ERK hosts Mighty Vaal Challenge
The Homestead Dam-based Ekurhuleni Kayak Club (ERK) hosted the last river race in Gauteng, the “ERK Vaal River Marathon”, ahead of the upcoming A-Grade Hansa Fish River Marathon, on Saturday, September 19.
The challenge, from the Vaal Dam wall to Three Rivers, a distance of some 33km, included a number of highly challenging river rapids and 26km of hard flat water, where paddlers were made to work hard against the head winds.
The river races also provided opportunities for paddlers to gain qualifying points for their A-Grade status, in order to participate at the upcoming A-Grade events.
With numerous club members assisting at portages and helping to organise the events, it was left up to Alex Johnson and Miguel Simoes to represent the club in the race.
Despite a chilly start and strong winds, and with the current flowing against the oncoming canoes, a tough hard slog was in order.
The Benoni pair finished the race in three hours and 30 minutes, as planned, and notched the mileage on their training programme.
