The newly-formed, Guyana Canoe Federation (GCF) headed by Maurice Amres has major plans for the sport locally, including the preparation of a team that will one day compete at the Olympic Games under the Golden Arrowhead.
Amres told Stabroek Sport yesterday that the sport has great potential in Guyana but need the support of all stakeholders in order to be successful. He said that the federation’s international affiliate had already sent representatives to Guyana.
“The international canoe federation has already sent representatives to Guyana along with two shipments of Canoes for us to practice,” Amres said, adding that the sport is currently aimed at those living in the riverain areas.
According to the president of the GCF, the sport, now in its initial stage, will be more effective among those in the riverain areas who may have to paddle to go to school everyday.
“It does not mean that people who want to participate from town are excluded, in fact all you need is two strong arms,” Amres stated. He said that the sport of canoeing would be hosted wherever there was a river or a creek across the country.
The GCF is a fraternity that specializes in several types of canoe events using single canoes and canoes holding 8-10 persons at a time depending on the race. Guyana will focus, for the time being, on flat-water racing using single canoes.
The flat-water single canoes are versatile and can quickly submerge and emerge to the surface, depending on the skill of the athlete. They are completely waterproof and the athlete is secured by a built-in elastic type cover using double paddlers, Amres explained.
“All we are doing now is practising. We have been to Santa Mission, Sand Hills, Aratack Missions, Demerara River, Kamuni Creek, Linden and Splashmins so far. We hope to extend our reach,” an optimistic Amres disclosed.
He indicated that the GCF is looking forward to the support of the public to assist in raising funds for promotional canoe races. He termed the “getting acquainted” exercise at Coverden Marine Club last Saturday a success.
One of the major challenges of the GCF is that of nation-wide access to boats and other equipment for interested persons to practise.
“People must be able to have access to sport and the boats necessary for practising the sport. Right now we are operating where generally people have limited access,” Amres explained while stating that the sport needs national encouragement to succeed.
The GCF is committed to hosting similar “getting acquainted with the sport” sessions until the federation is convinced that participants are capable of handling the canoes in an appropriate manner before the federation can proceed to holding competitions.
