Learner Paddles To Victory: Camps Bay High School Grade 9 learner Holly Smith, together with her mixed double partner, Zak Jacobs paddled to victory at the Breede River Canoe Marathon last weekend.
Holly (driving) and Zak are both 15 years old. They are river novices and were amongst 185 paddlers who started the Marathon on 4 September.
They caused a sensation when they crossed the finish line ahead of the overnight leaders. The overnight leaders were Ian Traumann and Stephanie von der Heyde.
Holly and Zak sprinted to victory to win the end-sprint by less than a boat length which resulted in their performance being dubbed the “Performance of the Race.”
Holly and Zak were first in the Mixed Doubles, the first U16 Crew to cross the line and finished in fifteenth place overall.
Said Camps Bay High School Head of Sport, Ms Busi Ngcwama, “This is a truly phenomenal achievement and we couldn’t be prouder!
Holly is proving to be a paddler to watch. At such a young age, she is able to take on much more seasoned paddlers. She is proving to be a real force to be reckoned with!”
Holly is now training for the Fish River Marathon, Pete Marlin and Cape Point Marathon. In between, she will also be taking part in the SA Lifesaving Championships to be held in Gqeberha in the school holidays.
Photos supplied
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