July 18, 2006
By Tammy O'Reilly
THE most animated canoe race of the year takes place at Wemmer Pan on Women's Day, and, in keeping with tradition, males will only be allowed to enter if they're dressed as women.
The City's Region 9 and the Johannesburg Canoe Club are hosting the event for the third consecutive year on 9 August, and this year they're even urging non-canoeists to participate in the day's activities, which include canoeing workshops, a celebrity race and, for the first time ever, a High Heel and Hand Bag 100m Dash.
For the latter, all participants, male and female, will race in high heels with a handbag tucked under one arm from the swimming pool to the JCC Club House.
"I first saw this kind of race in San Francisco and the vibe there was just so wonderful that I decided to incorporate it into this year's event, but with a different purpose - to bring people to the water to watch the canoe races," says Elna McIntosh, organiser of the event.
The main race of the day is a woman's only race, which begins at 9.30, but men will be permitted if they are kitted out in women's clothing and accessories.
"Canoeing is very much a male-dominated sport and one of the reasons we host this event on such a significant day is because we want to show what an important role women in sport play and to encourage more women and particularly children to take up the sport," says McIntosh.
The Soweto Canoe Club in Orlando was founded by the JCC in an effort to develop the sport in areas where it is not popular. The children from here and first-time paddlers from developmental classes of other canoe clubs will participate in the 4km Developmental Race at 10.30am.
"I've always said that a child in sport is a child out of court, so this year we are focusing on getting children from all areas to do something that will keep them out of trouble and at the same time teach other skills like team building and boosting physical and mental strength."
The celebrity race has also become a favourite among supporters and participants, and this year will see celebrities like Radio 702's Leigh Bennie, journalist Charlene Smith and HIV specialist Lynne Morris taking part. The 10 female celebrities won't be doing any paddling themselves; but will sit back in their canoes and spur on the paddlers who organisers tout as the "top 10 hottest men in canoeing".
The first 200 entrants get t-shirts and goody bags and a canoe is up for grabs in the lucky draw.
All those wanting to enter the main and developmental canoe races should be affiliated to a canoe club.
For more information, contact Elna McIntosh on 011 787 1222 or email her at disa@icon.co.za.
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