Proud ending for canoeing season

Dabulamanzi Canoe Club ended its canoeing season on a high note after recording an overwhelming number of participants in the Novice Time Trial challenge on 8 December.

About 170 paddlers embarked on a 7km challenge which was designed to train young canoeists and prepare professionals for upcoming big events.

Dabulamanzi committee member, Steve Jourdan, better known as ‘Stevovo’, praised each and every participant for rising to the occasion. “We have an unbelievable turnout which is fantastic for our sport. Today, amateur paddlers get to paddle with our pro paddlers to give them the needed experience and courage to pursue the sport,” he said.

The event was open to all clubs in Gauteng. The amazing turnout was mostly the result of entries from the Soweto Canoe Club and Dabulamanzi, which has over 1 000 members.

Accomplished canoeist, Russell Willis dared his wife, Tarryn, who was a first-time paddler, to embark on the challenge. Willis gave her basic training before hitting the water. “I’m at a stage where I’m no longer doing it for competition. I’m here to prepare my wife to be a professional in hope of paddling together in big events such as the Duzi Canoe Marathon in Pietermaritzburg and Fish River Canoe Marathon in the Eastern Cape,” Russell said.

Tarryn said she was excited to join her husband in yet another sporting activity. “It was exciting to paddle with him because we enjoy cycling together.” She added that she saw the opportunity as a way to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Other first-time paddlers were Dylan (11) and Kaylen (9) Lubbe from Carltonville. The big-dreaming siblings could not wait to enjoy themselves and share the fun with their friends. “We are extremely excited. We are not scared of the water because we have learned to swim. We love the sport and we hope to grow up and be the best in it,” said Dylan.

Jason Brown, the Dabulamanzi club manager, discussed the importance of the challenge and requirements to pursue the sport. “The Novice Time Trial, which is normally 10km, is to give exposure to first-time paddlers and encouragement to try the sport. This particular sport has no shortcuts, unlike other sports,” said Brown.

He emphasised that canoeing requires dedication and perseverance. He also mentioned that in order to be good at it and maintain good balance, an enthusiast has to spend time on the canoe, training.

Dabulamanzi means the spear that pierces through the water. The club was established 35 years ago and was named after famous Zulu prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande, brother of King Cetshwayo kaMpande who led the Zulu attack on Rorke’s Drift in 1879.