Franz Lottering (57) shredded the 70km JCC Vaal River race

Lottering aced the challenge competing in the second Sub Grand Master age category, finishing in six hours and 58 minutes.

January 12, 2021

Heleen Rossouw 1 minute read

Chasing the daunting two-day 70km JCC Vaal River race in his red cap, Franz Lottering (57) aced the competition by finishing the race in just under seven hours after turbulent challenges faced by 30 per cent dam levels.

Ripping through rapids in a two-day 70km river race, Franz Lottering (57) was among the successful finishers of both days, defeating the JCC Vaal Race in six hours and 58 minutes.

With a member of the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club based at Homestead Dam, Lottering aced the challenge competing in the second Sub Grand Master age category between December 5 and 6.

“A number of paddlers from throughout Gauteng were able to finish the tough JCC two-day Vaal River race,” said Jennie Dallas, Gauteng Canoe Union’s spokesperson.

“The race started at the Vaal Dam sluice gates which encompasses eight kilometres of rapids, including Kloppers, a weir, the ‘shute’ and Visgat which is a quaking rapid with a few treacherous channels between rocky islands.”

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After that, she added, it is plain and flat hard work and slog apart from Benoude Boude, which harboured more daunting rocks and rapids followed by Goosebay Weir.

Another 36km later at the Three Rivers Riverfront Estate, day one of the race wrapped up. Day two started at Eden Manor below the Barrage and finished 34km later at Smiling Thru in Parys.

“With the water levels at the Vaal Dam being just above 30 per cent, no water release was available to ease the journey and the paddlers got stuck on sandbanks and flat rocks frequently resulting in wading ankles amid deep water.

“But since some of these paddlers are likely training for the Dusi, the portaging option of carrying the boat was a good drill opportunity anyway,” Dallas cheered.

However, with lockdown sporting restrictions – numerous canoe racing events were cancelled or postponed. With the upcoming Dusi set to float at the end of February 2021, training and race points such as the Vaal are vital to river canoeists.

“The Dusi is the world’s toughest known canoe endurance marathon that ranges throughout the country, and this race geared paddlers to prepare and build stamina and strength leading up to the event.”

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