Salt Rock paddler McGregor claims the spoils at FastDrak

Though victory is rarely a surprise for local paddling legend Hank McGregor, a last minute decision to enter the FastDrak challenge on December 31 was just that.

McGregor is a two-time winner of the event, so surprise is probably a stretch, but it has not been a race that he has paddled in a number years.

“Since the beaches were all closed my wife Pippa and I decided to make the trip up to Underberg,” said McGregor.

The paddle is a shortened version of the two-day N3TC Drak Challenge which takes place at the end of January and is an opportunity to train on the difficult course.

The race started quickly and a breakaway group of McGregor, Scott Little, Alan Houston and Dave Evans set a blistering pace.

Only U23 Evans could hold on as the group passed through the Underberg Gorge and a flatter section in the last gorge before the finish at Umzimkhulu River Lodge, the final battleground.

Although Evans put up a brave effort, the experience of McGregor got him over the line, despite a gash in the bottom of his kayak.

“I was limping with a boat full of water for the last 25 kilometres but that’s the Drak. You can never expect to have a clean race.”

The win proved to be the ideal finish to 2020 and he will be in strong contention for his fourth Drak Challenge title come January 30.

Andy Birkett has won the race every year since 2014, but a good performance from McGregor may mean a change is coming.

Michelle Burn held off a charge from Bridgitte Hartley and Saskia Hockly to take home the spoils in the women’s race.