Florida’s Maphanga shines at Vaal Marathon
Shaun is still unbeatable in this race
Florida Lake Canoe Club’s (FLCC) Shaun Maphanga recently showed why he is the West Rand’s top achieving paddler.
Shaun, who has won a number of silver medals and podium positions at the Dusi Marathon, participated in the Vaal River Marathon. This is a tough, two-day, 70km challenge, and paddlers had to work very hard to navigate their way through a low, shallow river that was sluggish and offered a lot of resistance.
The 69th running of the marathon was hosted by the Johannesburg Canoe Club. Because of the recent drought, as well as water conservation during the winter season, no water release was provided, and paddlers found themselves stuck on flat rocks from time to time, but there were still a few tricky rapids and huge waves in some sections, which added to the excitement of the race.
The first day of the marathon started from the dam wall and finished in Three Rivers on the Klip River, 36 kms later. Day 2 started below the Barrage, at Côte de Val, and finished 34kms later, at Smilin’ Thru, just before Parys.
Shaun finished the race in a time of two hours and 57 minutes, and once again stepped onto the second place podium in the Veteran age category. He was the fifth K1 (single kayak) finisher, resulting in him upholding his unbeatable record at this race.
Jennie Dallas, the Gauteng Canoe Union Public Relations Officer, said, “The low, slow and sluggish conditions of the river provide an excellent opportunity for training and improves the paddlers’ stamina and endurance for the long distances coming up in the canoeing calendar. It is the best time for beginners to learn, when the water is slow and manageable, ensuring that they would be ready to enjoy the mighty wave trains and huge rapids when the rivers are pumping after the summer rains”.
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