Ethan Cockram makes waves as a canoeist aiming to become SA U23 river champion in K1 and K2
From the Umgeni River to the Berg River Canoe Marathon, Cockrams rise to success is a tale of dedication and perseverance.
Ethan Matthew Cockram (19) is making waves in the canoeing community, while putting Fourways’ name on the map.
Inspired by his father, who is an avid paddler, Cockram embarked on his canoeing journey in August 2019, participating in the Fish River canoe marathon.
His interest quickly blossomed during his first practice with the Michealhouse paddling team, where he navigated the Umgeni River and realized his passion for the sport.
Read more: Fourways paddlers shine at the Berg River Canoe Marathon
Over the past six years, Cockram’s journey has evolved significantly. Initially a social paddler, he began to focus more seriously on his training late last year when he found a partner who matched his pace.
“Having that partner meant I had more than one reason to show up each day and train properly. My paddling has soared since then, I can do a 2km sprint three minutes faster now than I could in October last year.”
Recently, he participated in the grueling Berg River canoe marathon, a challenging 240km race over four days, and he came second in the U23 category.
“I prepared for the marathon by spending as much time in a boat as I could, just to condition myself for doing that for around five hours a day for four days. I also spent some Saturdays doing long sessions down the Vaal River.”
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Heading into the event, he aimed for a top 20 finish. Although he missed his target by finishing 21, Cockram was proud of his achievement and excited about securing second place in the U23 category.
Cockram’s rigorous training week showcases his dedication: Mondays are for sprint or distance sessions, Tuesdays involve squad speed work, and Saturdays include long-distance paddles of 20km or more.
His coach, Atilla Adrovicz, a Hungarian paddler with an Olympic medal, has been integral to Cockram’s progress. Under Adrovicz’s mentorship, Cockram has developed his skills and competitive edge significantly over the last ten months.
Looking ahead, Cockram is gearing up for the Liebenbergsvlei River marathon and the Pete Marlin Surfski race in East London on September 30. His immediate goal is to improve his speed, with a longer-term aspiration to become the U23 river champion of South Africa in both the K1 and K2 categories.
What fuels Cockram’s passion for canoeing is the profound gratification that comes from progress, whether it’s mastering a rapid or improving his time in a time trial. Beyond competition, he has forged meaningful friendships and even found love through the sport.
For aspiring paddlers, his advice is simple: dive in wholeheartedly. “Canoeing is incredibly rewarding, and it can also be a fun, social hobby,” he said.
With his dedication and enthusiasm, Cockram is undoubtedly a rising star in the canoeing world.
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