Four Talented Kayakers Earn Chance to Represent South Africa Internationally
Two experienced paddlers and two exciting newcomers will represent South Africa at the upcoming world championships in June and July. Durban, South Africa( 07 May 2026) – Four young... The post Four Talented Kayakers Earn Chance to Represent South Africa Internationally appeared first on Good Things Guy.
Black News 
Two experienced paddlers and two exciting newcomers will represent South Africa at the upcoming world championships in June and July.
Durban, South Africa( 07 May 2026) – Four young South African paddlers are preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime after earning selection to compete at the 2026 International Canoe Federation Junior/U23 Slalom World Championships in Krakow, Poland.
Hannah Trower, James Gotte, Jayden Davis and David Dent secured their places in the national team following strong performances at the African Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships earlier this year.
Now, with the world championships taking place from 30 June to 5 July, the quartet is hard at work balancing school commitments with intense hours of training on the river as they prepare to represent South Africa on the international stage.
For two of the athletes, Hannah and James, the upcoming championships will mark a return to world-level competition after previously representing South Africa in Foix, France last year.
The pair are expected to bring valuable experience to the team.
Meanwhile, Jayden Davis and David Dent will be making their world championship debuts.
Jayden, from Piet Retief in Mpumalanga and a learner at Treverton College, discovered his passion for kayaking after paddling more than 500km along the Tugela River during Grade 10. Earlier this year, he also claimed third place in the Men’s Open Kayak Cross event at the African Championships at just 17 years old.
While the athletes have earned their places through hard work and performances on the water, funding remains one of the biggest challenges standing between them and Poland.
The sport receives limited financial support locally, meaning athletes and their families are often responsible for covering travel, accommodation, equipment, race fees and team costs themselves.
The current fundraising campaign is mainly focused on helping cover flight expenses, while organisers say any support could make a meaningful difference.
For the athletes, the journey is about far more than competition alone.
“Kayaking is not just about the thrill, the adrenaline, the rush, the rapids and the beauty of nature,” the team shared.
Those wanting to support Hannah, James, Jayden and David on their journey to Poland can contribute through the crowdfunding link here.
Sources: Paddlesport SA
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
The post Four Talented Kayakers Earn Chance to Represent South Africa Internationally appeared first on Good Things Guy.
