KNYSNA NEWS - Local father-and-daughter team Radie and Chrisna Dippenaar recently completed the highly difficult Fish River Canoe Marathon over 82km.

"The Fish", as it is known, is a two-day marathon. Canoeists taking part need to fulfil the Canoeing SA requirements for competency and proficiency to be able to take part.

The race started at Grassridge dam near Hofmeyr in the Eastern Cape on Friday 6 October. 

The first day ended 1km below the Knutsford bridge. 

This was also the start of the second day of racing which ended 36km downstream at the sports complex in Cradock.

According to 56-year-old Dippenaar he and Chrisna, now 21, had to "shoot very difficult weirs of up to 3m high" at times, with many places along the river where it is possible to break one's boat, he said.

"Out of 600 entries only 463 boats finished the race," said Dippenaar, who completed his 16th Fish River Canoe Marathon this year.

Radie and Chrisna Dippenaar (21) during the recent Fish River Canoe Marathon. Photo: Supplied

“This was my 21st birthday present to Chrisna. I am very proud of her seeing that seven months ago she only managed 400m on our first training session,” he said.

The pair now plan on tackling the world-famous Duzi marathon in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal next year in February.

'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'