ExxonMobil Guyana National Schools’ Kayaking: District 7 to stage title defence this Sunday

As the teams from the various districts began arriving in Linden yesterday (Thursday), the fifth annual ExxonMobil Inter-Schools Kayaking National Championships is expected to be a water-top battle on Sunday from 11:00h at the Watooka Guest House in the mining town of Linden.
This year’s championship, which has nine events slated, follows the Inter-Schools held in May this year and will see the reigning champions District Seven (Upper Mazaruni); hosts District 10 (Linden/Kwakwani); District One (North West); District Two (Pomeroon); District Three (West Demerara); District 34 (East Coast Demerara); District Five (West Coast Berbice); District Eight (Mahdia); District Nine (Rupununi); and District 14 (St Cuthbert’s Mission) in action.
Tomorrow, the competing teams are expected to have a grand practice on the Demerara River beside the Watooka Clubhouse, where the championships are being staged.

Reaching for a comment, Dr Deon Anderson, owner of the Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, which has organised the annual schools’ kayaking championships over the years, remarked, “The events are family-orientated, so not only will there be races on the water top, but a huge kiddies’ section and children’s entertainment centre. In addition, there will be the ExxonMobil Guyana booths and other information booths about tourism and health and fully stocked bars with lots to eat and drink, including cocktails. Several flat-screen televisions will be at the venue; if you are at the bar chilling away from the front line, you will be able to see the races, and replays will also be available for the public.”
He further stated, “This year the winners will receive $500,000, second-place finishers $350,000 and third $250,000 in vouchers, where the students will be able to support their academic pursuits, and a certain percentage will be given to the district. So, it’s a win-win for the family in a beautiful day out for the regions, districts and schools to showcase your talent in this novel sport and the students. It’s an opportunity to showcase what you have in this new sport and their skillset and also get a chance to not only bragging rights and medals but also a cash voucher worth $500,000.”
Additionally, Dr Anderson noted, “So, it will be a day of events and a beautiful array of skills on the water top. Safety is our number one priority. We will be having a medical team in the water-top to accompany all races at all times and lifeguards on the water-top so that they will provide assistance and guidance to every participant and police and lifeguards and a medical booth.”
According to Dr Anderson, nine races are set for the day beginning at 11:00h with the Under-14 Mixed Double, which will be followed by the Under-16 Male Individual, Under-16 Mixed Double, Under-16 Female Individual, Male Long Distance Relay, Female Long-Distance Relay, Open Male Individual, Open Mixed Double and Open Female Individual races.