Nosipho Mthembu celebrates her results with Jade Radebe. Mthembu finished 5th with Shannon Parker-Dennison in the women's race at the Dusi Canoe Marathon.
HUNDREDS of people lined the banks of the uMngeni River on Saturday to welcome in paddlers completing the Dusi Canoe Marathon.
The final day of the three-day race saw competitors paddle from Inanda Dam to Blue Lagoon near the Kingfisher Canoe Club.
This year marked the second time since 1988 that the Dusi Canoe Marathon hasn’t begun from its traditional starting point at Camps Drift (Pietermaritzburg).
In fact, it was also the second time since the first official Dusi, in 1951, that the race has not started in Pietermaritzburg.
Caxton Local Media captured some of the competitors and supporters at the finish line.
Nix Birkett with her son, Dave. Birkett finished 3rd in the women’s race with Jenna Nisbet.The Pembridge family, Ant, James and Kate, were there to support the paddlers.Liam Parker-Dennison and Elijah Symington.Nkosi Mzolo and Mfaniseni Nyambose completed their 18th Dusi Canoe Marathon.Hillcrest residents Eric and Jean Clover.Francois Hawkins made the trip down from Tshwane to support a friend paddling in this year’s race.Theo York and Owen Gandar celebrate at the finish line at the Kingfisher Canoe Club.Emma Ditcham, Alex Masina, Max Howard and Jeremy Maher.Khayelihle Ngcobo congratulates Sbonelo Dube who paddled his first Dusi.Margie Johnson and Kal Gow.Doug Tatham completed his 35th Dusi Canoe Marathon while Glenn Hilliar completed his 41st.Arge Nienhuser celebrates with James Tutton.Zane Driemeyer completed his 36th Dusi while K2 partner Don Gobey completed his 26th. The Assagay residents also paddled their 12th together.Menzi Mthembu and Maritsa Gouws finished 5th overall in the Mixed Doubles category at the Dusi.Gideon Van Zyl and Stefan Erlank from Stellenbosch enjoyed their paddle.Simon and Carol Heaver with Patrick McNeill. Simon completed his 24th Dusi and Patrick his 22nd.UK paddler James Russell with Bailey and Liam Stewart.Lorna Oliver completed her 36th Dusi Canoe Marathon, cementing her spot for the most Dusis paddled by a woman. She was joined by Durban North resident Debbie Lewis who completed her 21st Dusi.Graeme ‘Gudgie’ Dixon completed a milestone 50th Dusi Canoe Marathon. He was joined by K2 partner Rowan Ainsworth.Gerry Udoka, Sthabiso Mthethwa and Sebastian Mbude.Ken and Nicky Rodseth with Helen Rule congratulate paddlers Michaela Geytenbeek and Scott Rogers.Scott Little and Jeremy Maher finished 5th in the men’s race. They were also crowned the U23 winners.Epworth College learners, Daisy May Odell and Keira Hunter, were the first U18 K2 crew across the finish line.
