Paddlers faced the Sasol Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon, which took place from Kwena Dam, Mpumalanga, and finished 30km downriver, towards Nelspruit, on October 25 and 26.
Uwe Schmidt, a member of the Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC), was one of the numerous brave paddlers to take on the daunting challenge and treacherous rapids, finishing the race successfully in a time of five hours and nine minutes, despite repairs involving duct tape over the nose of the boat.
Two days, covering 30km, with many boats held together by rolls of duct tape after sustaining damage, attracted those who are getting bored with the usual river races, which are C, B and A grade.
The boats sustained damage while being pounded in the intense, fast flowing boulder-strewn rapids, requiring intense concentration, focus and good river knowledge.
Gauteng canoeists with excellent river skills and ability, who are looking for a different, more exciting and technical type of challenge, always look forward to the challenge of the A+ grade rated race.
There are only three official A+ grade river races in South Africa and participants are required to have a minimum of three successful A grade race qualification, in order to participate in these races, which also require the compulsory wearing of helmets.
The Crocodile River is so named because it is home to crocodiles in the Kruger Park area, while hippos roam its upper regions.
Last year the farmers stocked up on lucerne to attract the hippos and kept them fenced in, but the paddlers still discovered a couple in the pool on the lower stretch of the river, hence the decision to remain above the more serious waterfalls, in the mountainous, beautiful region.
