UMDLOTI resident Saskia Hockly is in a team of 20 athletes representing SA at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships this weekend in La Vila Joiosa, Spain.

The South African team is loaded with current and past world champions.

Last year, Durban hosted the World Championships, where South African paddlers won five out of the nine championship races over the two days.

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In the SS2 (doubles race), Hockly was crowned world champion with her Eastern Cape paddling partner Matthew Fenn, while uMdloti’s Hamish Lovemore and his paddling partner, Jenna Nisbet from Mount Edgecombe, finished third in the race.

Led by team captain Dawid Mocke, the team is filled with youth and experience.

The senior men’s team carries an extraordinary depth of championship experience with Nicholas Notten, Kenny Rice, Uli Hart and KZN north coast paddler, Hank McGregor, who has one of the most decorated careers in South African paddle sport.

The women’s team is equally formidable.

Reigning world champion Kira Bester arrives in Spain in exceptional form and will be joined by Jade Wilson, a former U23 world champion, and Melanie van Niekerk.

Umdloti’s Hockly is a former U23 and current mixed doubles world champion, while Holly Smith is also a former mixed doubles world champion.

The SA team will face strong opposition with emerging European nations – most notably Spain, Portugal, France and Germany.

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