Shongweni Dam in KwaZulu-Natal will host a bumper entry of sprint paddlers from Under 8 to masters at this weekend’s SA Sprint Championships while will double up as a selection event for the junior sprinters hoping to go to the ICF Junior and Under 23 Sprint Champions or the Olympic Hopes Regatta later this year.
Cameron Hudson/
Gameplan Media
Canoeing: SA Sprint Championships see bumper entries
Shongweni Dam will host the Canoeing South Africa Junior, Under 23 and senior Sprint Championships from 24 to 2 April 2021.
Shongweni Dam in KwaZulu-Natal will host a bumper entry of sprint paddlers from Under 8 to masters at this weekend’s SA Sprint Championships while will double up as a selection event for the junior sprinters hoping to go to the ICF Junior and Under 23 Sprint Champions or the Olympic Hopes Regatta later this year.
Cameron Hudson/
Gameplan Media
The Canoeing South Africa Junior, Under 23 and senior Sprint Championships will see their largest fields since 2016 this weekend.
Canoeing South Africa believes this is proof that paddling, and sprint paddling in particular, is experiencing a resurgence as a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the public are desperate to be active.
A COVID boom for Canoeing
Canoeing has been one of the few sports that has been back competing at the amateur level since the lockdown.
Shongweni Dam will host the sprint championships set for 24-26 April. The country’s best up-and-coming sprinters aim to qualify for the side that will go to the Junior and Under 23 Sprint World Championships in Portugal in July.
The event will be a senior national sprint championship; however it is not a selection event for the world championships.
Canoeing South Africa excited for next-gen paddlers
President of Canoeing South Africa Kim Pople is looking forward to seeing the next generation of paddlers showcase their talent on the national stage along with the large numbers entered into the other age categories.
“The most wonderful thing about this weekend is that we are going from Under 8’s, who are our youngest, to masters – the over 65’s – so it’s really exciting to have all age groups taking part,” Pople said.
“Not only is this event a selection event for the Junior World Championships but also for the Olympic Hopes Regatta so there is definitely going to be a competitive element to the three days of racing.
“Overall though the aim of the SA Schools Championships is to get lots of paddlers on the water having fun and testing themselves.
“Some will take home national titles but the event is about camaraderie and meeting other people.”
Keep doing it right
Pople is grateful that they can hold the national championships and other events but urges everyone to continue to adhere to all protocol.
“We have been very lucky to be able to race during the pandemic and this weekend will be no different in terms of rules with strict protocols in place.
“There won’t be any medal ceremonies but we have done something very special for paddlers so they can get the feeling of being a national champion.
“All is in place for a safe and exciting national championship and we are really looking forward to the three days of racing at Shongweni,” Pople added.
