Gallery
KNYSNA PADDLING NEWS - Knysna Canoe Club's members have been on fire of late, with six of them emerging as medallists from the 2020 SA Canoe Marathon and Surfski Championships last week, and four youngsters making it into the U21 SA Canoe Polo side.
Marathon racing is the most popular discipline in South African canoeing, and the Canoe Marathon Championships took place at St Francis Paddling Club on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 October, being split over two days so as to accommodate both the single (K1) and double (K2) canoe competitions.
Eleven Knysna Canoe Club (KCC) canoeists battled it out against the country's best. On Sunday, Martin Fraser and Jade das Fontes entered the K1 races, but after Martin had to pull out due to illness, Jade powered on to complete her four laps (totalling 17km) in just over two hours (2:00:41) to earn herself fifth place in the U16 category.
In the U16 K2 race on Monday, sisters Taya and Kyle Hanton teamed up and completed their 17km in 1:54:51. Jade was back in action on Monday too, and with Carla Collins by her side they managed to power to a third-place finish in the U18 K2 race, finishing in 1:50:28.
This was not the end of Knysna's prowess, however, as in the SA Surfski Championships Chloe Bunnett finished in first place in the women's veterans category, and was the fourth lady overall. Her performance also meant she was the sixth-best out of all the veterans taking part – men and women.
Photo gallery: 2020 SA Canoe Marathon and Surfski Championships
On the men's side, Daneel van Wyk was joined by KwaZulu-Natal canoeist Bryce Lawson for the U23 K2 race. The two proved a strong team, and powered through the 30km course in 2:19:48, edging out third place by a one second, to earn themselves a silver medal.
Daneel van Wyk (orange cap) gets ready with his team-mate Bryce Lawson (far right) to set off in their K2 race. Photo: James Tyrell
In the senior men's K2 race, it was Darren Berry and Thomas Lovemore who bore the Knysna colours and managed to finish in sixth place. In the sub-grand masters K2 category, Knysna was represented by Albert Wasserman and Danie van Wyk, who managed to earn a sixth-place finish.
Van Wyk's skills with paddle in hand are not just limited to canoe marathon though, as he is one of four local boys to be named in the SA U21 Canoe Polo team. He is joined by Joshua Smith, Jack Legiti and Aidan Carr, to ensure that half of the U21 squad comprises Knysna players.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
