Canoeists give their best at champs
SANDTON – The team now looks forward to the Olympic Hopes Regatta this month in Czechoslovakia.
Two local canoeists gave a stellar performance at the recent championships in Portugal.
Matthew Maccelari of St David’s Marist Inanda and Alex Godden of St Stithians Girls College were part of the junior South African team who raced in various heats at the Junior International Canoe Federation World Sprint Championships from September 3 to 6.
It was the first time the team of five canoeists competed in a world championship event, following two years of no international competition due to Covid-19.
Matthew and Alexa participated in the K1 (single kayak) junior men’s and women’s races.
Canoeing South Africa president Kim Pople said, “This championship was a great opportunity for our young paddlers to race on an international stage against the best in the world. Missing two years of international competition is a long time and it was fantastic to get back and see where we are and gauge where we are internationally.”
Matthew later teamed up with Finlay Leask of De La Salle College in Randburg and Alexa teamed up with Helen Jansen van Vuuren of Germiston Hoërskool to participate in the doubles kayak (K2) races.
The team now looks forward to the Olympic Hopes Regatta this month in Czechoslovakia.
The event prepares young paddlers for what they can expect when they are one day selected to compete in the Olympics.
