Whilst teaching Life Skills in the township in February 2009, Fiona (Education & Training Manager) happened to take along a paddling magazine with an interesting article. A couple of the students began pouring over the magazine and asked if they could learn to paddle. Sam, Wandile, Mthobisi and Thami have since come nearly every day. They have improved radically and have done a number of time trials. Amongst the SLOT volunteers 6 girls requested financial assistance for swimming lessons and have now also started paddling.
In total Fiona has had 21 people in canoes with 14 currently paddling. 3 of the young men have been down the Upper Umgeni and gained their River Proficiency.
Fiona is now being assisted by Neil Huntley on Tuesdays and Tim Biggs on Wednesdays with coaching. We are also working closely with Natal Canoe Club as we use their premises and will race under their banner.
All the equipment we have, has been donated by paddlers. The majority is old and requires a lot of maintenance. A few of the youngsters have learnt how to fix the boats and have become quite competent.
