Local canoeist comes out tops
"Some of the canoeist were over 60 years of age, some were juniors, some were less fit while others planned to do their first Dusi as it is a bucket list item."
With the FNB Dusi River Race scheduled for the middle of February, paddlers are enjoying the river races being hosted to accommodate their training.
Malcolm Stothard, of Set Kayaks/Paddles, hosted a 7km up-water canoe race from Parys on January 14. The race gave canoeist preparing for the Dusi the opportunity to get some more experience.
Gauteng Canoeing Union public relations officer Ms Jennie Dallas said the race was highly technical, with enjoyable rocky rapids similar to those found on the Umsindusi River.
Edenvale resident and member of the Victoria Lake Canoe Club Mark Handley took part in the training race.
Ms Dallas said Mr Handley is an experienced paddler who has participated in multiple Dusi races.
“Mark had no problems on the difficult, technical river in the fast flow and enjoyed the tough endurance portages,” said Ms Dallas.
She said Mark finished the race and was the first master age category podium finisher.
He completed the 27km canoe race with a 3km portage in a time of 2 hours 35 minutes.
“The top three canoeists finished the tough race, as preparation for the world’s toughest endurance canoe marathon, in times of 2:02,” said Ms Dallas.
She said a number of the canoeists used the race for training purposes.
“Some of the canoeist were over 60 years of age, some were juniors, some were less fit while others planned to do their first Dusi as it is a bucket list item,” said Ms Dallas.
