With the weather warming up so well, despite the timeous August winds, paddlers were out in full force to support Chukky’s race – the Gauteng Mixed Doubles Championships – with over 80 boats on the water which was still quite fresh going through some of those stopper waves! Certainly a number of paddlers simply wanted to get their Fish training in while the weather has been so glorious….
Photos are on Gauteng Canoe Union facebook page and results are posted on the GCU website on Monday
With Alex Masina being the top junior in Gauteng, as well as a frequent podium position finisher at river races, partnered with Morgan Ziervogel, the undisputed Queen of the Klip River who is the current female champion in the province – there was not much surprise that they won the event in a time of 1 hour and 4 seconds.
The Under 23 JCC paddlers are very comfortable on their home grounds river although it was no easy walk in the park with their competition bringing in Robert Crighton and Holly Spencer (Dabs) 5 seconds later, while the 3rd Mixed double also Under 23, brought the SCARC team of Siyabonga Tyiki and Sneziwe Gxobole in to the third podium position 2 seconds after that.
Sibusiso Chwayi was the first K1 finisher (SOW) in 1:01 also first Under 16 paddler to cross the finish line, while Phineas Zulu and Asanda Ndlovu finished as the 4th mixed double in 1 hour 3 minutes.
There were no female contenders at the race as they had all been bagged by a male partner for the championships race with numerous Mixed pairs taking part. Sipho Qoko and Ayanda Chwayi (SOW) were the 5th Mixed combination also Under 23 who finished the race in 1 hour 4 minutes.
The first K3 was also a mixed affair captained by Richard Cele, with Josh Loots and Rene Schutte (VIC) finishing in 1 hour 4 minutes and 50 seconds while the 8th Mixed double brought in Zonele Nzuza and Michelle Haskins (Sow/Dabs) in 1:07, Cobus Wagner and Marlise Swanepoel (Dabs) in 1:08, and Nkosi Mzolo with Nombuso Mzolo (Sow/THO) in 1 hour 9 minutes as the 10th Mixed double to finish in this race dedicated to male/female partnerships!
Peter Geach and Janet Bartlet were 11th (Dabs) , with Michael and Chrstina Sears 12th (Dabs/VIC), Wayne and Karen Saunders (VIC) 13th, Anthony and Theresa Welsh (VIC) 14th, Richard and Linda Carter (15th) (VIC) Minnie Kretzschmar and Dennis Carlse (Dabs/FLO) 16th and Daniel Stevens with Berdine Nel 17th (VLC).
Awesome to see so many couples and ladies on the river – we should do more Mixed doubles races!
In the other age categories David Ivy and Glen Sinclair (JCC) were first Masters in 1:07, the Winning SV K2 was Cobus Wagner and Marlise Swanepoel who already had a mention in the MD category, (Dabs), First Veterans Kevin Hunt and Chris van der Merwe in 1:09, Meyer Steyn first Grand Master (Dabs) in 1:09, while the MD combination of Peter Geach and janet Bartlet (DABS) were also 1st sub Masters….!
Frank Dabrowski (Dabs) was the first Great Grand master, and while Linda and Richard Carter (VIC) were in the Mixed doubles race, they were also the Sub Grand Master first finishers (VIC).
Great fun was had by all and we thank Chad Andrews and his support crew from Dabs for an awesome opportunity to enjoy being on the river and seeing so many lovely ladies!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
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