Junior paddlers learn river skills
FLCC safety officers joined a group of learner paddlers on the Vaal River to support, assist, and offer safety advice – specifically to new young paddlers keen to take on new challenges.
On September 9, Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) safety officers accompanied learner paddlers on the Vaal River to support and provide safety advice to 13-year-old paddlers eager to take on new challenges.
FLCC is known for supporting river races and has facilitated many river introduction sessions which saw junior paddlers being introduced to new river skills.
David Marais and Jamie Grantham were introduced to the river in a double boat while coach and teacher Daniel Mclachlan appreciated the support and assistance for his new learners. The Liebensbergvlei river race, spanning 34km from Reitz to Twee-ling, involves paddlers enduring sprint races, including 200m to 1 000m sprints and a 5 000m long distance. The requirement for river paddling is competency in a boat on flat water – a dam or lake for example, and the paddler must be confident to race in a group, turn corners competently, and be a competent swimmer, able to retrieve themselves and their boat and paddle to the bank after a swim.
Jennie Dallas, a certified canoe coach and Safety Officer for Gauteng Canoe Union and Canoeing South Africa, and her partner Bertie Baard have extensive river experience.
“Winter focused on marathon racing, 20km long races with short portage, where paddlers run or walk before returning to the water without falling,” Jennie said.
Right boat: Bertie Baard with Jamie Grantham.
Paddlers enjoy river racing during heavy rainfall season, participating in multi-day events in Cradock, Orange River, and Dusi River, with the experience and ability required.
Several paddlers in the Gauteng area were excitedly looking forward to the upcoming river paddling season which kicked off with a race this past weekend.
