WITH a life-changing first three months of 2020, Dusi Canoe Marathon winner, Khumbulani Nzimande, is using the lockdown as a chance to recharge and come out firing into the second half of the year.
Khumbulani teamed up with Andy Birkett and the duo grabbed a win in the three-day Dusi Canoe Marathon at the end of February.
The result catapulted the 24-year-old into the paddling spotlight.
He showed his versatility at the N3TC Drak Challenge where finished fifth overall in testing conditions on the uMzimkhulu River.
With the lockdown playing havoc with any sort of training regime, Khumbulani has chosen to utilise the time to help around the house and get himself aligned for a busy second half of 2020, should racing resume.
“I am helping my father with his five cattle and it has become almost a full-time job because we have to try and keep them healthy,” he said. “There is also a garden at our house that I am looking after, so I am trying to keep as busy as I can. I do try and do some exercise but it is quite difficult with the current situation.”
Andrew Booyens, who coached both Andy and Khumbulani to their Dusi win, has been in touch with the youngster and tried to make sure that he stays busy during the lockdown.
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While there is no certainty on the ending of the lockdown, Khumbulani hopes top resume training soon.
“I cannot wait to get back in my boat and onto the water,” he enthused. “I am trying to keep myself motivated during this lockdown. The year has started really well for me, so I am quite frustrated with the current situation but there is nothing I can do to change that so I need to look forward. I would like to do the Berg again this year and then it is the Fish Marathon. There is a lot to focus on.”
Khumbulani has completed four Berg’s in his career and knows the grueling four-day race through the Swartland entails.
“If the Change a Life Academy does manage to race the Berg, there won’t be too much time to prepare so I might use it as part of my training for the rest of the year. The Fish is a race that I enjoy and I want to do well this year in my K1. A lot of people don’t like the rapids, but I love them. The Fish as a great way for me to improve my river skills,” Khumbulani added.
The ambitious youngster looks forward even further as the 2021 Dusi Canoe Marathon is already on his mind.
“Following in Dusi legend, Sbonelo Kwela’s footsteps, Khumbulani has shown what a whole bunch of hard work, discipline and pushing your limits can achieve,” said the Change a Life Academy’s founder, Martin Dreyer. “His recent Dusi victory has stoked the coals among the Change a Life youngsters, that achieving your dreams is possible.”
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