Novice entrant Clinton Cook of Dabulamanzi (Dabs) ruled the tricky rapids at the 2024 TRAC Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon in a time of 01:59:19 on Sunday, October 20.

He is a current SA Canoe Marathon team member who took part in the World Champs in Croatia in September.

The challenging 30km route from the Kwena Dam outflow to Terblanche Landgoed near Old Joe’s Kaia tested the paddlers’ skills to the limit.

ALSO READ: Lowveld athletes triumph at Biathle/Triathle World Champs in Egypt

Cook was pushed all the way by former multiple Croc winner Siseko Ntondini of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) who clocked 01:59:54. Third place went to Robert Crichton of Dabs in 02:04:16. He was the first subveteran to finish.

Defending champion Amy Hulett from KZN, racing in the colours of Tuks, was one of three women to start and the only female finisher, taking the win in 02:58:11.

The TRAC Lowveld Croc is famous (or infamous) throughout the country as it has a reputation for being the most challenging river to paddle in South Africa. Although the rapids are not the biggest, they are by far the most technical. The overhanging trees and wildlife add to this experience. Racing through the rough water and tight turns, paddlers never know what might be lying just ahead.

“Although the organisers and the Lowveld Canoe Club [LCC] members go to great lengths to clear the channels, the river is constantly changing at different levels,” said Piers Cruickshanks, the head of the organising committee. “Because of the difficulty, the Croc attracts an elite field of only around 50 entrants. This year, there were 45 entrants and only 35 finishers, with quite a few paddlers damaging their equipment, resulting in leaking and being unable to continue.”

The Croc first took place in 1962 and the Lowveld Canoe Club has become legend among the South African paddling fraternity for its hospitality and organisation. “While the Lowveld Canoe Club is a small club based at Longmere Dam, the club comes together to organise a fantastic event with a distinctly Lowveld flavour. For example, each finisher received a small tree instead of a medal. Marshalls are placed at strategic points along the river to assist any paddlers in trouble,” said Cruickshanks.

He himself knows the Croc like the back of his paddle and set off 20 minutes before the start of the race with a roll of danger tape to mark any threatening obstacles that might have appeared overnight. Cruickshanks actually clocked the third-best time (01:03:54) of the day, but was not eligible for a placing.

Cruickshanks and the Lowveld Canoe Club are extremely grateful to the Ikomati-Usutu Catchment Management Agency, without which the race would not be possible. “They are hugely appreciated as they ensure a river level that is perfect for the race – not too high to be dangerous, yet high enough to be able to negotiate the rapids. They really have been awesome in the last few years,” said Cruickshanks.

“TRAC’s support over the years helps to keep a race alive. They also support a development initiative, bringing members of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club to the race. We also thank the farmers in the valley for their support and assistance in allowing us access through their properties to the river and for helping us to monitor the movements of any dangerous wildlife – particularly hippos.”

Stuart Butcher was the best of the LCC entrants, finishing 17th overall and winning the masters category in 02:34:29.

Other category winners:
• U23: Jack de Swardt (Dabs) – 02:04:23
• Veteran: Alex Roberts (Dabs) – 02:09:19
• Submaster: Mark Garden (Dabs) – 02:21:08
• U18: Dekeda Sikhanyisele (SCARC) -02:21:22
• Subgrandmaster: Rory Atteridge (Dabs) – 02:32:17
• Grandmaster: Clive Evans (Dabs) – 03:21:44.