{"id":153018,"date":"2017-06-04T06:02:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-04T04:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/153018\/paddlers-get-some-tricks-of-the-trade\/"},"modified":"2017-06-04T20:13:49","modified_gmt":"2017-06-04T18:13:49","slug":"paddlers-get-some-tricks-of-the-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2017\/06\/04\/paddlers-get-some-tricks-of-the-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Paddlers get some tricks-of-the-trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the past three years, South African paddling legend Hank McGregor has been crowned the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships K1 winner.<\/p>\n

McGregor is a six-time gold medal winner at the World Championships and one of the finest all-round paddlers in history.<\/p>

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He recently visited the Victoria Lake Canoeing Club (VLC) to help inspire and motivate paddlers preparing for the imminent ICF World Marathon Championship, to be held in Pietermaritzburg.<\/p>\n

The visit was a huge successful, attracting over 100 paddlers and interested parties from across Gauteng.<\/p>

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\u201cThe afternoon started with a group of interested Berg River Marathon paddlers having a training discussion with McGregor,\u201d said Wayne Saunders, VLC club captain.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the discussion he shared training, racing and supplementation information and tips which have helped him to an unprecedented nine Berg River Marathon titles.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike most top performers McGregor was willing to share his experiences to help both the experienced and novice paddlers preparing to tackle the Berg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paddlers then had a chance to enjoy VLC\u2019s Tuesday evening time trials, against McGregor, who happily took on local youngster Colin Ledwaba in a K2 canoe.<\/p>\n

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Hank McGregor (front) and young Victoria Lake Canoeing Club paddler Colin Ledwaba tackle the Tuesday night time trials.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over 40 boats, which including some of Gauteng\u2019s top paddling crews, took to the water, with the top three boats only just pipping McGregor to the finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe course\u2019s record time was shattered by over three minutes,\u201d Saunders said happily.<\/p>\n

The evening\u2019s activities ended with a question and answer session with McGregor, in which he shared his path to success, some of the challenges he faced and also some perspectives on what it takes to reach the top, during a festive dinner.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Hank McGregor (right) spends some time with Greg Smith during his visit to the Victoria Lake Canoeing Club.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cOverall the evening offer a wonderful opportunity to engage with one of South Africa\u2019s true sporting legends, as well as providing a rare opportunity for Gauteng paddlers from all clubs to get together,\u201d Saunders said.<\/p>\n

The proceeds of the event will be directed to the VLC development and novice paddling programmes to encourage further growth in the sport.<\/p>\n

Other articles you may be interested in:<\/strong>
\nTraining heating up in preparation for Worlds<\/a><\/p>\n

Cele finishes Dusi in Top 50<\/a><\/p>\n

VLC Night Race a true success<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0<\/span>pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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