Canals Winter Challenge (or was that the Summer Challenge)
The Pam Golding Properties Canals Winter Paddling Challenge set off under perfect conditions and overseas visitors were no doubt confused as to why it is called a ‘Winter Challenge’ when it is held on a mid-summers day, so perfect was the weather.
The challenge was won easily by Ricky Riccardo Talevi and Grant Alschager, who flew down especially from Johannesburg with Rob Welsh and Luke Mcnish and locals Stephan Vorster and Gordon Spalding coming in second and third.
First ladies home were Natalie Goedhals and Megan Sinclair
First over 55 – Gavin Harvey and Marcus Burri,
First mixed – Gavin McNish and Kay McNish,
First U18 – Gray and Oli Mitchley.
The 10km race was won by Zoomie and Richard, with Amica and Chane de Jager first ladies, and Nielen Beyers and Melanie Botes first mixed.
After the event Richard Arderne thanked the timekeepers Mandy McGregor, Gail Brooker, Jenny Raiment, Candy and Rinus Peltenburg, and Madelein Barry. And Dave Louw as always for all he does for development of paddling. He also thanks Carbonology for the high quality paddles donated for a lucky draw prize as well as Quaysyde for the venue and prizes.
The Winter Challenge event follows an amazing week on the paddling calendar where G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) paddler and multi title world champion Hank McGregor not only break the Time Trial record set by Matt Bouman by almost 2 minutes on Wednesday evening but also broke the time set by a double held by Greg Louw and Phil Smith leaving Pam Golding Properties R10000 poorer for Hank’s record breaking performance.
Commenting Richard Arderne of Pam Golding Properties had this to say.
“We at Pam Golding Properties were delighted to contribute R10,000 towards his costs, being R5000 for breaking Matthew Bouman’s record of 41’26”, and R5000 for breaking the 40min barrier (as well as beating the doubles record of 39’11” held by Greg Louw and Phil Smith).
A very exciting evening, and informative too, with Hank giving us tips before the race followed by a talk at the St Francis Squash Club, at a function hosted by Greg Darke, where Hein Van Rooyen and Jason Goedhals’s beautiful Carbonology K1 that Hank had just paddled was signed by Hank, and will hang, along with Greg’s collection of sport paraphernalia”.
In closing Arderne said. “We believe that our contribution towards sport in St Francis enhances the town’s attraction as a sporting destination (for local and international visitors), which is good for all businesses and hence employment, and also property values”.
Strat Line of Pam Golding Canals Winter Challenge. Photos by Jane Arderne
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