Despite the onset of winter, the season for river racing has started while water levels are low and manageable, to build up to the A-grade river races from October to March, next year.
Paddlers need to gain experience, as well as points for qualification to do the A-grade rivers and build up their stamina, endurance and fitness.
Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) has hosted a number of novice-friendly beginner races to help get the new paddlers up and running.
The race that took place on World Environment Day, recently, as a tribute to Paddle for the Planet, started in Meyerton and ran 22kms on the Klip River, to Three Rivers, near the junction of the Vaal River.
Christina Sears, A VLC member, started racing in April, and has now completed four of the required six races for A-grade river status.
She is very fortunate as her partner and husband, Michael, is a highly experienced Dusi paddler, providing her with a hands-on full time river coach.
They finished the 22km river race as the third mixed doubles (male/female combination) in a time of one hour and 49 minutes.
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