, and as the 5th Under 18s.
