Farrarmere resident and East Rand Kayaking (ERK) member Kyle Laxton will take part in the Dusi Canoe Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban from February 17–19.
Laxton began canoeing as a seven-year-old at Benoni Sea Scouts at Homestead dam. The now 18 years old then joined the ERK where he has been paddling ever since.
“I mostly do Canoe polo and I’m a national canoe polo player. I have done the Fish Canoe Marathon in 2019 and paddling the Dusi has been a dream of mine ever since,” he told the City Times.
The Dusi River has a number of portages. The paddlers will have to carry their boats out of the river and run or walk up and down hills and valleys.
Laxton said he is well prepared for all the challenges.
“I have been training for the last two months at ERK by doing a lot of flatwater paddling to build strength and endurance as well as to get the seat time in the boat. I have also been running a lot with my boat,” he said.
This 120km long race has three stages. The first stage is 42 km and includes 15 km of portaging. The second stage is the longest and takes the paddlers to the Inanda Dam and includes 11km of flatwater paddling. The third stage is a 36 km race towards the finish line at Blue Lagoon in Durban.
Laxton told the paper that he is ready for anything.
“I am well prepared for the Dusi as I have done all my homework on the river and the rapids as well as preparing for any eventualities by having repair kits and spare paddles and boat parts.
“With this being my first Dusi, I have spent a lot of time talking to those who have already done this epic race and gathering information and tips and tricks wherever I can.”
To prepare for the Dusi, Laxton said he took part in the Klip River Canoe race and Drak Challenge in the Underberg to build his stability in the rough water.
“With this being my first time racing in the Dusi, the goal is to complete the race and make it to Durban in one piece.”
Nine other ERK members will also be taking part in this epic three-day race that runs along the Msunduzi and Umgeni rivers.
