Local Canoe Athlete Aims For Dusi

A former Hoerskool Florida pupil is hard at work preparing to compete at The Dusi Canoe Marathon next year.

Emile Theunissen has been out of action for the past two years due to his studies.

“I took time offto concentrate on my matric and first year of university. Now that I am used to the workload, I can start canoeing again,” said Theunissen.

Theunissen, who started canoeing as a sport in 2008, describes the Dusi as one of the world’s toughest endurance races.

“I was never that athletic before the sport but the toughness makes you learn about yourself. It is a really hard competition to be a part of,” he said.

The Bcom Law student decided to leave Stellenbosch University where he was studying and return home where he feels facilities for canoeing are superior.

“My last race was at the World Marathon Canoe Championship two years ago so I will need better training facilities to be able to compete with the best,” said he said.

Although Theunissen started training last month, he suffered a setback when he had to get stitches at the bottom of his foot which limited his training.

“The dusi is not about the water, you have to run with your boat as well so I couldn’t run with the stitches but I have now started running on the track and its going well,” said Theunissen.

The 20-year old athlete is aiming for a top 50 finish at the Dusi and the World Marathon Team next year.

Theunissen will take part in the Drak Challenge canoe race and the Dusi Seeding race to determine which row he will start in the competition.

The 65th Dusi, schedulued for February next year is Africa’s largest canoe marathon endurance event, from Pietmaritzburg to Durban. The event, held over three days attracts over 1500 paddlers and runs along the Msunduzi and Mgeni Rivers over a total distance of 120 kilometres.