Young canoeists excel
Local junior canoeists were recently rewarded for their achievements over the past year in the Gauteng Canoe Union School League.
The Gauteng Canoe Union School League hosted their final race of 2013 at Florida Lake in Roodepoort recently.
The conditions were challenging, with gusty winds and waves crashing over the boats. With over 100 paddlers participating throughout the year, the Gauteng School League has grown exponentially and races have been hosted on a monthly basis at various lakes and dams throughout the region to offer the young canoeists growth and competitive opportunities.
Points, which accumulate over the year and are credited to the school represented, are allocated for each finisher on a sliding scale in each age group for both male and female paddlers. The Centurion Canoe Club finished fourth overall with 13 clubs in the league, and Doxa Deo Silver Lakes tied with Laerskool Garsfontein, earning 353 points to take the fourth position on the primary school log of 40 schools, while Centurion Hoërskool earned fourth place among the 42 high schools represented.
Anya Botes from Hoërskool Centurion was undoubtedly the star of the school league, winning not only her age category (u.16), but also the top female of the year award. She also received the award for the most improved female paddler and a trophy for 100% attendance.
In the u.8 category, young Kara du Preez from Laerskool Garsfontein won her age group as well as top girl in the u.8 to u.12 category known as the ‘guppies’.
Mila Kruger from Doxa Deo Silver Lakes was second in this age group. Rhevan Kruger (Doxa Deo Silver Lakes) and Inus du Preez (Laerskool Garsfontein), who have been competing in the u.10 age category, were the second and third place winners overall for the year. Their accumulated points throughout the year put their schools and club at the top of the log.
