Paddle on down to canoe marathon

THE excitement is mounting as the Umzinyathi Canoe Club prepares for its much anticipated 50 Mile Canoe Marathon taking place on 30 November to 1 December from Henley Dam to Inanda Dam.

Most paddlers use this race as a trial for the Dusi Canoe Marathon as it is held over much of the same course and finishes at Blue Lagoon on Sunday 1 December.

“With a guaranteed release from Henley Dam and Inanda Dam currently overflowing, paddlers can expect plenty of water.

That, together with the current form of the top contenders, it bodes well for an exciting two days of racing,” said Rob McInerney, treasurer at the Umzinyathi Canoe Club.

Many of the top contenders will be honing their skills as new K2 combinations are being developed.

Competition is set to be tough as there are top contenders in the men’s field which include Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocké, Andy Birkett and Sbonelo Zondi, considered by many to be Dusi favourites. Other new combinations include Lance Kime and Michael Mbanjwa, Len Jenkins and Matt Bouman, making it likely to be a very competitive two days up front.

In the women’s race, Abby Adie and new Dusi partner Anna Adamová, will probably be the boat to beat.

“Most of the entrants will be able to just experience two days of paddling on some of the best stretches of river in the world and to top it all off they will also have the opportunity of winning one of the two latest design boats, sponsored as lucky draw prizes by Kayak Centre, among other great prizes,” said Rob.

Normal entries closed on 23 November and late entries can be done online at www.50miler.co.za.

One of the lucky draw prizes for a junior is the K1 Velox Raid, the canoe used by Hank McGregor during his winning World Marathon Championship. Hank will also autograph the canoe and present it to the winner.