Paddlers introduce river canoeing to young girls
The day introductory day was held at Erasmia and saw paddlers from our local club head out to a different community to educate others.
A few Dabulamanzi Canoe Club members were recently part of an all-female group of coaches that headed to Erasmia where an introductory session to canoeing was held for some of that community’s aspirant female paddlers.
One local paddler, Karen Field stepped up to the plate and provided the opportunity for these girls and ladies to enjoy the opportunity to learn to canoe at the dam. The whole outreach had Benoni East Rand canoeist, Bianca Grabe, be actively involved in helping beginners to learn and with organising introductions to river canoeing.
“We had loads of fun and as it was most who had their first time in a canoe – it was priceless to share the experience with them. Many are looking forward to learning more and training to take up paddling as a sport in the future. We did a few basics on paddling setup, safety, water flows, rivers, and knowing everyone is between swims which is a part of the sport,” said Grabe.
To have such a day be a reality to these young paddlers, an outreach group from Erasmia is said to have reached out to the Gauteng Canoe Union for assistance in hosting this introduction session with only female coaches, for the ladies of Erasmia which was hosted late last year. Only learners who have swim proficiency can participate in water sports through the Gauteng Canoe Union rules for safety.
Members of the community had been working hard to arrange interesting activities for the youth in the community including inviting canoeing clubs, scouts, and football clubs to arrange a variety of interesting fun days for the community.
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