Young paddler Isabella Strydom claims triple gold at SA Canoe Sprint Championships
Isabella Strydom of Fish Hoek High School won triple gold at the South African Canoe Sprint Championships.
Image: Supplied
A Fish Hoek High School learner has made her mark on the national stage after winning an impressive triple gold at the South African Canoe Sprint Championships.
Isabella Strydom delivered a standout performance at Roodeplaat from March 27 - 29, winning the U18 K1 category across all three sprint distances - 200m, 500m and 1000m.
Each distance tests a different skill set, from explosive speed in the 200m to tactical pacing in the 500m to endurance over 1000m.
Fish Hoek High School principal Steven Joubert said the achievement reflects both talent and dedication.
“We are incredibly proud of Isabella Strydom and her outstanding achievement at the National Canoe Sprint Championships. Winning triple gold is a testament not only to her exceptional talent but also to her dedication and perseverance,” he said.
Strydom said her introduction to sprint paddling came through her coach.
“My coach, Marcus Melck, began training us in sprinting, and I really enjoyed it and decided I wanted to get better at it,” she said.
She added that her background in lifesaving played an important role in her development on the water.
“I began lifesaving as a U15 in 2023/24, and I decided I wanted to get better at paddling, so then I started paddling, but I only started properly training paddling in October 2024 and competing in May 2025,” she said.
Her training routine reflects a steady commitment to the sport.
“I try to paddle every evening and sometimes mornings, Monday to Friday, and do one or two long paddles on the weekend, and I try to run twice a week,” she said.
Strydom went into the national championships without major expectations,
“It was very fun as it was my first sprint champs. I didn’t really go in with any expectations as I didn’t have any goals for times other than my 500m,” she said.
Of the three events, she found the shortest distance the most challenging.
Isabella Strydom, who trains regularly during the week and weekends, claimed triple gold at the national canoe sprint championships.
Image: Supplied
Her coach Marcus said her rapid rise in the sport has been remarkable, especially given how recently she began competing at this level.
“Bella has done exceptionally well, given that she is still a relative newcomer to the sport of paddling. Her recent achievements, where she won gold in all three sprint distances, are a rare feat for someone making their first appearance on the sprinting scene,” he said.
He added that careful management of her development has been key.
“One of my biggest challenges has been to make sure that Bella doesn’t do too much too soon. At the same time, her determination to excel is one of the trademarks of an intrinsically motivated athlete,” he said.