Hansa Fish Canoe Marathon tests paddlers

The Hansa Fish Canoe Marathon,which is held annually in Cradock, in the Eastern Cape, has always proved to be a popular A Grade race,with a guaranteed water release.

Canoeists flock to the Little Karoo town to enjoy the wild water obstacles, shutes built over the weirs, and mighty rapids on the fast flowing Fish River.

Suitable for novice canoeists as their first A Grade race, it is also a fabulous social away weekend for the whole family,with bands and parties,including guest entertainers who,this year,were Theuns Jordaan and Centre Stage.

The race took place over 80km,ending in the town of Cradock, on September 27 and 28.

A cold front from the Cape whipped up wind and massive waves that swamped some boats on the dam as they started towards the river, and numerous boats needed to be rescued.

Other paddlers, with later starts, were forced to portage, carrying boats down the road and up the dam wall, to the river on the other side.

Paddlers from throughout South Africa, and notably from Gauteng, as well as international paddlers from around the world converged on Cradock to enjoy the guaranteed water release.

Craig Smith, who lives just off Kraft Road, in Germiston, a member of the Florida Lake Canoe Club based in Roodepoort, due to its proximity to his work premises in Kya Sands, partnered with fellow club member Debbie Dixon to do the mighty Fish River Canoe Marathon, finishing in a time of seven hours and 22 minutes, over the two days.

The first finishers from the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, based at Germiston Lake, were, as expected, Josh Loots and partner Richard Cele, in 107th position.

Roy Clegg finished in 6 hours and 13 minutes, with a partner from the Eastern Cape, while u-23 development youths Colin Ledwaba and Katiso Hlahatsi were 153rd, in six hours, 16 minutes.