In the last weeks of January, all rivers lead to the Dusi.
The oldest canoe club in northern South Africa, Johannesburg Canoe Club hosted the annual two-day Klip River race on January 25. Heavy rainfall had filled the river to the brim, with the high water levels creating unusually dangerous conditions. From Daleside, through Henley-on-Klip and on to Meyerton, the 33km per day route also features a gruelling 3km portage section.
Florida Lake Canoe Club’s interests were promoted by Moshe Nghomane and Warren Mckenzie. The pair partnered with Shelley Robertson in a three-person K3 kayak as they continued their preparations for mid-February’s Dusi Canoe Marathon. The race served as one of many seeding and training races scheduled for the build-up to the much-anticipated 2022 Dusi.
Centurion-based Shelley was one of only two women to participate in the race, helping Moshe and Warren to finish the two days in a time of four hours 46 minutes. The first boat across the finish line after two days of fighting furious white water rapids brought in top Benoni paddlers, Michael and his son Liam Stewart in three hours 34 minutes. Just five minutes slower, Sowetan pair Benjamin Mntoninthsi and Wongama Makasi, crossed the line as the first U/23 pair.
