DESPITE dire predictions of low water levels due to drought conditions and expectations of the toughest Dusi in 60 years, the heavens opened and it rained throughout the three days of the world’s toughest canoe endurance marathon, the 2016 FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.
The 120km race, which took place over three days between Pietermartizburg and Durban, saw paddlers holding their own as they braved the rough water, highly challenging rapids and portages up and down muddy slopes and steep hills.
A number of paddlers from the South, members of Johannesburg Canoe Club based at Wemmer Pan, enjoyed the challenge, including Gavin Steyl from Alberton, who partnered with Ian Walker, to finish in 99th position and sneaked into the top 100 in a time of 10:59 over the three days.
Alex Masina and Peter Chissano finished as the 14th u.23 pair, in a time of 11:27, in 120th position, while Mike Forshaw, with first time Dusi paddler Shane van Dam, came in at number 393, in a time of 14:21.
