Voted the best organised race of the year by the Gauteng Canoe Union.

The Mec received personal interviews on three separate television networks. There were more development paddlers participating in the challenge than any other race on the calendar.

Introduction
The 2007 Vaal Challenge event was a sporting event that will be remembered as an event that was well organized and supported by the athletes unions and sponsors... With many various aspects that needed to be coordinated there were some problems, which we have identified, but the overall perception of the event by all of the parties involved was positive and encouraging. The event was also well received by the canoeing federations and clubs; to date we have received numerous compliments from many different sources congratulating us on the event. Everybody has been proud to be associated with the event and expectations are running high for this years challenge. As the organizers we have identified certain areas that we feel can be improved upon for next years challenge. We have highlighted these areas and suggested possible solutions aimed at improving the event and growing it as a national event which is in line with our original planned strategy over the next three to four years.

Event highlights
- Participation by the Gauteng department of sports and recreation.
- The most sponsored event on the canoeing calendar with over 14 different sponsors supporting the event.
- Increased entries by athletes especially in line with our mandate of focusing on development.
- Increased media exposure of the event from 1 million to more than 3 million.
- Federation recognition of the event status by all provinces...officially recognized as a grand prix event.
- Recognition by the Duzi and Fish organizers of the event status.
- The only event on the calendar to attract all of the countries top athletes at a single event.
- No late entry fee charged to athletes. A first for canoeing countrywide.
- Full recognition of female athletes...the only federation event to do this.
- Full recognition of husband and wife, parent and sibling teams...the only event to do this.
- Received the best organized race of the year trophy by the Gauteng union.
- International participation of athletes in the event...a first for the challenge.
- International interest received from Australia/Poland.
- Sms batch conformations a first for Gauteng.
- Increased involvement of local companies as suppliers.
- Introduction of development project in the Vaal region.
- Introduction of catfish awards to senior athletes.
- Increased revenue generated for the Vaal region.
- Increased tourism generated for the Vaal region.
- Conformation of ongoing sponsorship by all sponsors participating for 2008 event.