PADDLERS across Durban helped raise thousands of rands for the Shongweni Nature Reserve with this year’s Shongweni67 paddle.

One athlete who was firmly behind helping out with fundraising was Durban North paddler, Hayley Nixon.

Nixon partnered with Hillary Bruss to paddle at the event and show support for Greg Vogt, who started Shongweni67 in 2019 to raise funds for the reserve.

The initial event, which was due to take place on July 18, was postponed due to the KZN unrest.

Paddlers united behind the reserve to help raise more than R80 000.

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“There are a few reasons why I felt I needed to get involved. Over the last few years there has been a bit of lack of me getting involved in community projects mainly because I’ve been so focused on racing. Knowing this year I was out of the competitive race mode I decided it was about time I gave back. That was hugely important for me. I’ve grown up on game farms, so the idea of conservation and looking after our lakes, dams and reserves has always been important for me.

“Shongweni Dam is an unbelievable training venue and so many of our paddlers in the greater Durban area make use of it. I mean, how many paddlers get to train with wild animals on the side of the dam? We need to preserve and conserve these types of spaces as they are vitally important. I partnered with Hillary Bruss this year and we both wanted to be there for Greg Vogt. The paddling community is quite a close-knit one. A huge shout out needs to go to Garth Schonewolf who paddled more than 100km in this year’s challenge. He was a huge contributor and motivator in this fundraising initiative,” Nixon said.

The funds raised at this year’s event will go towards various projects including the establishment of an operational aquaculture pilot project to train five future trainers/teachers in aquaculture.