South African paddler Saskia Hockly has been grabbing headlines throughout the year, which saw her included in the Top 10 gsport Annual List of Newsmakers for 2022.
Hailing from Umdloti in KwaZulu-Natal, Hockly has been dominating competitions on both the local and international front, which also saw her win a second consecutive Junior Sportswoman of the Year title at the KZN Sport Awards.
For her outstanding efforts, the 18-year-old rubbed shoulders with A-list South African athletes at #GAL2022, an occasion which she describes as “amazing”.
Highlighting her career achievements to date, Hockly says making it to the Top 5 in her first ever singles Dusi Canoe Marathon, earning silver alongside her sister, Valma-Jean and walking away with a World Surfski title where she finished in the Top 10 senior women stand out on her list.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Hockly chats more about her love for sports and the growth of canoeing in South Africa.
Saskia, thank you for chatting to us! Firstly, congratulations on being named in the Top 10 gsport Annual List of Newsmakers for 2022. What did you think of the event?
It was such a beautiful lunch and I’m so happy to be able to have attended my first ever Newsmakers event!
What does this event mean to women in sport?
I think it is a very amazing initiative! It is so amazing to see women in sport finally getting the recognition they deserve and I hope that in the future, women’s sport will grow bigger and bigger.
Recently, you were awarded Junior Sportswoman of the Year. How does it feel and what does it mean to win such a prestigious accolade?
To be honest, it was a big surprise when I heard about it as I was still in Portugal at the time, but I am so very happy to have won it again for a second year in a row. It really tells me that my hard work is being noticed by the province and the people who support me are acknowledging my progress in the sport I love.
Let’s take it back. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from.
I am an 18-year-old varsity student who loves to paddle! I enjoy being out and about and socialising is a major aspect of my daily life. I grew up in Umdloti, KZN and led an active life from a very young age from seconding my dad at the Dusi or Comrades and I’ve been part of the Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club for almost 11 years now. I enjoy the outdoors and seeing new places.
When and where did your love for sport begin and why canoeing?
I have grown up watching my parents and family do sport. My dad has done 25 Dusi marathons and my mom a few as well. They both super active people in various sports and I started out as a nipper with the ROX crew at age 8. I wanted to begin paddling as practice for the U15 age group in lifesaving as surfski gets incorporated into the sport from that age group. I began learning and then transitioned into a flatwater kayak. My love for the sport was sparked at the Wall and Back series drum by Dave Harker where I paddled with my dad for my first proper race.
Who are some of the sportswomen you admire and why?
I’ve always aspired to be as good as people like Michelle Burn (my training partner), Hayley Nixon and Bridgitte Hartley, both on and off the water. They’ve always been people I’ve admired and strive to become as competitive as.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
I did struggle during the Covid pandemic to stay motivated, but I pictured myself in the future and that motivated me more than ever! I knew what work it took to become the best at what I do, and I made a plan to always fit in the sessions. My coach also was super encouraging and supportive during those times.
You just got back from Portugal and congratulations on representing the country well. It must’ve been one of your career highlights but what else would you say are some of your career achievements to date?
It most certainly was! Some of my career highlights to date are top 5 in my first ever singles Dusi, my silver medal with my sister in the junior k2 this year and obviously my world title in surfski this year where I also finished in the top 10 senior women!
How was it for you competing on the world stage and doing as well as you did, winning medals?
It was special because it was the first time in four years that the whole world was able to congregate in Portugal to race and showcase their work. Competing on the world stage is always so amazing as you are able to showcase your work from the year and race for the title! Winning medals in a field of that caliber is always very humbling.
What did you take away from the competition and also teaming up with your sister?
I learned that doing the average is never enough and if you want to take shortcuts or you don’t feel like doing a session, think again because there is always somebody who wants that medal as badly as you do! Being able to team up with my sister and race onto the second step is one of the best memories I have, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Not many people are familiar with canoeing. What do you think needs to be done to give it more coverage here in South Africa?
Canoeing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. South Africa has always had a rich paddling community and it is also a fast-growing sport here. I think people should start appreciating it and giving it a chance through live-streaming major events and possibly sponsoring the larger events.
What’s your greatest career ambition?
I would love to try and see if I can one day make it to the Olympics and I would also love to win a senior world surfski title.
What’s your advice to young girls who aspire to get into sport?
I would say, never let somebody else tell you that you’re not good enough or that it’s a far fetched goal! Nobody knows your capabilities better than yourself and if you want something bad enough, nothing is ever too hard or ever faraway enough to stand in your way.
Photo 1 Caption: South African canoe athlete Saskia Hockly pictured at the 2022 gsport Annual List event where she was included in the Top 10, at Workshop 17 in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 7 December. Photo: Nokuthula Mbatha / (c) gsport
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