Canoe Marathon

Marathon racing is the most popular discipline in South African canoeing, and a vibrant calendar of events takes advantage of the many excellent paddling rivers and flat-water courses across the country.

The domestic river season starts with the Berg River Marathon, a 4 day odyssey in the Cape winter from Paarl to Velddrif, followed by the Breede Marathon, Lowveld Croc, Hansa Fish, and Vaal Challenge marathons.

In the summer season the major races switch to KwaZulu-Natal for the Umzinyathi 50 Miler and peaking at the Dusi Marathon, which remains the biggest race on the calendar. The Umkomaas marathon is arguably the roughest water raced in K1s and K2s anywhere in the world, and the river season winds down with Non-Stop Dusi, the N3TC Drak Challenge and Tugela Marathons.

The Flatwater Marathon Championships and SA Team selection take place in May/June ahead of the major world events in August to October.

Flatwater marathon racing is a highly tactical discipline that takes place in a lap format, with a portage at the end of every lap. Different distances are raced depending on age category and sex of participants.

South African Marathon Championship distances:
Junior Men: 5 Laps, 21km
Junior Women: 4 laps, 17km
Senior and U23 Men: 7 laps, 30km
Senior and U23 Women: 6 laps, 25km.

Selectors:
Ant Stott (KNCU)
Rob Hart (WCCU)
Peter O’Connor (GCU)

National Marathon Board

Malcolm Stothard	Chairman
Peter Cole	WCCU marathon chair
Graham Neate	GCU marathon chair
Waldo Van Der Linde	CDCU marathon chair
Jenna Ward	KNCU marathon chair
Gary Atkinson	ECCU marathon chair

CSA is looking for applicants for a manager, for this year’s World Flat Water Marathon Champs, which will be held In Sandvika Norway, from24-30 August 2020.

Please note that taking on this job will require a huge amount of hard work, and will take up a large portion of your daily programme!

Applicants must have the following credentials and some of the duties are also listed below:
– Does not have to be a paddler to apply.
– Tour managers trip will be paid in full to Norway
– Strong knowledge of Marathon racing, including, racing rules and regulations.
– Strong managerial skills(you will be dealing with a team in excess of 60 odd members!).
– Good communication skills(From dealing with Junior, Senior and Master paddlers, parents, right up to dealing with ICF officials)
– Someone who is contactable 24/7.
– Organising the SA teams race kit and tracksuits (getting size samples so team members can get the correct sizes, especially for racing)
– Collection of funds for the tour.
– Organising the loading of the marathon container which is located in KZN.
– Liaising with the shipping agent, to make sure the container gets to Portugal before the team arrives.
– Flights for the entire team
– Accommodation for entire team in Norway!
– Liaising with Norwegian officials with regards to accreditation, meals, transport if far from the course etc!
– Manager needs to also be good with “MEDIA”. Sending pics, videos etc back to SA while the event is on.
– You will be working very close with the Secretary general Colin Simpkins and Myself, who will assist with all of the above.
– Ideally the manager should be available for a few years to benefit from learning experiences.

These are just some of the duties and qualities we are looking for.

Applications must be submitted via email to the CSA Marathon Committee, for Att Malcolm Stothard (malcolm@setkayaks.co.za), by no later than Friday 7th February 2020.

WHEN SENDING THROUGH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE SEND A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOURSELF, WHAT WORK YOU DO ETC, SO THE COMMITTEE CAN CHOOSE THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB!