Florida Lake paddlers make the West Rand proud
Curro Aurora learners Ameerah and her sister Kamilah Hank from Florida Lake Canoe Club were among the top achievers in the junior training programme.
Saturday, 19 and 20 September saw The Gauteng Canoe Union’s Marathon Championships race hosted by Victoria Lake Canoe Club based at the Germiston Dam on the East Rand.
Paddlers from all ages starting from U/8 through to the Great Grand Masters (over 65 years) were thrilled at the opportunity to participate in the Singles (K1) and/or Doubles (K2) races after months of lockdown.
During Sunday’s race, with the warm sun pleasant and strong winds blowing huge waves over the K2 paddlers, many boats were swamped and sank, and a number of paddlers withdrew from the race.
Curro Aurora learners Ameerah and her sister Kamilah Hank from Florida Lake Canoe Club were among the top achievers in the junior training programme.
Ameerah finished first in the U/14 girls, taking one hour 19 minutes to finish her 12,5km with a couple of portages, while her older sister Kamilah in the more competitive U/16 age group finished her 15,5km course with a few portages in two hours 15 minutes to finish sixth in her age group.
The Championships are hosted with a view to selecting the team to represent Gauteng province at the upcoming South African Canoe Marathon Championships which will be held on the canals at St Francis Bay in October.
