Bright paddling stars, Ryley Smith and Jared Shrimpton, scooped up gold, silver and bronze medals at the SA Marathon Championships nationals, earning elite status in the world of canoe marathon racing!
Hout Bay, South Africa (24 June 2025) – Two Hout Bay paddlers, Ryley Smith and Jared Shrimpton, are continuing to make waves in the world of canoe marathon racing, building on a string of impressive achievements with yet another standout performance at the SA Marathon Championships held recently in Upington.
Ryley delivered a truly dominant performance at the national championships, clinching a gold in the K2 doubles, a silver in the thrilling Short Course, and a hard-fought fifth in the K1 singles. Not to be outdone, Jared also impressed, bringing home two bronze medals in both the K2 doubles and K1 singles, showcasing incredible strength and consistency across both team and solo events.
Their performances further earned them selection for the South African Junior Men’s Team to compete at the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Győr, Hungary. Ryley has been chosen to participate in the Long Course K2 event, while both Ryley and Jared will race in the Short Course event – a remarkable achievement and a clear reflection of their place among the country’s elite young paddlers.
Their outstanding achievements don’t stop there! Ryley’s versatility has earned him an additional selection to represent South Africa at the 2025 Olympic Hopes Canoe Sprint event in Racice, Czech Republic.
Busi Ngcwama, Head of Sport at Camps Bay High School, where Ryley and Jared attend, shared her pride in both teen paddlers.
“We are incredibly proud of Ryley and Jared. Being named to the national team is one of the highest honours in South African paddling, signifying not only athletic excellence, but also the ability to compete and thrive under international pressure.
“It places Ryley and Jared among a small group of athletes chosen to represent the nation on the world stage, where the competition is fierce and the standard, world-class. To see two of our learners earn this honour again is extraordinary. Their success shows what’s possible when talent meets hard work, and they continue to be inspiring role models in our school community. We’ll be cheering them on all the way to Hungary.”
Sources: Supplied
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