A number of Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) paddlers participated in this year’s FNB Dusi marathon and managed to complete the race.
Shaun Maphanga has been one of FLCC’s top paddlers for some years now, and in between maintaining the grounds, fulfilling his duties as club grounds manager, repairing boats and assisting with coaching, he has also managed to clinch a second podium finish together with his partner from Emmarentia Dam, Alex Roberts. “Even though Shaun is in his 40th year, he competed in the Sub Veteran category, which is for paddlers aged between 35- and 39-years-old. The duo finished the race in nine hours and 41 minutes, securing a 29th place. They also qualified for the silver medal that is awarded to the Top 50 finishers,” said Jennie Dallas from FLCC.
This year’s race was quite tough, as the water levels were still low and there was quite a bit of getting stuck on rocks in certain sections, which increased the portaging requirement (carrying the boat and walking/ running). The paddlers were thoroughly tested, and had to complete the 120km in extremely overcast, hot and humid conditions.
Other FLCC members who also finished the race include Douw Kruger and Melusi Nxumalo (12 hours 35 minutes), Brett Gosling (13 hours 58 minutes), Dekker Erasmus and Tristan Trican (14 hours 47 minutes), Sean Jones and Kevin Atkinson (15 hours and 50 minutes), Stefan Rautenbach and Ilze van Rensburg (16 hours 26 minutes), Abel Rudman (17 hours and 12 minutes), Patrick Thomas and Macdonald Nkosi (20 hours 39 minutes).
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