Florida Lake Canoe Club takes on the rapids in the Free State

From the calm ripples in Florida to the white spray of the rapids in the Free State, all streams and rivers are interconnected. So too is the water-craft fraternity and the lengths they go to obtain a rush.

Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) sent their intrepid paddlers to the valleys below the Drakensberg mountains for the Standard Bank One Day Liebensbergvlei River race, Saturday 21 November. Trickling out of picturesque Clarens, the Ash River connects to the Liebensbergvlei River before ending its almost 250km journey in the Vaal Dam.

Paddlers would take on a challenging 30km strip of the Liebensbergvlei River between the Reitz water treatment centre and the sleepy town of Tweeling. “Despite the long drive to the river, it’s worthwhile as there are few rivers with exciting white water rapids to enjoy closer in Gauteng,” explained Gauteng Canoe Union media guru, Jennie Dallas.

FLCC’s rapid riders posted encouraging times, with Roodepoort resident Tristan Trican seventh in the U/23 category, clocking two hours and 17 minutes. Certified coach and safety officer, Macdonald Nkosi, was one third of a K3 trio which finished in two hours 31 minutes. Moshe Nghomani and Kobus Ellis finished 16th as a doubles pair in a time of two hours 25 minutes.

Radiokop resident Delport van Schalkwyk thoroughly enjoyed his race, the refreshing exciting wave trains, drops and rapids, as well as the fast flow of clean, clear water through the farmlands in a K1 (single kayak), finishing in three hours eight minutes, as the third Grand master age category finisher (over 65).

‘County members’ are guest members from regions without a union, so FLCC has several Rustenburg-based paddlers. “The system requires that they must belong to a club, somebody has to attend to their admin and be affiliated to Gauteng Canoe Union as well as Canoeing South Africa,” illustrated Jennie.

From novices to experts, all are given a chance to experience the thrill of the white water rapids.