South Africans made a clean-sweep of major medals over both days with local paddlers winning the overall mixed doubles, singles, U23 and junior mixed doubles titles.
The finalised programme saw the doubles race head south to Amanzimtoti, while the singles saw competitors paddle to Westbrook, about 34km north of Durban.
Australia’s Matthew Dean and Andrew Crothers are all smiles ahead of the SS2 race.Nix Birkett and Andy Birkett finished eighth in the mixed doubles race.Spain’s Walter Bouzan and Judit Verges finished in fourth place at the champs.Paddlers Lindokuhle Maphumulo, Senzo Ngobo, Siyabonga Ndlovu and Sboniso Dlamini look forward to competing in their first champs.Italian paddlers Stefano Amicucci, Riccardo Maccioccu, Giovanni Saperdi, Mariano Bifano and Gabriele Maccioccu.Daisy May Odell and Nosipho Mthembu.Durban North residents Shaun Burgin and Lance Howarth.The Byram family, Sally, Chris, Brit with Matt Carter were there just to watch.Robin Mulder and Ande Mazula.Coach Laube Zbynek with Jakub Sindel and Katerina Milova from Czechia.The Jacob family from Perth, Beau, Connor, Lafe and Nishani.Dierdre Bentley and Barry Lewin.Australia’s Tim Munro and Tim Altman were ready for the doubles race.Nacho and Effi Caceres travelled to Durban from Barcelona to support the world champs.Luke Swinney and Scott Rogers are ready to compete.Florent Thelier and Florian Revollon from Reunion.Christy Gilmour kept a close eye on the action.Paddlers line the stretch of beach at DUC before the start of the world champs. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesThe conditions for the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships SS2 race were rough and paddlers had to navigate large swells. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesMatthew Fenn and Saskia Hockly finished in a time 01:51:16 to be crowned world champs in the mixed doubles race. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesOrganiser Neels Meyer speaks to the paddlers about safety protocols before the start of the race. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesKira Bester is overcome with emotion after winning the SS1 world title. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesAustralia’s Cory Hill raises his paddle in triumph after winning the men’s SS1 race. Photo: Thuligraphy ImagesPaddlers line the stretch of beach at DUC before the start of the world champs. Photo: Thuligraphy Images
Shiraz has been a community journalist for the last 12 years and has a specific interest in everything sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts undergrad degree and honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he majored in Communications, Anthropology and English.
