Randburg paddlers score at 2025 Canoe Polo South African Championships
Local paddlers, Zoë Stefanic and Nicholas Rens, were part of the Gauteng teams that performed well at the Canoe Polo South African Championships
Randburg paddlers were part of the Gauteng teams that participated in the 2025 Canoe Polo South African Championships, hosted at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club at Emmarentia Dam.
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A total of 17 teams, consisting of 90 athletes, representing Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, competed in the event for national titles. Gauteng performed very well, achieving first place in four of the championship categories – senior men, women, U21 men, and U16s. The senior men’s team walked away with first place for the fifth year in a row.
The Gauteng teams consisted of a combination of players from Dabulamanzi Canoe Club in Emmarentia, East Rand Kayak Club in Benoni, Likkewaan Canoe Club in Parys, and Northwest University Canoe Club in Potchefstroom.
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Linden based Zoë Stefanic, a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Randburg, explained that the component she enjoys most about the event was the teamwork. “Canoe polo makes me feel great about myself, and all the people involved are amazing. I am very proud of myself for earning a gold medal as a member of the Gauteng women U21 A team, after less than two years of playing.”
Nicholas Rens, from Blairgowrie, started playing canoe polo six months ago, and was thrilled to be part of the U16 boy’s team. He said he enjoys the game because it involves different disciplines – both ball sport and paddling.
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