Paddling duo heads to Hungary
Local sprint canoeing duo will be representing SA at the U23 World Championships in Hungary.
training for the championships at
Shongweni Dam. PHOTO: Catherine Slabbert
LOCAL duo Calven Clack and Cameron Hudson have been selected to represent South Africa at the U23 World Championships in Szeged, Hungary from Sunday 20 July to Saturday, 26 July.
Clack, a Westville Varsity College student, and his partner, Hudson, a matric pupil at Glenwood High School, will be competing in the K2- 200m sprint canoeing event. The pair earned third place, in a qualifying time of 34:05, at the South African Sprint Championships in April.
According to Clack, who is completing his diploma in sports management and development, sprint canoeing requires a lot of training and dedication.
“The 200m sprint is a very technical race that involves a great deal of strength,” said Clack.
In preparation for the championship, Hudson and Clack train 10 times a week, both on the water, either at the harbour or Shongweni Dam, and at the gym.
Their coach, Neil Evans, a Glenwood High School teacher, introduced the dedicated athletes to the sport and has taken them under his wing.
Clack said he was very passionate about the sport and has decided to focus on the one discipline.
“In order to achieve the best you have to shift your focus to that one discipline. It is a little time consuming, but I do enjoy it. It provides a good balance between fitness and studying,” said Clack.
