Boksburg paddlers tackle Dusi training
With the 65th Dusi River Race scheduled for February next year, paddlers are using fuller rivers following the recent heavy rains, to do some training for the world’s largest canoe marathon endurance event held from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
The inaugural winner of the race, Dr Ian Player, who recently passed away age 87, was one of the first adventurers to scout and complete this section of river; winning the race in 1964 in homemade boats fashioned from wood and canvas.
With no dams or water releases in those days, and the easily damaged heavy boats, the paddlers had to carry them around many rapids, hence, the endurance reputation.
Despite the fact that the current Dusi is still a serious endurance event where paddlers have to carry their boats around specified rapids in the Dusi tradition, there is nevertheless much more water available from dam water releases making the river race much more fun.
The Gauteng paddlers enjoyed the fuller Klip River on Sunday, November 30.
It was part of the Dusi training in a 34km race hosted by Florida Lake Canoe Club in Meyerton, which included a 2.5km section where they practised their portage training while carrying their boats along a dirt road next to the river.
East Rand Kayak club member Johan Cronje partnered with novice Frith Cooper to finish the race in three hours and 14 minutes – both are residents of Boksburg. – @SabeloBoksburg
