Canoeists make a plan
EMMARENTIA – Canoeists paddle safely in sight of each other down Umzimkulu River.
When the annual Drakensberg FNB Drak Challenge was cancelled due to the lockdown, a small group of local canoeists decided to take on the rapids themselves.
The canoe river race on the Umzimkulu River in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal, is an exciting and challenging not-so-rocky race in the peak rain season.
Some Dabulamanzi Canoe Club paddlers had already organised to stay a few days in the mountains and did not want this opportunity to go to waste.
They paddled down the river in small groups at their own pace, for safety, despite no official race being organised.
The river level was high due to rains, and the paddlers enjoyed a few days of strong rapids in a good flow and the beautiful scenic mountain views,
The river trip provided excellent training for the upcoming Dusi Canoe Marathon, normally scheduled for end of February but shifted to late March due to the lockdown.
The paddlers kept their distance in their boats but waited for each other around corners to gather and keep an eye on each other to ensure nobody had fallen in or had problems.
They only gathered together when it was time for photos.
The canoeists enjoyed the roughly 25km training on the rapid-filled river, getting on the river near Castle Burn Lodge and exiting at the Swartberg Bridge every day.
Details: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club info@dabulamanzi.co.za; 011 486 0979.
