Residents of Parys have the advantage of living on the Vaal River and yet so few of our townsfolk use the river for sport and        recreation.
Paddling is a wonderful way to get fit and enjoy the beautiful river scenery. It is a fun, family-friendly activity that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The sport of paddling has many disciplines, ranging from recreational paddling using stable sit-on-top kayaks, to competitive    flat-water racing (sprint and marathon events), downriver events, whitewater kayaking, ka-yak fishing and the team sport of canoe polo.
Likkewaan Canoe Club, which is located on the Vaal River near the Parys Golf Estate, is upstream of a weir and, as a result, the club enjoys kilometres of flat-water with spectacular riverine scenery of islands and water birds.
This summer, Likkewaan Canoe Club is hosting a series of lessons to introduce adults to the sport of paddling. They have a number of sit-on-top surf skis available for new   paddlers to use.
These are comfortable kayaks that are perfect for those learning to paddle. The additional benefit of sit-on-top kayaks versus the traditional sit-in type of kayak is that if you fall off, you can just climb back on. The club also has lifejackets and paddles available for beginners to use.
The club’s beginner coach, Lee-Ann Bezuidenhout, will show you the basics like how to hold the paddle, good posture and paddle technique, as well as water-safety essentials, like how to get back on to your kayak if you fall off. By the end of two 2-hour sessions, you will have obtained your sit-on-top flat-water proficiency certification. The cost is R250 per adult. Once you have completed the flat-water proficiency and you would like to continue to paddle, consider an annual family membership for access to equipment, ongoing coaching, weekly time trials and a variety of activities – including canoe polo.
Paddling is a family-friendly activity and children are encouraged to attend the club’s children’s coaching sessions. As they gain proficiency, they are invited to participate in schools’ league events.
Please contact Lee-Ann (072 285 7470) to join the beginner paddle-coaching sessions for adults and to enquire about Likkewaan Canoe Club’s children’s programme. Likkewaan Canoe Club is on Facebook (www.facebook.com/likkewaancanoeclub).