peninsula-canoe

The annual Novices 15 km K1 race held on the Berg River, between Dal Josephat Bridge, Paarl and Lady Loch Bridge, Wellington, was held on Saturday 16th May in fairly low water and very windy, conditions.

Paarl Canoe Club  members - the host club – did exceptionally well in this event (as can be seen on the results sheets following) and indicates that the club is obviously actively promoting canoeing in its area – well done to Paarl Canoe Club under its forward-thinking Chairman – Herbert Conradie and the club coach, Wayne August.

Pictures by John Hishin

A number of experienced paddlers also took part in the race to assist the novices as well as to have a first look at the Berg River prior to the seasons races that begin upon it next weekend. Thanks to them for being available to help the novices as they (the novices) experienced their first ever river race – something that tends to be rather intimidating the first few times around.
The race was one by an U16 paddling sensation, Luke Stowman, who is not only one of the youngest paddlers to win a race in the W.C.C.U., biut also comes from the Paarl Development group. Luke paddle exceptionally well and in the company of such paddling lumiaries as Heinrich Schloms (Paarl) and Greg van Heerden (Mil) to record the excellent time of 52 minutes and 56 seconds.
The Women’s event was also won by a Paarl CC member – Helene Rabie – daughter of well known canoeist and Fish River Marathon organisers, Andre’ and Audrey Rabie.  

The many smiling faces at the end of the event gave testimony that the race was a positive experience for all paddlers and that the W.C.C.U.  canoeing novices look forward to competing in longer K1 river races and at higher river levels, where their new (river racing) skills will be put to the test.

Results:-

Senior Men
1. Luke Stowman – Paarl Canoe Club – 52 minutes 56 seconds
2. Joseph Williams – Paarl -                 54:15
3. Diviano Pietersen – Paarl -                54:31


Senior Women
1. Helen Rabie – Paarl – 1:02:28
2. Kirsten Penderis – Stel – 1:02:52
3. She-Earl de Wee – Paarl – 1:04:17

Juniors
U 14
1. Michael-Lee Farringer – Paarl – 54:50
2. Daniel Buys – Paarl – 58:51
3. Ian Jackson – Paarl – 1:00:18

U16.
1. Luke Stowman- Paarl – 52:56
2. Diviano Pietersen – Paarl – 54:36
3. She-Earl de Wee – Paarl – 1:04:17

U18.
1. Joseph Williams -  Paarl – 54:15
2. Emile Monnaar – Paarl – 57:17
3. Morne Jumani – Stel – 1:12