Grand masters win gold in race on Kliprivier
Canoeing as a sport is very gentle on old tired muscles and bone structures
KEMPTONIAN John Rowan and his partner from Johannesburg won the grand master category in a 22km race hosted by Florida Lake Canoe Club on May 24.
Rowan, a member of East Rand Kayak Club in Benoni, and Keith Beeston of Johannesburg Canoe Club, completed the race in one hour and 55 minutes.
The race took place on the Kliprivier from Meyerton to Three Rivers.
More than 100 paddlers enjoyed the mild autumn early morning chill as the day warmed to normal Gauteng highveld temperatures, many gaining experience on rivers and earning points towards A grade status to be able to compete in their first A grade river race, the Fish River Marathon, in October.
While there are a number of young learner athletes who may be daunted at the prospect of plunging down rivers and through rapids in fast flowing water, the older experienced paddlers show no such hesitancy.
In fact, the older generation of canoeists never cease to amaze with their exceptionally high standards of fitness, as well as their very experienced river knowledge.
Canoeing as a sport is very gentle on old tired muscles and bone structures, and paddlers find they can continue their sport late into their 70s, unlike running.
