College coach and under-16s excel in Drak Challenge

2 February 2023

Maritzburg College senior K1 coach Bridgitte Hartley set a superb example for her charges during the 2023 Drak Challenge, which was held on the uMzimkhulu River, near Underberg, on the weekend of 28 and 29 January.

On day one, she placed second behind Christie MacKenzie in the women’s open category, and about a minute-and-a-half clear of the third-place finisher, Saskia Hockly.

The finishing order of the top three was the same on day two, leaving Christie the winner, while Bridgitte took second and claimed the prize as the leading veteran. Her runner-up finish means the former Olympic 500m sprint bronze medallist has twice ended second and three times taken third in the past six editions of the Drak Challenge.

Scott Venniker flew the College flag high, enjoying an excellent two days and capturing first place in the under-16 age category. He was also 69th overall.

Jayden Jansen van Rensburg finished about 15 minutes behind Scott and was fifth in the age group, and 110th in the overall standings.

College also placed a third paddler in the top 10 of the under-16s, with Luke O’Connor ending ninth and in 168^th place overall.

Jack Odell was the top under-18 paddler, but was beaten by some of the under-16 College boys. He was 14^th in his age group and 151^st in the combined standings.

Simon Norton and James Gotte paddled in a K2 and finished 12^th in the doubles and 13^th among under-18 entrants.

Scott Adie and his partner, Simon Heaver, paddled in the men’s category and were 115th overall.