WATCH: Young paddlers take over Florida Lake

Florida Lake was filled with paddlers of all ages during the recent instalment of the Gauteng Union School League race, which was hosted by the Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC).

Jennie Dallas, the Gauteng Canoe Union Media Liaison, explained, “The School League runs from January to November, and at each race the paddlers earn points on a sliding scale from first to last, which accumulate to a grand total for the year. The points are credited to the individual child, the club where they train, and the school they represent. At the annual prize-giving in November, they are presented with awards recognising their achievements. The children earn medals for three podium positions in each age group, which range from U/8 to 18 years, at each race as well.”

She added that the U/8 to 12-year-olds use ‘guppy’canoes, which are slower, but very stable, and said, “These canoes enable them to master the correct technique from an early age. The distances they race are also age appropriate.”

The paddlers from 12-years-old are in the U/14 age group and they use single kayaks (K1), which have a range of stability, with the least stable also being the fastest.

All paddlers participating on the day had a lot of fun on the lake and were loudly motivated by mothers, fathers, siblings and coaches, all cheering them on to ensure they gave it their best shot.

“Even though the results are not that relevant at this stage, since points are accumulated at each race during the year, I would like to mention the achievements of the two youngest (and also newest) members of FLCC. Atle Maphanga and Chané Steyn participated in their first ever race and managed to win a gold and a bronze medal in the U/8 division. They are definitely following in the footsteps of their fathers, who are both excellent paddlers and coaches at the Club,” Jennie concluded.