Paddlers training for renowned Dusi marathon

WITH the world-renowned canoe endurance race the Dusi approaching to take place from February 19 to 21, covering 120 km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, through the Valley of a 1 000 hills, Gauteng paddlers are using opportunities to prepare for the race.

The Two Day Klip race which took place on the weekend of January 31 and February 1, from Buksies Holiday Resort in Kiblerpark, covering 72 km to finish at the Vaal River junction in Three Rivers, provided excellent preparation for the Dusi, with massive white water rapids, tricky challenging obstacles, weirs, pipes to shoot through, and it doubled as the SA K1 Championship Interprovincial attracting solid competition from other provinces with substantial support for the prize money provided by CMH (Mitsubishi South).

Prizes from PolyPrint based in Southern Johannesburg, as well as H20 paddle and boat suppliers in Henley-on-Klip, were also included for the paddlers. Green Greens also provided support, as did Hansa, Lucozade and a number of private canoeing paddlers to ensure a successful event. A number of paddlers from Wemmer Pan Canoeing Club, known as the Johannesburg Canoe Club, the original and oldest canoeing club in Johannesburg, have been enjoying the exciting adventurous challenges of river racing and preparing for the world’s toughest endurance canoeing event.

The youngest competent river paddler is Alex Masina, who won the u.16 age category in the SA K1 River Championships event. Masina from Forest Hill, where he attends school, finished the white water race as the 19th single canoe in a time of 5:16.

Ryan Simonata, an experienced, well-respected river paddler, is enjoying introducing Louise Pieterse to the exciting adventurous challenges of river racing. Louise, an airhostess, makes use of every available opportunity to prepare for her first Dusi – a tough endurance event.

The pair finished the two-day race as the third double finishers, and the first Mixed Double (Male/female Combination) in a time of 5:44 minutes over the two days. The couple are resident in Mondeor, and are members of the Johannesburg Canoe Club.

One of the most experienced and active river racing paddlers, is the Chairman of the club, Gavin Steyl, who lives in Alberton, where he manages his business and who were co-sponsors of the exciting interprovincial Dusi training race. Steyl finished the two-day race as the second Master age category podium position winner, as 19th single boat against a strong field of competitors, in a time of 5:16.

The Klip River has been his environmental project for many years as he personally gets involved in helping keep the river clear, flowing and pollution-free.

With just over two weeks to go to the Dusi, the paddlers will be tapering down their extensive training programmes, building energy reserves and resting aching tired muscles, while remaining supple with light regular exercise and paddling sessions.