The Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) hosted the novice beginner race in the early part of the canoe river race season, on May 24.
The members of the club were required to marshal and assist, even though they were also able to do the 16km river stretch.
Germiston’s 13-year-old Jaime Wellisch, from St Catherine’s School partnered up with Colin Ledwaba, one of the club’s top 18-year-old paddlers and a pupil at Germiston High School.
Finishing with the back markers as Ledwaba monitored any novice racers at the back of the race, who might need assistance/guidance or directional advice, during the race.
Nevertheless, Wellisch received her Grading Point for participation on the river and has two points towards her A Grade river rating.
Wellisch is thoroughly enjoying her canoeing experience.
Having started learning to canoe and participating first in School League races, within months Wellisch has moved up to completing her first 14km marathon race event on May 10, at Homestead Dam, in Benoni.
It was also in Benoni that Wellisch finished as the second u-14 female.
Among other achievements, the youngster has also obtained her river proficiency, a licence to participate in river races.
In view of her tender age, as well as her very slight, small build, the requirement is that she must double up, with an adult, at official river races until her 14th birthday.
The young paddler is on a permanent high, enjoying her adventure as she gains experience, builds strength and learns rivers.
Her first river race was the 16km Klip River race, hosted by Florida Lake Canoe Club, on May 18, where she partnered with Brandon Little, a young u-23 coach at the VLC.
The pair finished the race in one hour, 55 minutes, as the fourth mixed double male-female combination.
The VLC novice race also presented a fabulous cake to the first novice finisher, Conrad Beukes, from North West University in Potchefstroom, baked by Nicola’s Cakes, a restaurant based at the clubhouse.
