Lanseria resident and partner finish Dusi in gruelling 13 hours, 31 minutes
A resident from Lanseria and his partner managed to finish this year's Dusi in 13 hours and 31 minutes over the three days.
Taking on the Dusi canoe river race is bravery in itself, but to complete it can be considered inspirational.
John Cunningham from Lanseria and his partner Claude Nish achieved this feat when they completed the 2021 MyLife Dusi annual canoe river race as the 117th K2 and 33rd Sub Master age category finishers in a gruelling time of 13 hours 31 minutes.
The well-known MyLife Dusi runs from Pietermaritzburg on the Umsundusi River over a three-day period to finish in Durban 120km later.
Jennie Dallas, Gauteng Canoe Union spokesperson said this year’s race took place from 18 to 20 March and covered some major Grade 2 rapids as well as numerous portages where the paddlers had to take their boats out of the river and run around the more dangerous non-navigable rapids while carrying them until they can put them back into the river – the portages at a Dusi, depending on the water level, can be up to 18km.
“The river winds through the Valley of 1000 hills in Zululand, and attracts many supporters to cheer on the paddlers as they run through rural villages, carrying their boat with seconds at their side in some cases, providing refreshments in the hot Dusi Valley sun.”
According to Jennie, the participants in the first-ever Dusi marathon event were a group of ex army paddlers led by Ian Player (Gary’s brother) in canvas/ wooden boats. They were required to carry their boats around certain rapids and gorges, as without dams in 1965 there were no water releases to enable the boats passage, causing damage.
“There are frequent and numerous boat casualties. Boats are broken against the rocky rapids in fast waves and currents, and many boats limp and leak, or are dragged by their paddlers in pieces across the finish line.”
