Sappi makes rapid decision to sponsor
Sappi is proud to announce that the company has signed on as the anchor sponsor of the Sappi 3338 Elands Memorial Canoe Race.
It is also a qualifying race for the Duzi Canoe Marathon. It will take place on Saturday, February 7 on the Elands River.
The race is now in its sixth year and is organised by the Lowveld Canoe Club, in memory of club member Leatitia Scheepers who drowned during a practice run in 2009. Her race number was 3338.
The race starts eight kilometres upstream west of Sappi Ngodwana Mill and ends at Lindenau Lodge near Montrose.
Spectators are encouraged to support the participants from lookout points that include the low-water bridge close to Ngodwana Mill, the bridge close to the Ngodwana shopping centre and another at Houtboschhoek. According to Lowveld Canoe Club administrator Eric Dixon, the Elands River is one of the most popular in the province. “This river is extremely important to us as paddlers as it is clean and well cared for, and it poses a mixed bag of technical challenges. The difficulty of the river changes according to the level, and at a low level novice paddlers are introduced to river paddling.
On higher levels the river becomes more and more exciting and should then only be navigated by experienced paddlers. The excellent condition of the river is a huge attraction to paddlers seeking 23 kilometres of thrilling river paddling. The race has been growing steadily and Sappi plays an enormous part in ensuring the quality of the race. They not only contribute financially, but the staff go the extra mile, helping with the clearing of the river, grading the access roads and assisting with the general race arrangements’.
The race is only open to registered CSA paddlers with a B-rating, and entries can be done on the club’s website www.lowveldcanoe.co.za. Also watch an exciting Youtube video by searching Sappi 3338 Elands.
For more information on the race contact Eric Dixton, on 082-376-9795 or email eric.dixon@lewconsulting.co.za.
