Jetline Action Photo
As the only person to paddle in every edition of the Fish River Canoe Marathon, this year's 40th anniversary will be extra special for one of the race's pioneers Rory Anderson.
Since the race's inception in 1982, Anderson is the only paddler that has made the trip to Cradock every year for one of South Africa's premier river races.
From 7-8 October 2022 he will notch up a remarkable 40 consecutive Fish Canoe Marathons over 84 km and two days of paddling from Grassridge Dam to the finish alongside the Cradock sports grounds.
"It's just incredible that nothing has got in my way for 39 years and I hope that nothing gets in my way this year and I can paddle again," Anderson said.
Since his debut he has mixed up how he attacks the two day race, but in recent times the popular K3 option has been his go-to.
"A few of us bought a K3 canoe about ten years ago and that has been the most fun, and I think of the last ten Fish's I've done nine have been in a K3."
The 64 year-old Cape Town resident might not be as nimble as he once was but makes sure that he is in good enough shape to tackle the 84km race.
"I train regularly and there are a group of us that paddle every week and in the summer I am paddling in the sea more than the river," he commented.
"There is a lot of action in the Fish River with the rapids which require extra work - those rapids are exhilarating and make the race so special."
