When he was still at school in Bothaville, his father, Frans, participated in iron man competitions. Young Kobus began rowing with his dad and, before long, began competing in triathlons.

 

A career in education and training at Correctional Services followed before he made his mark in the construction industry. During this time, he did not row. In fact, as rowing is like food to him, it was rather like a 12-year “hunger strike”.

 

Then, six years ago, when he began working at the Vaal Triangle Campus, he decided to make the most of the beautiful river flowing past his place of work. He joined the Watuni rowing club and started notching up achievements. He was for instance the first Vanderbijlpark rower chosen to represent Gauteng in three different rowing categories.

 

Always go for gold

 

“I love rowing, but I am also very competitive. Competition has always been a part of who I am, and I don't think it will ever change!” jokes this defending veteran champion of the Gauteng Canoe Marathon. In 2016 he was crowned the K2 veteran champion of the SA River Marathon.

 

Kobus, who is married to Caroline and has two daughters, Angelique and Fransie, says rowing is a full-body workout. However, much of the allure of rowing is in the beauty of the natural surroundings.

 

“You see parts of the river that very few other people do. Every river offers something unique. On the Klip River you can see how the trees change, while the Liebenberg River has the clearest water I have ever seen. On day three of the Dusi marathon you see the fish swimming underneath you. There are no boring moments on the water.”