Canoeists conquered the Crocodile River’s rapids this weekend
The 66 canoeists from all over South Africa embraced the challenge and the Lowveld contingent kept the flag flying high.
Sixty-three canoeing enthusiasts put their boats, oars and paddling skills to the ultimate test when they took on the 52nd TRAC Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon fast-flowing rapids on Saturday. The river is widely known as a test of technical abilities and offers a number of hair-raising rapids and weirs.
On the first day, they had a go at Els’ Weir, located relatively close to the start at the Kwena Dam outflow, before taking on the more challenging rapids. The gruelling 31 kilometre course took them along Steyn’s Low Level Bridge before meandering along to O’Connor’s Corner, Pipe Bridge and Lionel’s Rapid and on to Carrisbrook Rapid, before the finish at Weltevreden Bridge.
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The second day was just as challenging for the paddlers, who wound their way from the previous day’s finish line along several bridges, including Loxley, Arthur’s Seat and Crocgrove, before making their way to Poplar Creek and on to the finish at Montrose Falls.
The race was sponsored by Trans-African Concessions (TRAC), which manages the N4 toll route. TRAC spokesman, Solange Soares, said, “Because the race runs along Schoemanskloof, it makes sense to sponsor a sport which is along our route. It has a very good development plan for formerly disadvantaged canoeists, notably the Soweto Canoe Club, which has a number of entrants in the race.
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“This gives TRAC a primary, hands-on role, because we are able to to assist with the development of canoeing as a sport.”
After two days of demanding racing and pitting their mental and physical strength against the strong river currents and the breakneck speeds of the rapids, the canoeists put in considerable effort to claim the title.
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Submaster Piers Cruickshank paddled to victory in a time of 02:00:39, followed closely by Siseko Ntondini in 02:01:51. Senior, Richard Cele, was hot on their heels and finished third in a time of 02:02:14. Phinias Zulu, in the senior category, took fifth place in 02:03:33 and u/23 Siyabinga Tiyki put on a remarkable performance, finishing fifth in 02:04:39.
To view the results, visit www. lowveldcanoe.co.za.
