THE first early river races for the new season were hosted by Victoria Lake Canoe Club on June 3.
The races covered a distance of some 30km, with a number of serious rapids and technically difficult sections of river, from Daleside, on the Klip River, to Meyerton.
The race was held to assist novice paddlers with their first river races. Experienced paddlers were encouraged to partner with them for the first few races of winter, to help them find their river feet.
The winners received a specially designed cake, which they enjoyed eating.
Phillipa Phelps from the Johannesburg Canoe Club, based in the South at Wemmer Pan, has spent the past couple of years partnering with her highly experienced river-paddling father, Anthony, in a K2, which takes two paddlers. They have partnered in doubles and K3’s (treble person kayaks).
Although she has not done that much steering from the front, she did not hesitate to partner with Daniel Pitman, a new learner paddler who is attempting his first river race season.
The two did magnificently well, sailing through some of the difficult rapids on the stretch to finish in 2:48 as the third mixed double.
Her father and his partners in a boat finished just minutes ahead. There is no doubt that the more experienced paddlers in that boat led the way through the rapids, to show the best lines, and stayed close in case the novices needed some assistance.
Well done to the JCC – the Johannesburg Canoe Club, for helping new paddlers get involved in river racing.
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