Top paddlers tackle the Kowie
After a two-year break, the annual Kowie Intercity Canoe Challenge was back in near-perfect conditions, with a gentle wind to keep the paddlers cool.
The race started and ended at the Port Alfred River and Ski Boat Club and comprised three laps of about 7km each.
After a frenetic start, the race settled into three main contenders: Andy Birkett and brothers Josh and Matt Fenn, all from East London.
In the final sprint, Birkett took the win from Matt Fenn in a time of 1h25m38s, with Josh completing the podium.
Birkett said this was perfect training as he geared up to represent SA at the World Marathon Champs in Portugal at the end of September. He will be hoping to repeat his victory at the world games in the US in July.
The Fenns are also in training for the Fish Canoe Marathon and
World Surfski Champs respectively, which really underlined the quality of the field.
In the end, the race attracted 57 paddlers, down from the more than 100 normally expected, but this was due to a clash of dates for many of the PE paddlers. Points were awarded for both participation and placing in the various age categories and East London ended up convincing winners with 145 points against PE’s 45.
Feedback from paddlers across the board was that they had loved returning to Port Alfred and they cannot wait for next year’s edition of the race. Report courtesy Border Canoe Club