Tugela’s most famous race turns 46

Rafters and adrenaline junkies who are looking for a bit of fun in the water can start preparing for the Tugela Raft Race.
This year is the 46th anniversary of the famous Mandeni crowd drawer, which is organised by Mandeni Round Table and the Mandeni municipality.
Round Table’s Donavan Paton said the race was about more than the 17km of rafting pleasure, but also about ordinary people setting new challenges and pushing themselves to achieve extraordinary results.
Mandeni communications officer, Mduduzi Manzi said this year’s theme is Battleship and promises to be a great three day party.
“It is going to be a mix of rapids, flat water sprints, punishing portages and temperatures that exceed 30°C, the race chases through the Tugela River to the mouth of Tugela Beach,” said Manzi.
The 2014 edition of the Tugela Raft Race will take place from March 28 to March 30 in the camping site at Mandeni Sport Club.
“With two hours on the river, there is time to stop, bandage wounds to bodies and boats, enjoy a drink under the African sky and time to enjoy the mixture of good people who makes the race an unforgettable experience and adventure,” said Paton.
The cost is R850 per raft with two to 12 crew members per raft and those who are not into rafting can ride a tube for R150 per tube.
Companies entering three or more rafts will pay R600 per raft and camping is free of charge with basic showers and toilets available.
Mandeni Round Table, Inter waste, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the Mandeni municipality and sponsors such as the Renckens and Enterprise Ilembe will be responsible for cleaning the Tugela River after the race.
“We urge all rafters to respect the river and not to leave polystyrene and other waste in the water. We also ask participants to assist us in our clean up after the race by donating money towards this effort, your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated” said Paton.
For information contact Mduduzi Manzi on 032 456 8200/ 078 655 1347 or Phumulile Mhlongo on 073 175 3650.