Powerboating to the top
Krynauw Brits is a Grade 9 student at Hugenote, but in his spare time, he has a passion for driving high speed boats.
He is 15 years old and is an avid sportsman. He plays rugby and golf for his school but also enjoys water sports like skiing and swimming.
His mother, Monica Brits, says Krynauw was inspired to start boating by his family.
“Krynauw’s role models are his grandfather, Hennie Brits, and his father, Anton Brits who did powerboat racing and ski-racing.
“His father and brother are also doing South Africa powerboat racing in hard bottom boats,” she says.
Krynauw began his racing career in 2008 in a little Hydro 18 horse power motor boat.
He did so well in his first season, ending third in the championship, that he decided to keep going with his second season.
“In 2010 he moved up to the Formula 30 class which is a formula one style cat hull, powered by a 30 horse power motor. These boats are capable of doing speeds in excess of 80 km an hour,” explains Monica.
Krynauw, his brother Gustav and their father race once a month in different events throughout South Africa.
In his 2012 season, he managed to end third overall in the South African championship and this year he reached third again and will represent South Africa next year in the European world series.
“Krynauw was his brother, Gustav’s, co-pilot for the 2013 season and they came third in the L5 class, with engine size of 150 to 200 horsepower. Seeing that they were the youngest team competing, this is an outstanding achievement,” Monica says.
Krynauw will be racing his Formula 30 at the Grand Prix powerboating world series at Abrahamsrust in Sasolburg on the Vaal river over the weekend of December 14 and 15.
