Gerber sprints to victory at sprint canoe nationals

The East Rand Kayak (ERK) Club paddler, David Gerber, was in sublime form during the South Africa Sprint Canoe Championships in Pretoria from April 4 to 6.

Gerber returned from the competition with the sub-veteran men’s title in the 500m K1 sprint and a silver medal in the senior men’s 200m K1 race.

He began his charge for the title with a 01:52.09 in the first heat of the 500m to finish first and clocked 01:53.92 in the final, finishing fifth overall and first in his category.

Hamish Lovemore took the national title in 01:45.42, with Ulvard Hart second in 01:48.27. Henry van der Walt rounded up the podium with 01:48.93.

In the short sprint, Gerber clocked the fastest time in the heats. He finished the first heat in a blistering 39.26 seconds, before Van der Walt beat him to the title in the final.

Van der Walt, from the Academy of Canoe Development (ACD), won in 38.52 seconds, and Gerber settled for the runner-up spot in 39.26.

Gerber and Van der Walt then teamed up to win the 200m K2 title, sprinting to the finish in a quick-fire 35.29.
Gerber, meanwhile, carried his fiery form into the annual High Altitude Surf Ski Race at Emmarentia Dam on April 12.

He and his partner, Nicholas Weeks, finished the surf race in 47:46.

The ERK’s Jonathan Nel clocked 55:33 to finish 26th, while Richard Tandy was 30th in 55:45. Vallon Kupferberg finished 35th in a time of 59:25.

Also Read: ERK’s Gerber podiums at surfski champs

Also Read: Weeks, Gerber paddle to victory