In international racing a champion was crowned in China but there were no stars in Spain, while locally Dabs cleaned up down in the Lowveld and our Navy Boys went to a 2 day challenge that didn’t have a second day…
Congratulations to Hamish Lovemore on bagging two Silver medals at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu. Hamish, now in red hot sprint and marathon form was just pipped to the post in both the short and long course events by the Dane, Mads Pederson. Both events became two man races, with other big names like Alonso, Ramalho and Candy being soundly beaten. Hamish only just beat Andy Birkett in the selection trials, with Andy having pipped Mads to the post in the long course of the 2022 World Games in the USA, showing how strong our leading marathon men currently are. In the ladies races the Swede Melina Andersson appears to have taken the crown from Vanda Kiszli, winning both events which used to be Kiszli’s.
Unfortunately while we had other South African stars at the Sella in Spain, the world’s largest mass participation river race, our boys didn’t fare as well as expected; with Hank & Uli coming 9th, Matt & Josh 11th and Clint & Nick 12th. Sadly last years ladies K1 winner, Christie, didn’t defend her title. While in Spain, some of the guys stayed on for other races, and congratulations go to Clint & Nick on winning the Ria de Villaviciosa Regatta.
More recently and closer to home the Lowveld Canoe Club staged a Marathon Weekend at their picturesque Longmere Dam near White River. The K1 race was between Luke and Wayne, with the younger of the two taking the line honours. The battle for bronze was contested by some older guys including Rob Crichton, Piers Cruickshanks, Mike Stewart, Gustav Radloff and MJ Robb (all who are in training for the upcoming World Marathon Champs in Gyor) with MJ taking it. Only one lady paddled, respect to Helen Jansen van Vuuren. The K2 event on Sunday became a 4 boat race that was decided by 4 seconds with Piers & Mike Stewart winning just ahead of Rob Crichton & MJ Robb, while Wayne & Richard Tandy claimed third ahead of young Luke & Matt Ballenden. Well done to LCC for hosting an awesome event and for their incredible hospitality, which was much appreciated by all who made the trip from Jo’burg.
We believe that LCC are promising even greater things in October to persuade our TVL Navy boys and girls who might be thinking of going to Pete Marlin to support the Lowveld Croc instead, given that they are (sadly) on the same weekend.
Talking the Transvaal Navy, on the weekend we also had 3 of our more able seamen down at the Dolphin Coast Challenge, which is a proper challenge, not because of the distances which are relatively short, but because of the conditions it often serves up, and the shore breaks that threaten to break both boats and bodies. Day 1 from Pirates to Umdloti was very rough and windy. Hank did his thing and won ahead of Capies, Matthew Coetzer and Mark Keeling who was third. Bevan Mason, flying Dabs colours came home seventh while Moolies Moolman and Benji Cockram finished together, somewhat lower down. Day two from Umdloti to Salt Rock didn’t happen because the surf was too big. Hectic. Lets hope things aren’t as challenging come the World Champs being held in those parts in October.
Coming soon. The Liebensbergvlei Clean Water Challenge. 13 & 14 September from Reitz to Tweeling. It’s the GCU K2 River Champs, but K1’s and K3’s are welcome, and you can do both or just one day, each ending with a cooldrink at the infamous Skipskop. We hope to see you there!
Till next time. Go Dabs!