River paddling as a sport faces numerous challenges
Even though canoeing is an exciting sport full of adrenaline, at the end of the day families, work, finances, and time, becomes a problem.
With the number of Boksburg paddlers dwindling every year, the Advertiser sought to find out what might be the possible reasons for the decline of partakers in canoeing events.
The Advertiser spoke to well-known paddler in Ekurhuleni, Jennie Dallas, who has formed her opinion from talking to multiple fellow paddlers over the years.
When the Advertiser asked her about the smaller numbers of Boksburg and Ekurhuleni participation alike, she responded: “It’s not just Boksburg, it’s in all areas. River paddling is a bit of a mission: long way to drive to find a river (in Gauteng) as we are not at the coast, and also we don’t have a high number of rivers to pick from.
“The Vaal is mostly flat with no rapids; and per the news going around recently, it’s full of raw sewage.
“The Jukskei to the Hartebeespoort Dam is full of municipal raw sewage so we don’t use that river much anymore.”
According to Dallas, it’s not just raw sewage that is preventing local paddlers from consistently enjoying the sport.
“Blesbok in Nigel/Heidelberg is tainted with mine metals from the Springs mines, and also not healthy.
“Also consider the rivers in our province are very rain-dependent – no rain, no water.
“The only river we have that has rapids and is still clean and always has water is the Klip from Daleside to the Vaal River, which is a 45-minute drive, there and back.”
Dallas went on to point out to other logistical problems like having to take your boat off your car roof and get in the river to start paddling. Then you’re required to paddle to the finish.
“Wives, girlfriends and family get tired of getting up early to drive you and drive your car to the finish and sit there for hours waiting for you on weekends, you might have broken your boat or rudder.
“Most sports are in one spot. We have logistical issues.
“With the bad municipal management of water resources which are affected badly by municipal wastewater management and the distances involved, the two-hour river race becomes quite a logistical nightmare.
“It, therefore, takes too long and it is too much of trouble.”
She said there’s also the issue of needing to take time off for one to have family time.
“Children have school sports and parents can’t just go spend more than half a day around a river anymore. They might paddle, but can’t go to the races so often and then often find another sport which is quick and easy, like spinning, cycling and running.
“Fellow paddlers choose certain races to participate in, such as the Dusi and the Fish. Therefore only a couple of weekends away.”
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