Rookies kick off season
It was a superbly sunny warm day as the learner paddlers took on their first race
THE BASF River Race hosted by Watuni, specifically aimed at new paddlers and novices, took place on April 16 from The Makery Restaurant grounds at Henley on Klip.
The route traversed some 15km to the Danie Maclean Park in Meyerton, a section which covers a number of challenging rapids, including a turbulent drop with powerful waves, known as Broken Weir.
Dean Conrad from Kempton Park, who had enjoyed the Fish River Marathon in October 2015, tested his river skills by starting up again at the first race of the new river race season.
He finished successfully, despite a couple of swims, in a time of 1 hour 36 minutes.
It was a sunny, warm day as the learner paddlers took on their first race, hoping to finish within the cut-off time, and add a point towards their qualification for A-grade status so they can do the mighty Fish River and Dusi river races in due course.
