Paddlers brave the chilly weather
Bedfordview resident and a member of the Germiston Lake Club, Roy Clegg was among 134 paddlers who participated in the winter training race on Saturday, June 29.
The 21 kilometre event was hosted by the East Rand Kayak Club at Homestead Dam. Jennie Dallas from Gauteng Canoe Union (GCU), said the event was sponsored by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) in a bid to promote the sport in the region.
She said the race attracted over 50 young paddlers who braved the chilly weather to compete on the day.
“This race suited those paddlers who are planning to participate in the country’s longest challenge, the Berg River Marathon, later this month in the Western Cape,” Jennie said.
She added that there were participants from junior clubs from all over Gauteng.
“The school league race for juniors brought in over 50 youngsters, despite the chilly conditions, who were keen to prove their winter prowess. These paddlers enjoyed their Le Mans running start to their boats lined up at the waterline and were thrilled to receive their first canoe race T-shirts. Groups of youth development paddlers from various clubs promoting transformation around Gauteng, as far afield as Secunda, were also participants,” Jennie said.
Dawie Gerber from the Serengeti Estate in Kempton Park won the K1 race in 1:48. The K2 was won by father and son, Michael and Liam Stewart from Benoni. They took it in 1:51. They are training to do their first Fish River Marathon in September.
