Dabs paddlers join forces with other club paddlers to prep for Vaal River Marathon

This river race is a seeding marathon for the much anticipated Dusi Marathon.

October 18, 2023

Neo Phashe 1 minute read

Sylvia Nel and Wayne Taylor on the river.

Dabulamanzi Canoe Club and the Johannesburg Canoe Club based at Wemmer Pan are currently organising a Dusi seeding race to take place on the Vaal River on November 18 and 19.

Sylvia Nel, Wayne Taylor and Johan Grabe take a break.

Dusi is described as a historic 120km river race that has taken place annually from Pietermaritzburg to Durban since the 60s. On September 30, organisers Elandrie Zietsman and Karen Fields, alongside Sylvia Nel from Likkewaan Canoe Club based in Parys, met to map the course of the Vaal River Canoe Marathon.

Wayne Taylor from Crocodile Canoe Club, and Johan and Bianca Grabe who are members of Benoni-based East Rand Kayak Club, also assisted with the mapping of the 37km course.

The river scouting group of Sylvia Nel, Wayne Taylor, Bianca Grabe, Elandrie Zietsman, Karen Fields, and Johan Grabe.

The trip included a quick stop to check the Goosebay Weir downriver on the way to Parys. The team were said to have been satisfied with the conditions and water levels.

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