PADDLING: Soweto Canoe Club shines

WATER SPORTS

Words: Steve Jourdan ǀ Photos: Show Me Nelspruit, www.ShowMeNelspruit.co.za

Soweto Canoe Club shines

Yanga Mphalala from SCARC who broke his boat on the first day and couldn’t finish.

The Crocodile River, which flows through Mpumalanga from Kwena Dam to Montrose Falls, was

the venue for this year's Sasol Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon, held on 12 and 13 October 2013. The 57 km, two-day race is reputed to be the most technically demanding kayak river marathon in the world.

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This international A+ grade race attracts the cream of local and international canoeists year

after year, resulting in the marathon developing a cult status amongst its regular participants.

Also at this year's event was the Soweto Canoe Club, taking part for the first time. The Soweto Club was not a total stranger to the Croc River, as a team of eight participated in the 2013 Gauteng K1 Kayak River Championships for the first time. Their participation was made possible by the on-going support of their sponsors ADreach, Yum Yum, HSE Solutions, and Business Connexion.

On the first day of the marathon, Hank McGregor, the World Marathon Champion, led from start to finish (this was Hank's first time at this event). He was followed by the international Australian river specialist Josh Kippen, Jacque Theron, and Mark Smith, as well as Loveday Zondi and Siseko Ntondini from Soweto. Josh Kippen, also a first timer to the race, agreed with Loveday and Siseko, saying that doing this race 'blind' was one of the most challenging rivers he had ever paddled.

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Day two brought about cooler weather and an increase in the water level, which presented a whole new set of challenges.

However, the top-ten positions remained unchanged at the finish, with Hank McGregor winning the race. This win means that Hank has now won every major river race on the South African paddling calendar. A jubilant Hank commented after the race, "The longest pool was 150 m of flats and the rest was just a roller-coaster ride. I’m so glad I came to do it after so many years of wanting too and I will definitely be back."

The winning lady was Hilary Bruss, who raced consistently over the two days, with Jen Theron in second place.

The most outstanding result of the event was that of the Soweto Canoe Club, which took the overall Top Club Award for the first five boats to finish, as well as first place in the U16 and U18 categories, and second and third place in the U23 category.

It was one of those truly great days for sports development in our country, with a development club like Soweto producing six of the top paddlers in an event like the formidable Lowveld Croc Canoe Marathon. It just goes to show what can be achieved with the on-going support of committed sponsors, and passion and drive from the team. This is the way forward and it bodes well for the future of canoeing in South Africa.

Paddling to a brighter future The Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC), founded

by Brad Fisher, CEO of ADreach, is a highly acclaimed socio-economic development initiative. Inspired by the vision of providing 'empowerment and growth through sport', the club aims to not only teach residents of Soweto how to swim and participate in water sports but also develop crucial life skills that will assist its members in becoming economically active in their chosen fields.

The programme includes mentorship, career guidance, a feeding scheme, creation of an academic database per member, aptitude testing, English studies, and assistance with extra lessons. The club even gets involved in sponsoring tertiary education on a merit basis.

An innovative initiative that the club is involved in is a 'Shadow Employment' programme. As a partner for the job-shadowing initiative, ADreach offers the kids an opportunity to become work ready before completing their Grade 12, through an internship programme.

SCARC also leverages the various skilled members of its parent club (Emmerentia Dam-based Dabulamanzi) to volunteer their time and provide insights into their relevant fields. The children are exposed to a broad range of careers that they would otherwise not know about.

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1. Hank McGregor the overall winner.

2. Sipho Qoko 30th.

3. Siyabonga Tyiki 26th and 1st Under 16.

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SiphoQoko 30th.

Canoeing in South Africa Words: Travis Wilkinson Canoeing covers a multitude of paddling disciplines and it has to be noted that the talent and participation of South African athletes, at an international level, is of the highest standard.

The Female Paddler of the Year 2013 award bestowed on Bridgitte Hartley, by the Confederation of African Canoeing, epitomises Brigitte's incredible performance that resulted in the first-ever Olympic Sprint Kayaking medal, in London, for not only South Africa but the entire continent of Africa. Top international performances have also been delivered by our surfski and marathon paddlers.

The inaugural International Canoeing Federation (ICF) World Surfski Championships held in July this year, in Portugal, also saw Team South Africa clean-up in the medal stakes, with ten medals, as well as claim the Senior Men and Women World titles (gold, silver, and bronze for the SA Ladies). In the U23 Men, we took gold and silver. The results were equally impressive in the U18 (Junior Men) with a gold and silver, while the U18 Girls clinched gold.

At the ICF World Flat-water Marathon Championships, held in Copenhagen in September, South Africa was represented by a large team of more than 70 paddlers, ranging from Juniors to Masters, who did their country proud. After winning a host of medals, South Africa just lost out to Spain, the top-ranked marathon country in the world. The prestigious Senior Men's title was won by Hank McGregor, for the third time.

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In the U23 Men, gold and silver was secured by Andrew Birkett, the Dusi King, and Brandon van der Walt. In the U18 Girls, the diminutive and dynamic Kirsten Flanagan, who previously secured the gold in the Surfski Champs, brought home a silver.

With so many aspirational role models and champions in South Africa, canoeing is vibrant and energised to build capacity. To this end, there are numerous development initiatives across the country that offer youngsters from previously disadvantaged communities holistic opportunities for self-advancement and healthy activities. The Soweto Canoe Club is a flagship concept proving what can be achieved through the multiple efforts of selfless individuals, corporate sponsorship, and access to funding sources like the Lotto and local government departments.

Loveday Zondi with Siseko Ntondini in close pursuit.

These projects are gaining traction across the country, from the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KZN to the coastlines of Western and Eastern Cape, including a thriving sprinting initiative at Roodeplaat Dam. In Natal, the Natal Canoe Club, based in Pietermaritzburg, recently held a Development Race that was administered, staffed, and run by the paddlers who have graduated from the club’s Development Programme. This programme aims to ensure that these youngsters 'graduate' with life skills and employable skills, thus ensuring their holistic development beyond simply performing as athletes.

Canoeing is in a very healthy position, indeed, and will continue to

strive for its goals of sustainable Participation, Transformation and Performance. • For more information on canoeing or how to get into the sport, visit www.canoesa.org.za

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