FLCC paddlers take on the youngsters in 9-Miler race
Paddler duo keep club's name high
Two paddlers from the Florida Lake Canoe Club clinched a second spot in the Veterans category at the Centurion 9 Miler flat-water race at the end of July.
Shaun Maphanga and Douw Kruger finished the race at Rietvlei Dam in one hour and 29 minutes.
The winners of the doubles (K2) event were the U/18 Sowetan crew, consisting of Sibusiso Chwayi and Zanenthlantla Mbala, who received everything they needed for this race from their sponsors and train at Emmarentia Dam. They finished in a time of one hour and 22 minutes, with the Master Centurion-based paddlers, the traditional winners of the event, finishing a split second behind in a very close finish.
It was the young development paddlers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who achieved the best results at the 9-Miler race over a distance of 18km. The weather conditions at the beautiful dam, surrounded by a nature reserve, were absolutely perfect with glorious sunshine and hardly a breath of wind.
“The conditions were not what paddlers expected from this tail-end of winter race, as they are used to huddling around a roaring fire before the event, and wear face protection against the strong winds, water spray and huge rolling waves across the dam. The sponsors, Tyre Mart and Spar, provided the paddlers with face and ear protection buffs, and served up delicious boerewors rolls after the race to warm them up, even though they were hardly needed, given the glorious day,” said Jennie Dallas the Gauteng Canoe Union public relations officer.
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