Boksburg paddlers impress at SA Canoe Champs
Cape Robins flitting about the ground were a strong indication that winter had arrived in Gauteng, when Benoni’s Homestead Dam hosted the SA Canoe Marathon Championships, over the weekend of June 7 and 8.
The event, which was sponsored by the likes of the City of Ekurhuleni, Birchwood Hotel and Jeep, saw well over 200 competitors take part in what was a strong field.
The singles race (K1) took place on Saturday and included paddlers from the Gauteng School League, while the doubles race (K2) featured on Sunday.
High profile racers included Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley, Hank McGregor, Grant and Brandon van der Walt; as well as multiple Dusi winners Andy Birkett and Abbey Adie, to name just a few.
Reigning Ekurhuleni Kayak Club champion Michael Stewart emerged as the best local paddler in the gruelling 22.5km race, with a fourth place finish in the Veteran Men’s category, crossing the line in 1:50:00.
Boksburg’s Malcolm Stothard finished ninth in the Sub Master Men category, clocking a time of 1:58:00, while, in the Master age category, Franz Lottering finished sixth in 2:13:00.
Former Boksburg High School pupil Nicholas Weeks finished the distance in 2:11:00. – @SabeloBoksburg
