The Paddle Sport Gauteng Schools (PSG) League gives young paddlers a chance to discover the excitement of competitive racing in a safe, less intimidating environment.

The league recently got underway at Homestead Dam in Benoni, introducing athletes to the sport’s racing environment while teaching them the procedures and skills needed to progress to provincial and national competitions.

Founder Estie Olivier said the league was created to give athletes a stepping stone who might otherwise find higher levels of competition daunting.

“The league is an initiative from the Paddlesport Gauteng Union to help introduce new paddlers to the racing environment and the procedures that go along with it, in a smaller and less intimidating environment compared to provincial and national-level races.”

The league consists of the marathon, trilogy dash, sprint and river series. Each series introduces athletes to a different discipline in kayaking.

The sprint series starts on October 18 at Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria.

The Trilogy series, the second of four series in the league, focuses on the sprint discipline through short 100m shootout races.

One of the league’s unique features is its handicap system, which allows athletes of different ages and abilities to compete against one another while keeping the races competitive.

According to Olivier, the format encourages athletes to keep pushing whether they are trying to hold onto the lead or chasing down an opponent.

While identifying talent in kayaking can be difficult, Olivier believes determination is one of the clearest indicators.

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“There is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to identifying talent. World champions of kayaking and canoeing come in all shapes and sizes.”

She looks for athletes with grit — youngsters willing to keep fighting through challenges, whether they are learning to stay upright in the boat, mastering technique or dealing with the pressures of racing.

However, introducing children to the sport comes with its own challenges.

Olivier said fear of water remains a barrier in some communities, meaning athletes first need to learn how to swim and become comfortable in the water.

Transport is another concern, with many dams and training venues situated far from communities, making it difficult and potentially unsafe for children to travel to training on foot.

Beyond developing paddling skills, Olivier hopes the league will help young athletes develop values that extend well beyond sport.

Respect, discipline, time management, work ethic and commitment are among the qualities she believes sport can instil.

“Sport naturally also instils discipline, good time management skills, work ethic and a sense of commitment.”

For Olivier, the greatest reward is not necessarily producing an Olympic champion, but watching young athletes overcome personal barriers.

Whether it is completing a session without capsizing, overcoming a fear of water or winning a race, she believes every achievement matters.

“Not every athlete will turn into an Olympic champion, but every athlete will overcome fears, achieve personal goals and overcome personal challenges when they have the right people and the right environment to thrive.”

Anyone interested in joining the Paddle Sport Schools League can contact the Gauteng Canoe Union PRO Jennie Dallas on 082 857 8571 for more details.

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