VLC paddlers give their best in Canoe Union Championships
“Competition was tough, despite strong winds, as paddlers were aiming for personal bests as part of their final preparations for nationals which are taking place in April in KZN,” said Jennie.
Paddlers braved the weather on March 6 to compete in the Gauteng Canoe Union Championships and Junior Sprint Schools League at Germiston Lake.
“One hundred and twenty three paddlers from eight different canoe clubs within Gauteng competed in the regatta. The youngest competitor was six years old to our eldest competitor who was in the Grand Master age category,” said Jennie Dallas, the PRO of Gauteng Canoe Union.
She said even though the winds were not in the favour of paddlers, they did their best.
“Competition was tough, despite strong winds, as paddlers were aiming for personal bests as part of their final preparations for nationals which are taking place in April in KZN,” said Jennie.
The distances for the day were 200m and 500m sprints for experienced paddlers. There was a 100m sprint race for 17 paddlers who were new to the sport.
ALSO READ: Shoprite Group invites students to apply for bursaries in accounting and IT
The Victoria Lake Club saw six paddlers competing and did well. In the u-18 category Helen Jansen van Vuuren came first in both the 200m and 500 m.
In the u-23 category for 200m and 500m Nkosinathi Mtombela came seventh. Anton Nels dashed into first place in both the 200m and 500m in the master’s category. In the senior category, Allan Aim came first and was joined by Richard Cele in fourth place.In the sub-veteran category, Loveday Zondi came first in both the 200m and 500m race.In attendances of the regatta was Esti van Tonder from Academy for Canoe Development.
Van Tonder will be competing in trials later in March to try and earn a spot to represent South Africa overseas with the view to qualify for the Olympics later this year.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
