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The “Pink Lady” South African School Sprints were held from 30th of April through to the 2nd of May at Nagel Dam in the Valley of a Thouand Hills, Kwazulu-Natal (between Durban and Pietermaritzburg). 
The WP U18 K4 team – left to right, Michael Farringer (Bridgehouse), Ruan Knobel (Mossel Bay High), Daniel Pretorius (Bridgehouse), Luke Stowman (Klein Nederberg, Wellington) These are the National Championships for young paddlers still at primary or secondary schools throughout South Africa. The venue was beautiful even if the ablution blocks were not! Once the younger paddlers were convinced that the crocodiles rumoured to be in the dam were too small to eat them they all had a great time. The locals insisted that the crocs were too small to want to eat the paddlers and that they were only interested in game about the size of a small dog. With this information, both Wayne August, the WCCU coach and I looked at each other wondering whether or not an Under Eight age-group paddler might fit not into that sizing! However all bravely went out onto the water and it was good thing that they did as the Western Cape Canoe Union Schools team dominated proceedings throughout the championships
A quick glance at the Victor and Victrix Ludorums (1st place overall) for the different age groups makes the point. U18 girls Melanie van Niekerk (Milnerton) Jan van Riebeeck Hoer U18 boys Luke Stowman (Paarl developement) Klein Nederberg U16 boys Michael Lee Farringer (Paarl) Bridge House U14 boys Bradley Ruiters (Paarl development) Paarl Boys High. U12 girls Justine Williams (Paarl development) Son-op Primary. U10 girls Rebecca Meihuysen (Paarl) Bridgehouse U10 boys Kelvin Swanepoel (Paarl) Bridgehouse U8 boys Pierre van der Westhuyzen (Paarl) Bridgehouse 
Justine and the Pink Lady = Justine Williams of Son-op Primary, Paarl The above list is of the overall winners in their age groups and there were a good number of other WCCU schools paddlers who won individual and overall medals in their different age groups. As can been seen from the above results, 8 out of a possible 12 overall winners in the age groups came from the Western Cape and this speaks volumes about the quality of the junior and development canoe coaching programme in the Western Cape and the degree of coaching that these paddlers receive. The major credit for these results has to go to the WCCU Junior coach, Wayne August of Paarl Canoe Club. Well done Wayne! He has shown again that he is the “winningest” coach in South Africa – yet again!! These Championships were also used to select an S.A. Schools team to compete at Bochum in Germany later this year and the following WCCU paddlers were selected to represent South Africa at this World Cup event; Danie Buys (Bridgehouse), Michael Lee Farringer, (Bridgehouse) Daniel Pretorius (Bridgehiuse), Marisa Pretorius (Jan van Riebeeck) and Luke Stowman (Klein Nederburg). These Championships were also used as an opportunity to try out several teams in K4 canoes. One of the strongest teams was that of the WCCU, comprising of Ruan Knobel (Mossel Bay High), Daniel Pretorius, Michael Farringer (both Bridgehouse) and Luke Stowman (Klein Nederberg). It was a pleasure to watch them in action and they won a gold medal even though this event was not part of the “official” championships. There is something about watching a K4 streaking down the lanes in sync that can’t help but bring a smile to one’s face, such is the grace, raw power and sleekness that such a craft has when paddled by a good crew, which these 4 lads certainly are! 
Wayne and his girls = left to right, Jermaine Goeieman (Dal-Josephat Primary, Paarl), Justine Williams (Son-op Primary, Paarl), Wayne August – Coach, Marianne van Zyl (Paarl GHS Primary), Bonita Williams (Son-op Primary, Paarl) Out of a possible 216 medals the Western Cape Schools team won 99 medals or close to 46% of all the medals won! (Paarl) Bridgehouse earned 43 medals (versus 38 last year) giving them the overall winning School trophy for both Co-ed Junior and Co-ed Senior schools at the championships. Paarl Development earned 29 medals (versus 20 for last year). Again this result shows that Paarl Development is arguably the most successful development program in the country and getting better! We are proud of these young men, women and their Coach! The ‘Pink Lady Apple Group’ sponsored these sprints. Not only were Pink Lady apples handed out freely to all participants but each Victor Ludorum received a cap and a R1000 in prize money. The most deserving Under 12 paddler received a brand new sprint format Bako sprint boat. As it would have been a shame to see such a generous prize disappear into the populous north, fortunately the decision was easy as it went to Paarl’s own Justin Williams who received a gold medal in all four events that she raced in. Well done Justine and thank you Pink Lady |
Race Results/ Reports 
