Share

Van Gysen, Mackenzie lay down a Breede marker

accreditation
Christie Mackenzie (Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media)
Christie Mackenzie (Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media)

Robertson - With provincial K2 titles on the line and a packed month of major canoeing events looming, the race for the women's title at the Breede Rive Canoe Marathon on September 7 and 8 will see the untested combination of experienced paddlers Christie Mackenzie and Kim Van Gysen starting as the crew to beat.

Mackenzie, who rose to prominence when she won the Dusi Canoe Marathon title earlier in the year, is heading to China in October to contest for the under 23 women's K1 and senior K2 titles shortly after a challenge for the title and national K2 laurels at the Fish Marathon in Cradock three weeks before.

At both of those competitions she will be racing with Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley, but with Hartley having been away on duty with the national sprint team at the African Championships, Mackenzie has had to look around for another partner for the Breede outing.

"Kim approached me to do a dice with her and then asked if I was keen to do the Breede with her as Bridgitte (Hartley) is away on the Breede weekend," said Mackenzie.

"That dice went really well and I like how determined she is in a racing situation," she added, saying that the responsibility of driving the boat from the front seat will fall on Van Gysen's shoulders.

"Kim knows the river well, and though it isn't too technical, her knowledge of the stages mean's she can make all the decisions.

"I am feeling really confident in her ability and determination, so I am looking forward to the race.

"I also haven't sat in the back of a K2 since I was at school so it will take a bit of getting used to," she added.

Van Gysen finished third in the recent Bamboo Warehouse Push And Pull Paddle three day race, and is enjoying a solid return to racing form.

The pair will have a distinct advantage over many of the other K2 crew as they are light, and with very low water predicted for the race, their weight advantage will count heavily in their favour in the shallow rocky rapids and rock shelves.

"We are a light crew so if the river stays as low as it is at the moment it might actually play into our hands," Mackenzie added.

"She is a great person as well, and I got to know her a little better on the Push And Pull Paddle weekend."

They will not have it all their own way as the Breede attracts a number of the region's top women's crews, with names like Melanie Van Niekerk, paddling with Llundudno lifesaver Christina Geromont, Lis Hart and Romy Findlay, Angie Austin and Jess Pollock and Kim Rew and Robyn van RTooyen already surfacing on the confirmed entries list.

After the Breede showdown, she will be back in the front seat of the K2 as she prepares for the dates on the Fish River and then the global K2 title decider in China, all while trying to juggle her end-of-year exams in her psychology studies.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE