Paddlers gear up for Dusi
The East Rand Kayak Club (ERK) hosted the ERK Dusi Flat, at the Homestead Dam-based club on Saturday, February 1.
The Dusi Flat serves as final preparation for paddlers from across Gauteng, who will be taking on the challenging Dusi Canoe Marathon, from February 13 to 15.
A number of races were held in the morning, and the main race, a 22km with two 2km portages (running with the boat), was claimed by Soweto Caneo Club’s Loveday Zondi and Thando Ngamlana, in their K2 canoe.
They were followed by fellow Soweto Canoe Club paddlers Tom and Thembinkosi Ngcobo.
A school league race was held after the main race, with over 100 paddlers competing.
The races were sponsored by the Ekurhuleni Metro, who ensured that the participants received embroidered hand-towel giveaways, food and drinks, prize money and medals.
The Gauteng development and integration programmes have proved extremely successful, as evidenced by the high numbers of top finishers and age-group category winners in the younger ages, particularly among the previously disadvantaged and Sowetan-based club.
A 25-member contigent of ERK paddlers will be taking part in the Dusi.
