With the FNB Dusi River Race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban through the Valley of 1000 hills scheduled for mid February, paddlers are enjoying the river races being hosted specific to help them train. According to Gauteng Canoe Union’s Jennie Dallas, river levels rose due to the rain and the Vaal Barrage below the Vaal Dam was releasing superb amounts of water. This made for a fast, exciting and exhilarating race last weekend (14 January).
Paddlers from Florida Lake Canoe Club (FLCC) competed in the race, which started at the Smilin’ Thru River holiday resort, 7km up-water from Parys, with a 3km portage around the weir on the entry to Parys.
“With some 20km through the town to Hadeda Creek boasting highly technical enjoyable rocky rapids similar to those found on the Umsindusi River, the race, hosted by Malcolm Stothard of Set Kayaks/Paddles, was perfect for the training paddlers,” said Jennie.
The top three finishers completed the tough race in preparation for the world’s toughest endurance canoe marathon, in times of 2:02. Some paddlers were over 60 years of age, some juniors, some less fit, some who plan to do their first Dusi as it is a bucket-list item – most of them from various clubs and areas in Gauteng, participating in the race for training purposes. .
FLCC’s Melusi Nxumalo has partnered with fellow Florida paddler Douw Kruger who sponsors his expenses because the highly talented canoeist is among the numerous unemployed youths in SA. They have done numerous races together, including the Fish River Marathon. They finished the race as the first double/ K2 boat on the highly technical tricky rocky section of river in a time of 2:29, which is quite an achievement.
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