Olympic stars help develop canoeing in S. Africa

JOHANNESBURG, May 13 (Xinhua) -- With less than four months to go before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, two of SA's top sprint paddlers continue to make time in their demanding training schedules to help and support the sport of the country.

Jen Hodson and Shaun Rubenstein are among the canoeing sprint stars that shone for South Africa at the World Flatwater Canoe/Kayak Championships in Duisburg, Germany last year.

They claimed accolades for being among the first South African sever to achieve direct Olympic qualification for canoeing at a World Championship event, and have spent each day since then making sure that they are 100% prepared.

Both have remained unwavering in their dedication to the uplift of the sport of canoeing in South Africa, despite the hectic physical and psychological demands of achieving their Olympic dreams.

They continue to offer regular training and mentoring to members of Sowe to Canoe and Recreation Club, which aims to teach local children how to swim, and provides them with an opportunity participate in various water-sports.

With a vision of becoming the major development force of canoeing in South Africa, SCARC not only endeavors to promote, develop and coordinate the sport of canoeing for previously disadvantaged individuals at both a social and competitive level, but also creates a positive platform from which its members are able to strive for more than just canoeing excellence.

"Providing our aspirant young club-members with opportunities to interact with role-models that are among the upper echelons as athletes and humanitarians raises the bar in terms of what they can aspire towards achieving," said SCARC co-chairman Brad Fisher.

"To train with and learn from Jen and Shaun undoubtedly makes these kids' dreams of achieving the impossible seem more within reach," he said.