Final race before Dusi Marathon
Florida Canoe Club duo did well at the last river race before the Dusi Canoe Marathon.
The Two Day Klip River race this weekend (30 and 31 January) was the last river race in Gauteng prior to the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.
This was an important training opportunity to provide a tough challenge which has demanding and exhausting technical stretches.
“There were numerous obstacles to climb in and out or around, some awesome rapids with massive stopper waves and huge drops and holes that swallowed paddlers whole as well as long distance and flat gruelling slog,” said Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas.
A number of paddlers from Mpumalanga, Natal and the Cape participated in the event as their own rivers have been dry due to drought conditions.
“The Lucozade caps came in handy as many paddlers lost theirs in huge waves on the first day, while the ice cold refreshing drinks were very welcome at the end of the long hardworking 36 kms each day in hot conditions,” said Dallas.
Kia/Hyundai Fourways provided a bus for transport of the paddlers to the start after leaving their cars at the finish.
They also assisted with marshalling and directional advice for the paddlers and runners through sections where the river was too dangerous due to fallen trees after recent storms and flooding.
Despite the rough and turbulent waters, numerous obstacles and long distance, the Florida Lake Canoe Club paddlers Shaun Maphanga and Melusi Nxumalo maintained their second place position throughout the two days of racing, to finish in a time of 5:4.
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