[PHOTOS] Dusi-doers show guts to claim glory

A combination of fitness, stamina, desire and sheer determination was the minimum requirement to at least complete this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon, let alone achieve one’s personal goals.

Paddlers in this year’s marathon left it all on the river, a year that each paddler will remember in time to come.

The middle of February every year sees paddlers take to the Umsindusi River in sweltering heat and a great flow of water. This year was slightly different.

The heavens opened up on Wednesday afternoon and continued throughout the night and into the start of day one. Much to the delight of the paddlers, but not so much for their seconds, they were sent off on their 120km journey in ‘cool’ conditions – or so it seemed.

The 43km of day one – with more than 10km of portages – saw treacherous under-foot conditions due to the continual rain, so much so that paddlers at some stage were immobile until assisted by fellow paddlers.

The camaraderie among paddlers was jovial for the majority of the time, however, frustration started to sneak in as the day progressed.

Day two – the longest of the three days at 46km – takes paddlers into the infamous Inanda Dam and the love-hate conditions of day one disappeared and the weather returned to typical 35-degrees, blazing hot and humid.

Together with the heat, paddlers faced 36km of some of the most technical rapids the Dusi has to offer, before being welcomed by the 10km dam crossing, which actually feels like 20km. It’s a flat water paddle that tests every paddler’s strength – both mentally and physically.

This day claimed the most casualties of the three in damaged and broken boats, dehydrated contestants and more than a handful of paddlers experiencing the traditional ‘Dusi guts’.

The overnight rest was non-existent for some, with the effects of the less than favourable river bacteria keeping them close to the porcelain throne.

Disappointingly, this would have a disastrous effect on the short 36km day three stretch and ultimately the final positions. With all the trial and tribulations, the finish banner at the bottom end of Blue Lagoon was a welcomed site for everyone and the start of new strategies for the 2017 Dusi.

The title sponsor adequately tagged the event as ‘We get why you paddle’. It’s never too late to start.

Well done to the complete field of paddlers on completing the 2016 Dusi Canoe Marathon and, more importantly, a big shout out to the seconds. Without them paddlers would not have survived, even if they did get stuck in the mud from time to time.

Next week is the 31st paddling of the Non Stop Dusi, with all three days crammed into one. Good luck to all who will take the test in ultra-marathon paddling.

Results: Sixth Carl Folscher and Ant Stott (K2 senior) 8.16.29; 17th Trenton Lamble and Brent Chiazzari (K2 senior) 9.05.35; 26ht Konrad Karcz and Matthew Collins (K2 senior) 9.44.50; first Jenna Ward and Vanda Kiszli (K2 U23) 9.50.02; 30th Keagan Kruger and Brett Hadiaris (K2 senior) 9.53.30; 46th Andrew Jones and Michael Lake (K2 senior) 10.57.27; second Kerry Segal and Julia Trodd (K2 U23) 11.45.24; eighth Gary O’Connor and Rory Taylor (K2 SM) 11.53.23; 18th Gene Prato and Neil Vorster (K2 U23) 11.53.56; ninth Marcel Gerhard and Gary Albers (K2 M) 12.02.15; 12th Craig Mcintosh and Skye Prato (K2 SM)12.30.45; fifth Ross Fountain (K1 SV) 12.49.04; 109th Ashley Espitalier and Bevan Carr (K2 senior)13.52.32; 24th Quinton Rutherford and Bryan Taylor (K2 SM) 13.59.30; 13th Geremy Cliff and Gavin Smith (K2 SGM) 14.06.00.