Young Sowetan tames Crocodile River

A youngster from Soweto claimed victory in one of the toughest canoe marathons in the country over the weekend.

Hosted by Lowveld Canoe Club (LCC), Saturday and Sunday was the 53rd instalment of the N4 Trac Lowveld Crocodile River Race.

Competing in the u/23 category, Siseko Ntondini of Soweto Canoe Club was victorious in a combined time of 4:00:13 over the two days.

It is quite a feat, given that the Lowveld Croc is regarded as one of the most technically challenging races in the country.

Like the Umkomaas, the Crocodile River carries an AR rating by Canoeing South Africa, just below the X classification which sometimes requires paddlers to go down waterfalls.

Paddlers need to be experienced and have substantial handling skills as the route is technically difficult and potentially dangerous in places.

High-grade rapids at Gundu’s Weir, Number 14, serious waterflows at Carisbrook Rapid, and rapids with difficult lines like O’Connors Corner have ensured the Lowveld Croc’s cult status among the regulars for the addictiveness of the fast-flowing, narrow and pristine downhill river.

This year, a total of 92 entrants started on day one, with 14 canoes not finishing, mostly due to breakage.

“It is small and very technical,” explains Bruce Templeton of LCC.

On both days paddlers started just below Kwena Dam near Lydenburg and finished about 29 kilometres farther at Old Joe’s Kaya on Schoemanskloof.

In the past, the second day took them from Weltevreden Bridge, down to Montrose Falls where the kloof road meets the N4, it has been changed to avoid the large number of hippo’s who have made the pools in the lower section of the Crocodile River their home.

Ntondini was just over a minute faster than eight time former champion Ant Stott from Natal Canoe Club who came in second in an overall time of 4:01:33. Also from Soweto, Phineas Zulu placed overall third with 2:32.27.

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Veteran paddler Piers Cruickshanks from Dabulamanzi was just two seconds shy of catching Ntondini on the first day, and finished overall fourth in a total time of 3:10.52.

Submaster Gustav Smook was the fastest Lowvelder. His total of 4:13:21 earned him fifth place.

Alex Roberts from Dabulamanzi placed sixth in 4:16:41 with Natal Canoe Club’s Carl Folscher breathing down his neck to claim seventh place in 4:16:42.

Victoria Lake’s Richard Cele’s 4:17:58 was enough to earn him eighth position. The Lowveld’s Gerhard Steyn, a grand master placed eight in a time of 4:30:54.

Also from LCC, subveteran Anthony Baird came in ninth with 4:32:55.

Only three women, all from KwaZulu-Natal, braved the rapids this year. Dabulamanzi’s Janet Bartlet fininshed first in a time of 5:58:05 with fellow club member Alexandra Jensen coming in second with 6:04:12. Fezela’s Ronel Steven was the third woman finisher in a time of 6:43:26.

Interestingly, Phil de Graaf from Dabulamanzi Canoe Club participated in a sit on top surfski boat, and managed a finish of 59th place overall.

Craig Lewis, chairman of LCC, says the highlight of the highlight of the prize giving was the awarding of the Gundu Floating Trophy for the first novice home.

This year Cele took the honours for his incredible Top 10 finish.

The trophy is named after Mike “Gundu” Hay. He passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon at the age of 87, and a moment of silence was observed for him during the ceremony.

“Gundu was an absolute legend in canoeing and running circles and gave an incredible amount to this race,” Lewis says.

“He treated every paddler as a son and will be sorely missed by all.”

• See more pictures of the N4 Trac Lowveld Crocodile River Race 2015 here.

Other results by category:
Open
1. Phineas Zulu Soweto 4:02:32
2. Alex Roberts Dabulamanzi 4:16:41
3. Carl Folscher Natal 4:16:42

Sub Veteran
1. Ant Stott Natal 4:01:33
2. Anthony Baird Lowveld4:32:55
3. Kelvin Byres Dabulamanzi 4:35:05

Veteran
1. Piers Cruickshanks Dabulamanzi 4:03:10
2. James Clowes Fezela 4:39:26
3. Nicholas Warren Dabulamanzi 4:47:17

Senior
1. Gustav Smook Lowveld 4:13:21
2. Wihan Venter Lowveld 4:46:02

Sub Grand Master
1. Gerhard Steyn Lowveld 4:30:54
2. Jim Davies Dabulamanzi 4:47:18
3. Meyer Steyn Dabulamanzi 4:49:25.

Master
1. Peter Geach Dabulamanzi 4:53:54.30

Grand Master
1. Peter O’Connor Dabulamanzi 4:57:45.07.