Masters of the Vaal

The Vaal River SA K2 Championships doubles canoe race was won by the very best South African canoeists, with international recognition and acclaim.

The 80km race started on Saturday 2 November below the Vaal Dam Wall. Teams started below the Vaal River Barrage to end upriver from Parys, at Smiling Thru holiday resort the next day.

Local canoeists were keen to enjoy the opportunity of racing with top internationally recognized paddlers and South Africa’s very best.

“With such a strong field to compete against, hopes of a podium position were limited,” Jenny Dallas of the Gauteng Canoe Union said.

Jacques Theron, formerly Parkmore resident now relocated to Midlands finished in 4th place, while his wife Jen Theron former Olympic sprint champion won the mixed doubles category with their respective Natal based partners, and Piers Cruickhanks, a teacher at Kingsmead College in Melrose finished 6th with Sowetan partner Siseko Ntondini. Colin Wilson and Bradley Fisher from Rosebank won the Sub Master age Category podium position finishing as the 21st K2, in a time of 5 hours 2 minutes.

Bryan Slater with partner Tony Purchase who are also members of the local Emmarentia Dam canoe club, Dabulamanzi , won the Master age category finishing in 5 hours 30 minutes, as the 48th boat to cross the finish line.

Hank McGregor, the World Marathon Champion of 2013 took the gold having achieved every other canoeing title in South Africa for marathons, sprints, surfski, with partner Jasper Mocke, broke away from the front bunch, after the Benoude Boude rapid on the final stage, despite never having been in a boat together before.

It was a fast-paced and star-studded race with other internationally recognised names like Len Jenkins, Greg Louw, Cam Schoeman as well as local Dusi podium winners Andy Birkett and Sibonelo Zondi at the race, as well as top ladies Abby Adie, and Olympic Bronze Medallist Bridget Hartley with Hilary Pitchford.