The beautiful location of St Francis Bay Village is a holiday haven. With the popularity of St Francis Paddling Club, the area has an ideal place to unwind and relax. This sporting club has many locals vying for important competitive titles and those who become members just for the love of the sport. There's nothing better than paddling through a sunrise or evening session and taking in the wonders of the serene sights on offer.
For the love of paddling
Canoe paddling/kayaking has been a competitive sport for years. The strenuous activity is often hailed as one of the most intense workouts for your entire body. Paddling can be done by those of most fitness levels and ages. The St Francis Paddling Club was established in 2011 and is used for locals and vacationers alike. The club hosts social paddles and time trials every Wednesday at 17:30 on the Quayside. Coaching is available for juniors, ladies and beginners.
Events and happenings in the world of paddling
St Francis Paddling Club regularly hosts races and events that bring the community together and provide a sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie to everyone involved. The challenges attract people from far and wide.
A quick rundown of what you can expect on the club's yearly calendar goes a little like this:
- Sporty Anderson surf ski race
- Shark Point Challenge
- Pete Marlin surf ski race (doubles and singles)
- The Paddling Shop Breakfast Series
- Port-2-Port surf ski race
- Synergy Gamtoose Canoe Marathon
The many activities available also include river preparation, proper handling of your paddle boat and timed rowing for kids and those who are interested in competing.
Breaking world records
After nearly 500 time trials by St Francis Paddling Club, a new record was set on Wednesday, June 6th! Achieving an incredible time of 38 minutes and 58 seconds, the previous record was smashed by more than two minutes! The paddlers' names are Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocke. Both are renowned in the paddling world and have gained recognition as household names over their careers. These world champions took centre stage at St Francis Bay and paddled at an average speed of 16,7 km/h for 10 km! The course included 11 corners per 5 km lap, so it was tricky manoeuvring to say the least.
They've set the bar high for this record to ever be broken, but with much enthusiasm and growing incentives, there's no doubt someone will rise out of the paddle ranks eager to take on the challenge.
Take a breather
All that paddling is bound to make anyone work up an appetite. The perfect eatery exists in the form of The Quays Restaurant. Monumentally positioned near the canal's edge, this restaurant serves outstanding seafood, scrumptious burgers, classic pizzas, crisp salads, decadent desserts and a lengthy drinks menu. Order a well-deserved craft beer or refreshing cocktail after a paddle and bring the whole family along as The Quays is kid and pet-friendly.
An outdoor lover's dream
Living, working and paddling in St Francis Bay would be an idyllic lifestyle. Whether you want to invest in a holiday home or a property you see yourself settling down in, this is the right time to do it. Seeff has a team of knowledgeable property practitioners with a list of homes to suit every budget. Contact us today.