Three generations, united and ready for Dusi

A BEREA family are counting down the hours for their big Dusi adventure when the three generations of Symingtons get into the water for the 2016 FNB Dusi Marathon.

The family of paddlers were introduced to the sport by grandfather, Des Symington (75) who started paddling the Dusi in the early 1970s. With 36 attempts and 33 completed Dusi marathons under his belt, Des says he is looking forward to this year's race because he will compete with his son Wayne (50) for the fifteenth time and it will be the first Dusi where his grandson Elijah (16) will join them in a K3 three-man canoe.

Des recalled his initial Dusi marathons being very different, “At that time, there were no canoe manufacturers and one had to construct your own, comprising a glassfibre hull and cockpit area, wooden frameworks, with the back and front packed with beach balls and covered with plastic sheeting. We had a wooden T-bar steering fixture with fixed hanging seats and rudders made from metal door hinges. Spray covers and paddles were also handmade,” he said.

During those years, Des said there were mass starts in Alexandra Park Pietermaritzburg with no female participants allowed. “The route was underdeveloped then, there was no Inanda Dam, no Springfield Park and guys got so horribly lost sometimes they'd have to sleep in the bush and pitch up the next morning. It was absolute fun, we were in the wild, no toilets, electricity but the camaraderie was spectacular. It was a real accomplishment to finish. The memories are unforgettable but the ultimate thus far is having paddled Dusi with my son Wayne, I can't wait for the pen-ultimate where my grandson Elijah joins us as a three generation three-man team,” Des added.

The retired Durbanite said it was endurance sports that captured his heart especially since he was very much an outdoorsy person. “I took advantage of all Durban had to offer running, swimming, cycling and completed 20 Comrades Marathons.”

Wayne Symington said it was his 28th Dusi and the most anticipated one. “It is going to be such a joy taking on the Dusi with my father and son. I know it will be tough, especially with it being the lowest water levels because of the drought and at least five or six hours of paddling a day but I am so blessed to be doing this with my family,” he said. Wayne said he was slightly concerned since his dad's knee replacement surgery but was very confident in the team's ability. “There always risk involved in doing the Dusi, each year the E coli levels go up, water levels go down and the sun gets hotter, it is an amazing leveler as a race- everyone is equal. I am indebted to my dad for introducing us to all these adventure sports that have bonded us. If I can be half half the father to my children that my father is to me, I will be happy,” he added.

Young Elijah has been paddling since he was five years old and has been waiting for a chance to tackle the great Dusi Challenge. “I'm schooling in Martizburg College so I'm about two minutes from the start of the Dusi. As soon as I realised we were thinking about doing the Dusi together I've been really excited. My mum Cheron has also completed a Dusi with my dad so I can't wait to race with my dad and granddad. I used to second my dad when I was younger. Doing it all together is very special,” he said.

The Symingtons will attempt to become the second crew in Dusi canoe marathon history to complete in a three generational K3 class.

Des Symington concluded, “Remember time waits for nobody and all the money and wealth in the world cannot buy you heath. I give thanks to the Almighty for my health, family and support of friends,” he added.