Canoeing is a popular summer sport
Florida Lake is the ideal place to learn how to play canoe polo.
Comrades runners Gabriel van Wyk from Weltevreden Park and his friend Christian van Eyssen have set their sights on completing a Dusi river race. Well-known as the world’s toughest endurance event, the Dusi river race favours strong runners over canoeists.
Van Wyk and van Eyssen have been attending practice sessions at Florida Lake in Roodepoort for some months, gaining confidence, improving technique, building muscle tone and becoming fitter.
Florida Lake is the ideal place for novices to master the art of canoeing. Canoeists are partnered with experienced and trained river guide paddlers while learning the basics. This helps to reduces anxiety.
New canoeists are advised to wear light thin clothing like nylon soccer shirts, surf shorts and old thin soled sports shoes to protect feet from sharp rocks in case of a fall into the water. Hats, sunscreen and a change of clothes are also a must. Although lifejackets are provided to assist, canoeists must be able to swim in deep water.
Family members are welcome to come along to watch, picnic and take photos of the exciting activities. While refreshments will be on sale families are welcome to bring their own picnic cooler box.
Entry is on Eisteddford Street at the intersection of West Lake Road. Safe secure parking is available.
Canoeists can paddle on flat water dams and lakes in races, and many young children participate in the regular school league races. Those who are adventurous may even want to learn river skills to be able to shoot rapids.
Another activity to enjoy is canoe polo. The game, played with a ball, involves scoring goals using soccer-like techniques of tackle, defend and attack. It is a superb sport for all age groups as there is no stress on any one part of the body. Left and right side muscles are used equally and this assists in strengthening core muscles to improve posture.
In the wake of the highly successful community project at Florida Lake, the club will be hosting open canoeing sessions as an introduction to the sport, free of charge. Sessions take place throughout November on Sundays at 2 pm. Pre-arrangements would be preferred.
Details: 082-857-8571, Florida Lake Canoe Club, facebook.com/FloridaLakeCanoeClub
