Resident takes on big Free State river race

Kobus Ellis, a resident of Rangeview was one of many eager and brave canoeists to take on the Standard Bank One Day Liebensbergvlei River race in the Free State on Saturday, 21 November.

His partner was Moshe Nghomani and the pair finished as the 16th doubles finishers in a time of two hours 25 minutes.

According to Jennie Dallas, Gauteng Canoe Union spokesperson, the Standard Bank One Day Liebensbergvlei River race started below the Reitz water treatment centre where a huge weir contains much of the flow and releases as required. It finished in Tweeling – a distance of some 33km to the Zorgvliet farm.

She said the Liebensbergvlei river flows towards Frankfort and ultimately empties into the Vaal Dam. The water originates in the Ash River in Clarens, where it is pumped from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, so often it is chilly with melted snow!

“Despite the long drive to the river, it’s worthwhile for Joburgers as there are few rivers with exciting white-water rapids to enjoy closer. A number of Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) paddlers enjoyed the wave trains, rapids and fast flow of clean clear water through the farmlands of the Free State.”

She said there were also a number of Rustenburg-based paddlers who finished the enjoyable opportunity as country members of FLCC as there is no club available in their area to join. The system requires that participants belong to a club, somebody has to attend to their admin and that they be affiliated to Gauteng Canoe Union as well as Canoeing South Africa, which is done through FLCC based in Roodepoort.

“Our club also provides regular opportunities for them to receive coaching, learn technique, gain river knowledge and be introduced to river paddling, and get proficiency certification – a safety requirement in order to participate in races. For some, it was their first river race and very exciting as well as enjoyable, as they were well prepared and competent.”