UKZN Student Wins Canoe Marathon Qualifier for World Champs

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College of Humanities student and former K2 World Junior Champion, Mr Louis Hattingh, won the test event at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg for the 2017 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Marathon World Championships.

‘I think it was much nicer than last year’s course for the SA Championships because we finished in a straight line, instead of coming around a corner. There was no major difference on the portage, except that paddlers had to hold their boats in their dominant hand,’ said Hattingh.

Hattingh dominated the SA Sprint Canoe Championships at Shongweni Dam in April this year where he won in the 500m and 1 000m events.

He was also an under-23 finalist in the 1 000 metres at the Junior and under-23 Sprint World Championships for 2015. His impressive list of achievements include a bronze medal for Team SA in the Junior Boys K1 World Champs in 2014.

Hattingh qualified for the ICF Canoe Sprint Juniors and U23 World Championships and will defend his title at the 2017 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Marathon World Championships.

Melissa Mungroo and Natal Canoe Club