Support for paddlers awarded

FLORIDA Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) hosted its annual awards prize-giving event on March 14 for paddlers and their achievements during the canoe racing year which started on April 1, 2017, and ended in March this year.

The highlight of the year is the rainy season when, from December to February, rivers are frequently flooded creating exciting adventure challenges.

Among the club members who were recognised for their contribution was Cheryl Smith from Alberton who is married to an FLCC canoeist, who has been extremely helpful throughout the year as the Best Seconder.

Seconders are vitally important as paddlers need people to drive their cars and lift them to the start of the races so they can paddle to the finish.

The finish line is always many kilometres away and paddlers can’t get back to the vehicles if these are left at the starting point. Assisting with support such as meals, drinks, picking up stranded paddlers who have broken their boats, for example, Cheryl has become quite a reliable fixture on the Klip River races.

The club members desperately depend on seconders, who are willing to assist them and the award is considered a great honour of respect to those who go out of their way to help the paddlers.

Non-paddlers are frequently recognised for their contribution to the sport including the rescue award which was presented to Stefan Rautenbach for a lifesaving situation on the Dusi last month but has previously been awarded to seconders who rushed to assist paddlers in danger as well.

The trophies were designed and handcrafted by Raymond Oliver from Alberton.

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