Mighty challenge for Tommy
Springs resident Tommy Booth (32) will take on the 240km Berg River Canoe Marathon from July 14 to 18.
Tommy is a recognised endurance paddler who in preparation for the marathon completed the 21km East Rand Kayak training and both the 25km flat Watuni Vaal River and 40km Upper Klip races.
The four day route takes paddlers through the snowcapped mountains of the Cape winelands and valleys in what is South Africa’s longest running canoe race.
Paddlers will start at Paarl and paddle past Wellington towards the Malmesbury area before curving off to finish at Zonquasdrift. The first day is a five to six hour paddle of winding through bumpy corners and overhanging trees and covers 62km.
In the second leg of the marathon, paddlers are anticipated to take three to four hours to paddle 45km through the Palmiet island and channel towards the Misverstand Dam before ending at Bridgetown.
The paddlers are faced with a 75km paddle on the third day. This leg bypasses Piketberg and finishes at Zoutkloof in the Hopefield area.
Paddlers will finish the marathon with a 60km paddle towards the finish at Velddrif bridge.
Tommy is a member of the East Rand Kayak club based at Homestead Dam in Benoni.
