Anderson set to bag his thirtieth Hansa Fish

Cape based "Fish" fanatic Rory Anderson will cement his place in canoeing folklore when he lines up for the start of the Hansa Fish at Grassridge dam on 7 October and the only paddler to have completed every single edition of the famous 82km race into Cradock.

As one of the pioneers of the inaugural race in 1982, Anderson moved from Port Elizabeth to the Western Cape, but his passion for the unique two-day adventure down the Fish and Brak rivers remains undiminished.

"This marathon just has the "X" factor," said Anderson. "It's difficult to put your finger on it, but the overall experience in all aspects is what does it for me."

Having completed every edition of the Hansa Fish canoe marathon Anderson believes the race has developed into the premier canoe marathon in South Africa and is ideally located with similar travel distances from most of the main centres of the country. "Along with its guaranteed water flow, it has become the canoe marathon of choice for many paddlers," he said.

The variety of obstacles, rapids and weirs from the start to finish of the marathon are just part of the reason Anderson returns to Cradock to race each year. "It's extremely well organised and there is never a dull moment throughout the two days of racing," he said.

The Simonstown based paddler recalls many memories surrounding the event which he first entered at the tender age of 23. "My earliest and one of my favourite memories was Mr Collett senior arriving at the start of the first marathon with his hunting rifle in hand, which was used as the first marathon starting gun," said Anderson. "At the outset I wasn't quite sure where he was going with such a weapon!" he laughed.

Anderson was very involved in the first marathon and establishing the interest from the local Cradock farmers and citizens of Cradock to establish the local canoe club was key to the marathons success. "I have made many friends in the area, this and also the fact that it’s a very exciting stretch of water makes it a compulsory event in my canoeing calendar," he said.

"While I am enjoying my paddling as much as I do and while I am fortunate enough to be fit to compete, I will always be at The Fish"," said Anderson.