Soweto paddlers take over the Dambusters Canoe Race
The preparation race at Emmarentia Dam provided a training opportunity for paddlers and a variety of race options were made available for different levels of fitness for the paddlers.
Dabulamanzi Canoe Club based at Emmarentia Dam provided the opportunity for paddlers to do their training after the festive season.
This comes while some paddlers may be preparing for the Eurosteel Dusi River Marathon.
The marathon will be taking place between from February 15 to 17, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
It is regarded as the world’s toughest endurance canoe marathon.
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The preparation race at Emmarentia Dam provided a training opportunity for paddlers and a variety of race options were made available for different levels of fitness for the paddlers.
In the Red Race course, the race was an 8 KM paddle followed by a 3 KM run in the boat, as well as a 7 KM paddle.
Ryno Armdorff, one of the founding members of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club based at Power Park, is still an active paddler and participated in the training event for the Dusi 2024.
The race included a portage where they walk or run depending on fitness levels with the boats in true Dusi training style.
With partner, Andrew Hall, the finished in a time of 1: 44 minutes as the sixth finishers in a K2.
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Chazani Gumede who spent his festive season time in training on the Dusi river finished as the first Single K1 boat in a time of 1: 45 minutes.
Young Tina Njiyele in the under 14 category, participated in the Yellow course race which did not require a run or portage. She was the first finishing lady in a single kayak in a time of 1: 18 minutes.
