The 9 Miler 18km race on Rietvlei Dam, at the end of July, annually heralds the start of serious training for major races on the canoe race calendar.
Many paddlers who have been resting or hibernating since the Dusi, in February, or through the early part of winter, inevitably find their way back onto the water to obtain a decent seeding for the major A Grade Fish River event, which takes place in nine weeks’ time – just enough time to train for the challenging 80km white water event.
Despite the presence of both crocodile and hippo at the Rietvlei Dam, the race, hosted by Centurion Canoe Club, never fails to attract a large crowd as the paddlers enjoy company on the five laps around the massive dam.
With more than 130 paddlers on the water, no boat is alone for too long, either overtaking or being overtaken, depending on fitness levels.
Members of the Homestead Dam-based Ekurhuleni Kayak Club, Jarryd Breeds and partner Vallon Kupferberg, finished the race in 14th place overall, in one hour and 26 minutes.
Malcolm Stothard and Mike Barry, from Benoni, were the Sub Master age category winners, while John Rowan and Vince Buttrick, from the same club, were the Great Grand Master (over 65 years old) first finishers.
Benoni Businessman Rod Carpenter partnered with Keith Beeston to finish as the first Sub Grand Masters (not yet 60 years of age), while young Liwalam Ntsiza, also a member of the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club, used the opportunity to improve his overall fitness by finishing as the ninth single boat, in one hour and 42 minutes.
