Breeds and Kupferberg in training for Fish River
Jarryd Breeds from Boksburg partnered with Vallon Kupferberg to finish the 18km training race on Rietvlei Dam recently.
They finished the race in 14th place overall in one hour and 26 minutes.
They are both members of the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club based at Homestead Dam in Benoni.
The nine miler (18km) race on Rietvlei Dam annually heralds the start of serious training for major races on the canoe race calendar, and many paddlers who have been resting or hibernating since Dusi in February, or through the early part of winter, inevitably find their way back on to the water to obtain a decent seeding for the major A Grade Fish River event, which takes place in October – just enough time to train for the exciting and challenging 80km white water event.
Despite the presence of both crocodiles and hippos at the Rietvlei dam, the race hosted by Centurion Canoe Club never fails to attract a large crowd, as the paddlers enjoy company on the five laps around the massive dam, with more than 130 paddlers on the water, no boat is alone for too long as it is either overtaking, or being overtaken depending on fitness levels.
David Gerber was the first K1 finisher and member of the same club, while Malcolm Stothard and Mike Barry were the Sub Master age category winners.
John Rowan and Vince Buttrick from the same club were the Great Grand Master first finishers (over 65 years), while Tommy Booth finished in a K1.
