Rapid progress for Dusi fanatic
Michael Burnard aspires to equal the Dusi finishes record set by the late Graeme Pope Ellis.
18-year-old Michael Burnard has been blessed with prodigious canoeing talent and a desire to break records.
The St Dominic’s Academy pupil completed his fourth Dusi Canoe Marathon in February, in pursuit of the 15 finishes set by the ‘Dusi King’, the late Graeme Pope Ellis.
For his efforts, he earned a 315th place overall finish.
Michael, a member of the Rorke’s Drift Canoe Club, participated as a solo canoeist across the three-day Dusi, completing the marathon in 15th spot in his category.
No mean feat, considering 2014 was dubbed a doubles year for the Dusi.
Across rapids like Tombi and Graveyard, both feared and respected by wise competitors, and portage areas such as Devil’s Cauldron, Michael literally carried the weight on his shoulders.
The second day is the longest, featuring 33km of rapids, followed by a draining 12km paddle across the Inanda Dam.
Beyond the Dusi Marathon, Michael has completed the Fish River Canoe Marathon twice, and prepared for the Dusi with daily paddling and running with the canoe on his shoulders.
Confused pedestrians, his family said, have often asked him in jest where the river is.
As he continues to impress at the Dusi to at least equal Graeme Pope Ellis remarkable achievement, Michael is putting into action the canoeing experience he has built since the age of three.
He is wished luck as he goes with the flow.
