Local paddlers excel at Gauteng Marathon Champs
CRAIGHALL PARK – While the K1 event was called off due to lightening and heavy rain, the K2 event went ahead the following day.
Local paddlers took part in the Gauteng Marathon Championships hosted at Victoria Lake Canoe Club at Germiston Lake on 8 and 9 May.
Jennie Dallas of the Gauteng Canoe Union said the K1 (single kayak) event on 8 May was rained out with lightening sirens forcing paddlers to withdraw from the race. However, the K2 (doubles) event on 9 May went ahead as scheduled.
The K2 paddlers partnered up to race the 21km event, getting out of the water every few laps to run a short distance with their boat for portage.
Portages are part of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) requirement, with a smooth, efficient take-out and put-in being crucial to save time at the event.
Craighall Park resident Luke Salmon partnered with Connor Erwee to be the first U23 men to finish the event at 01:40:00.
King Edward VII School learner and Rosebank resident Harry Edgar partnered with Nicholas Erwee to finish as the second U18 men in 01:45:00.
Locals Caroline Henderson and Jennifer Niksch were the first Masters age group women to finish in a time of 01:58:00.
The team to represent Gauteng in the South African Marathon Championships to be hosted in the Western Cape from 20 to 23 May, was selected from the race results at this event.
A number of paddlers were also preparing to participate in the 2021 ICF World Marathon Championships/Masters at the end of September in Romania, with many hoping to wear SA colours as official representatives at the event.
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