Fourways paddlers shine at Dabulamanzi event
Dabulamanzi Canoe Club hosts season opener with a strong turnout.

The 2025 canoeing season got off to a thrilling start, as the Dabulamanzi Canoe Club based at Emmarentia Dam hosted its first race of the year.
The event drew a diverse field of paddlers, from seasoned athletes training for upcoming marathons to those looking to get back in shape after the holiday season. Fourways residents were well-represented in the competition, with several local paddlers putting in impressive performances.
Also read: Fourways resident gets involved at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club
The race options were the Red race: an 8km paddle, 3km portage, and another 7km paddle, the Pink race: an 8km paddle and 3km run, with no portage of the boat, just a walk or run for fitness, and the Yellow race: an 8km paddle with no portage.

The Green race, for Guppies from ages five to 12, was a 4km paddle.
In the main 18km Red race, Fourways resident Mohammed Patel finished in 11th position with a time of 1 hour 59 minutes.
This gruelling event is a key training race for the iconic Dusi River race to take place from 20-22 February 2025.
Fellow resident Gunther Grune opted for the Pink race and finished a strong seventh in this category, completing the course in 1 hour 49 minutes.
Also read: Fourways residents among many in annual canoeing river race on Vaal River

In the Yellow race, residents Dylan and David Brown formed a formidable team, paddling to a first-place finish in the K2 (double kayak) category in 43 minutes. Their impressive performance set the tone for a promising season ahead.
Ruwan Jayakody finished the Green Guppy race in third place in 29 minutes and 46 seconds.
“The Dabulamanzi Canoe Club’s season opener marked an exciting beginning to the 2025 canoeing calendar, with many more events scheduled to take place in the coming months,” said Jennie Dallas, the media liaison of the Gauteng Canoe Union.
“With the Dusi River race looming on the horizon, local paddlers will be looking to build on their early season form and make a strong impression in the weeks to come.”
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