Border paddling talents will be gunning to impress when they take on the best of the world in the 2017 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Hong Kong, which gets underway tomorrow.
Juniors Zara Wood and Joshua Fenn, Durban-based senior Nikki Russell and age group hopes Bevan Manson and Andre Wood are all competing for South Africa paddling and will all be looking to to get on the podium as they take on the annual Hong Kong Dragon Run race that is doubling up as the world champs this year.
It is set to be a baptism of fire for 15-year-old Grade 9 Clarendon High School student Wood with it being her first international experience.
“This is my first time so I am nervous but at the same time excited for it,” said Wood.
“It is going to be tough and I want to gain as much experience as I can while doing my best and see where it gets me.
“I am racing as a junior (U18) and am still 15, but I think that I can challenge some of the older girls at the world champs.
“It has been a great year paddling for me and I hope it will continue in Hong Kong.”
Selborne College matric Fenn will be aiming for a podium place on the junior front and after a very impressive showing in the Pete Marlin Surfski race two weeks ago where he beat some of the best senior surfski talent in the country on the way to a third placed finish, his confidence will be sky high.
For Russell she will be amongst the challengers for the overall ladies title in the race. She has been one of SA's best paddlers over the last few years and is always among the top performers in the world every year as well.
“Nikki Russell is always in with a good shout, she is seriously good paddler and right up there with the best,” said Border Canoe Club chairman Brian Coates.
“On her day she could even take the title, she is a seriously good paddler and has the potential to beat the best in the world.”
Manson and Andre Wood will then be battling it out in their respective age groups and with Manson one of Borders top paddlers for many years he will be hoping for a podium place.
“Bevan will definitely be in with a shout in his age group, he has been one of Border’s best local paddlers for many years now and he can definitely mix it up with the world’s best in his age group,” said Coates. “Andre I am not so sure, anything can happen on the day but I think he is mainly going as support for his daughter Zara.”
Other SA paddlers who should be in the running for top honours include Jasper Mocké, Sean Rice, Matt Bouman and Hank McGregor on the men's front with Michelle Burn, Bridgitte Hartley, Hayley Nixon and Jenna Ward on the women's side. The action sets off tomorrow morning, with the competition ending on Sunday.
World beckons for SA wavebusters
Juniors Zara Wood and Joshua Fenn, Durban-based senior Nikki Russell and age group hopes Bevan Manson and Andre Wood are all competing for South Africa paddling and will all be looking to to get on the podium as they take on the annual Hong Kong Dragon Run race that is doubling up as the world champs this year.
It is set to be a baptism of fire for 15-year-old Grade 9 Clarendon High School student Wood with it being her first international experience.
“This is my first time so I am nervous but at the same time excited for it,” said Wood.
“It is going to be tough and I want to gain as much experience as I can while doing my best and see where it gets me.
“I am racing as a junior (U18) and am still 15, but I think that I can challenge some of the older girls at the world champs.
“It has been a great year paddling for me and I hope it will continue in Hong Kong.”
Selborne College matric Fenn will be aiming for a podium place on the junior front and after a very impressive showing in the Pete Marlin Surfski race two weeks ago where he beat some of the best senior surfski talent in the country on the way to a third placed finish, his confidence will be sky high.
For Russell she will be amongst the challengers for the overall ladies title in the race. She has been one of SA's best paddlers over the last few years and is always among the top performers in the world every year as well.
“Nikki Russell is always in with a good shout, she is seriously good paddler and right up there with the best,” said Border Canoe Club chairman Brian Coates.
“On her day she could even take the title, she is a seriously good paddler and has the potential to beat the best in the world.”
Manson and Andre Wood will then be battling it out in their respective age groups and with Manson one of Borders top paddlers for many years he will be hoping for a podium place.
“Bevan will definitely be in with a shout in his age group, he has been one of Border’s best local paddlers for many years now and he can definitely mix it up with the world’s best in his age group,” said Coates. “Andre I am not so sure, anything can happen on the day but I think he is mainly going as support for his daughter Zara.”
Other SA paddlers who should be in the running for top honours include Jasper Mocké, Sean Rice, Matt Bouman and Hank McGregor on the men's front with Michelle Burn, Bridgitte Hartley, Hayley Nixon and Jenna Ward on the women's side. The action sets off tomorrow morning, with the competition ending on Sunday.
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