Florida Lake Canoe Club fighting the white waters at the annual Vaal River race

Water sports are forever at the mercy of mother nature.

Gauteng’s paddlers have been feeling very despondent in recent months as numerous river races have been cancelled. Before the rains, the Vaal river was considered low and ‘bony’ with lots of rocks causing possible damage to boats. Once the rains arrived, the rivers were flooded, and paddlers waited with baited breath to see if the annual two-day Vaal River race would be able to proceed.

Receiving the green light in time, The Vaal River Marathon two-day event took place on Saturday and Sunday November 25 and 26. Paddlers fought for 30kms per day in full river conditions, with over 100 paddlers on the river during the weekend. For the less fit or more casual canoe enthusiasts, the opportunity to take advantage of the one-day race proved too good to turn down.

With the high water level it was essential to provide top quality safety support and marshals at various treacherous rapids and weirs. Florida Lake Canoe Club members signed up to assist with Craig Smith, Chantelle Fraser and Bertie Baard enjoying the roller coaster of the big white water rapids. The trio marshaled at the Shute Rapid 6kms in to the start of the race on day one.

Johannesburg Canoe Club, based in Wemmer Pan, had hosted this race annually since 1949 but the club’s decline in fortunes put the legendary icon of canoeing in Gauteng at risk. Thanks go to Emmerentia Dam’s Dabulamanzi Canoe Club who stepped up to organise sponsorship and helpers to support the original club of Johannesburg and to ensure the race would continue.