Together, they boast more than 11 years of experience on the water. Kobus, who works in the Maintenance and Facilities Department on the campus in Vanderbijlpark, has been competing for the past eight years, while Caroline joined him on the water in 2016.

 

The couple started to compete as a veteran mixed-double team in 2017 and did so well that they represented South Africa in the world championships, winning their division.

 

Local competitive calendar

 

Most recently, they took to the water for the Gauteng Marathon Championship.

 

Kobus was the second finisher in his age category, completing the 23 km race with five portages in an hour and 46 minutes.

 

Caroline finished first in her age category, completing her 17,5 km race in one hour, 42 minutes.

 

This race kicked off the racing season and offered canoeists a valuable training opportunity to prepare for major upcoming races, including the Liebenbergsvlei Canoe Marathon and the gruelling Fish River Canoe Marathon at the end of September. This year will see Caroline take part in her first K2 Fish River with Kobus.

 

Sights set on the world’s waterways

 

Asked what the couple are working towards in the 2019 season, Kobus says they are on course for the next world championship in 2020 in Norway.

 

They are convinced they are ready as they have trained hard since the 2017 world championship, when Caroline was a novice. “If we could manage to win our division and be placed fifth overall, can you imagine what we could accomplish after a year of intensive training?” asks Kobus.

 

The couple practises twice a day, six days a week and are members of the NWU Watuni Canoe Club.