The annual Gerhard Nel Memorial Race was instituted after the untimely passing of Nel, an engineer at ArcelorMittal, during a time trial on the Vaal River in April 2013. Apart from commemorating his achievements as a top canoeist and a valued member of the Watuni Canoe Club, the annual race offers canoeists an extra opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Berg River Canoe Marathon.
According to Jennie Dallas from the Gauteng Canoe Union, canoeists were met with a cold and windy day on the morning of the race. A total of 20 boats (eight K1’s and 12 K2’s) finished the 26km race.
The Watuni Canoe Club hosted the event, and the top finishers were SCARC paddlers – Siyabonga Tyiki and Thando Ngamlana in the first place. In the 0/23 division, Zanenhlanhla Mbala took the spoils followed by Wongama Makhasi. The 0/16 division saw Phineas Zula in the third position as the first K1 canoeist. The Senior Division saw Sibusiso Ghwayi in the fourth place as the first 0/18 canoeist. The first Veterans to cross the line were Kobus and Caroline Filmalter – who also took home the spoils in the Mixed Double division.
Other winners on the day included:
• Tommy Booth
• Frank Dabrowski
• Chad Andrews, Matthew Cruickshank and Gordon Malcolm
• JP Pienaar and Sylvia Nel
• Carel van Biljon
• Keith Beeston and John Rowan
The day also saw a School Division League take place on the campus. For more information contact Jan Leonard on 083 680 5952.
