Paddlers take on the N3RC Drak River Challenge
The N3TC Drak River Challenge is one of South Africa's biggest canoe races, held in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, in Underberg.
The race boats have beautiful scenery and clean water. With the recent rain, the river level was exciting.
The first day of the race was 38km with tricky rapids in two of the gorges – one was Glenhaven, with a reputation for shifting the lead.
Day one started at Swartburg Bridge on the intersection of the R617 and the Drak Gardens Road and finished at Hopewell Farm, across the river from Umzimkulu River Lodge.
Day 2 started at Castleburn Bridge and finished at the Swartburg Bridge, approximately a 25km stretch. The river is tricky and technical, with the notorious Black Murray being the final rapid before the finish.
Meyerton resident and frequently found on the Klip River, Uwe Schmidthaus enjoyed the fast-flowing high water level with the technical challenges, finishing as fifth in the sub grand masters age category in 4:42 minutes (88th K1).
His son Kelby (U23), who Uwe has taught and mentored for many years, tackled the technical race solo in a K1.
Both train in Henley on Klip, and with Kelby joining North West University this year, he hopes to continue paddling for the university.
Attie and Manie Visser, lifelong members at the Johannesburg Canoe Club based at Wemmer Pan, also took on the Drak Challenge, finishing as 19th K2 (double 2-man Kayak), and 13th in the master’s age category in a time of 5:05.
