Canoeist bags win despite winter chills
The Winter League took place from April until August with paddlers braving the cold waters and dark night in search of glory.
The Lowveld Canoe Club has for years been the beacon of water sports in the Lowveld and is continuing its proud tradition with the Winter League which has delivered a healthy dose of action, adrenalin, thrills and spills amid tough conditions.
The Winter League took place from April until August with paddlers braving the cold waters and dark night in search of glory. Trevor Smith took first place in the 2014 Winter League with 626 points, with Wikus Loots and Gustav Smook hot on his heels on 621 and 567 points respectively.
Race attendance and position counted most heavily in the points system of the league.
Smith had a 100 per cent attendance record that played a major role in him taking the honours.
“It’s a privilege to paddle and I’m grateful for this league as, if we didn’t have it, there would probably only be three or four people arriving at the dam. It motivates people and the prize money is a great incentive that contributes to our paddling expenses.
The points for attendance are most heavily weighted to ensure people turn up.
“Attendance is obviously the biggest reason why I won!” exclaimed Smith.
According to Craig Lewis, chairman of the Lowveld Canoe Club, the league is now in its third season and acts as a great motivator and challenge for paddlers to brave the elements.
“Paddling on a cold, dark winter’s night is not particularly appealing. I would like to thank Trevor Smith for all his hard work in organising, keeping stats and motivating the club. No one knows Trevor’s real age but it’s well over 60 and he gives most youngsters in the club a klap on the dam! His incredible dedication paid off with a win this year.”
Further testament to the success of this initiative is Gustav Smook’s recent medals at world championships in Oklahoma City where he secured a bronze medal in the
K1 race.
TT (time trial) attendance gets 20 points and race attendance gets 30. A person gets one point per one second improvement on their personal best times, but with a ceiling of 20 points maximum.
“The experienced paddlers battle to get points here because their times are already very good. This will, however, benefit an up-and-coming paddler,” explains Smith.
Race position points will help the stronger paddlers.
They will receive two points extra for everyone they are in front of,” he added. At the end of the day attendance was the biggest contributor.
“The biggest task was to get as many people to come on the dark, cold winter nights,” expressed Smith.
