ONCE the Dusi gets underway on 19 February at Camps Drift, spectators will see thousands of paddlers take to the uMnsindusi River. However, one man who won’t be hard to spot on the three-day course is Durban North resident, Jody Taylor.

He will be kitted out in pink from head to toe. The ‘pinkprint’ movement also includes his canoe, which has recently had a makeover. The reason for this is Taylor will be completing his eleventh Dusi for the PinkDrive.

Besides paying tribute to Taylor’s mother, who passed away in 2013 after bravely battling breast cancer for two years, it is also about raising breast cancer awareness.

Jody and his brother, Duane, have been participating in Dusis since 2002, and in the past they have always been seconded by their mother.

“My mom was my motivation for raising awareness for the PinkDrive and this year is no different because it’s about strengthening our family’s commitment to supporting the PinkDrive initiative,” Jody said.

“I’ve been ribbed a little by paddlers about my pink get-up but it’s a bit of fun. They know that it is for a good cause.”

The former Northwood School pupil will be seconded by his friend and SA hockey player, Andrew Manson. The Varsity College hockey player also owns Totam Sports, which helped kit out Taylor’s canoe in pink.

“I knew about Jody’s PinkDrive paddle and I wanted to keep the momentum going. It’s my first experience as a seconder at the Dusi and I’m going to be wearing pink and supporting Jody all the way,” Manson said.