Boksburg pair qualifies for SA champs
Great Grand Master duo ready for the big stage
The Gauteng Canoe Union’s Marathon Championship was hosted by the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, based at Germiston Lake, over the weekend of September 19 and 20.
Paddlers from all ages and from as young as u-8 right through to the Great Grand Masters (over 65 years) were thrilled at the opportunity to participate in the singles (K1) and/or doubles (K2) races after months of lockdown.
Numerous paddlers from throughout Gauteng participated in the trials for team selection to represent the province at the upcoming South African Canoe Marathon Championship in October on the canals at St Francis Bay. Categories include the 12 years and under juniors in ‘guppy’ boats, as well as K1 (single kayaks) men and women all ages, and K2 (double kayaks).
Marathon canoe races for the Great Grand Master category is approximately 18km, for which Frans Fischer partnered with John Rowan from Boksburg.
The hardy pair of paddlers finished the course despite choppy, windy conditions with waves over the boats in a time of two hours and 12 minutes, securing their selection to the Gauteng provincial team to participate at the upcoming SA Marathon championships.
“It was great to be back. It was my first race since January,” said Beyers Park resident Rowan, who also said being away from competition for such a long time took its toll.
“It was tough out there, the wind was very aggressive with speeds of about 40km/h if I’m not mistaken,” he explained, before touching on what it takes to compete in such a gruelling race.
“The fitness levels are not that bad, but they’re not where they were before lockdown. I am a great grand master, so I’ve been doing it for a long time. Once they lifted restrictions for canoeing I started training. I train about three times a week and do about 10km each time, equalling a training distance of 30km a week.”
The SA Marathon Championship will be hosted at Saint Francis Bay on October 11 and 12.
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