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0 viewsThe Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) was founded 6 years ago by a few passionate paddlers who wanted to introduce disadvantaged youth in Soweto to watersports. Inspired by the vision of providing ‘Empowerment and growth through sport’, the club aims to not only teach residents of Soweto how to swim and participate in watersports, but also to develop crucial life skills that will assist its members in becoming economically active in their chosen fields.
Since then, it has grown into a robust and sustainable club that is run by several dedicated volunteers covering everything from coaching and mentoring to education and feeding programmes. The club has also been adopted as the ‘development arm’ of Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, which is South Africa’s largest canoe club, providing further support and long-term sustainability.
The foundation phase of the programme ensures that members receive their basic swimming proficiency, after which they are introduced to both flat water and river racing. They train every day of the week in Soweto, do time trials at Emmarentia Dam in Johannesburg on a Thursday night, and race on the weekend. It is here that the aspiring paddlers have an opportunity to interact with a broad mix of society from top sportsmen to top business men, exposing them to a side of life they would never otherwise experience. So it’s no surprise that they are accelerating through the ranks at a local, national and international level. Some are even being touted as the next Dusi winners and Olympic material.
SCARC is more than just a sports club or a swimming program, it is a powerful platform that is touching and changing the local community. It is evidence of the enormous untapped talent. it is proof of the hunger within our youth to transform their futures. And it is a testimony to our capacity as individuals to make a positive contribution to the future of our country.
If you’d like to get involved, please go to //www.streetpoleads.co.za/community/scarc.php