Locals take on the Crocodile River
WELTEVREDEN PARK – Weltevreden Park resident Jerome Boulle with partner Byron Sadler finished in a time of 05:27:00.
Gauteng paddlers were thrilled to have top South African paddlers to race with on our local river preparing for the upcoming FNB Dusi endurance event in February.
World marathon champions, World surfski champion, multiple Dusi winners and South African title holders: Hank McGregor, Jasper Mocke, Andy Birkett, and Lance Kime were a great drawcard to the local river race as the Euro Steel team. The Euro Steel CEO, Colin Wilson also participated in the race to enjoy the vibrant excitement and fantastic water level.
The Euro Steel Crocodile River race hosted by Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, took place from Heron Bridge Farm through the Lanseria area on the Jukskei River, on 16 and 17 January. The water level was superb after rains stopped cricket in Wanderers on the Friday night, and the run off from the East Rand stormed into the water systems, while there was also good high level of water down the Hennops after the confluence of the Crocodile River, to fill the river nicely as it poured itself into Hartebeespoort Dam.
Local Roodepoort based paddlers from the Florida Lake Canoe Club enjoyed the opportunity to train for the Dusi on this highly technical and demanding river so similar in its nature, with scattered boulders and S-bend rapids, as well as mighty wave trains. Paddling 35km on the first day, and 16km on the second day, as well as 8km of portaging, the paddlers became runners, carrying their boats up gruelling hills and across the fields of the Kentucky Polo Crosse farm while catching glimpses of buck and zebra from time to time – paddlers were well-tested for an endurance marathon event.
While a number of paddlers withdrew after the first day due to boat damage in the fast flowing river, finishers from the Weltevreden Park area included Jerome Boulle with partner Byron Sadler who finished in a time of 05: 27: 00.
