Dabulamanzi Canoe Club (Dabs) paddlers were among the many who battled the currents of the Msunduzi River.

Read more: The Dabulamanzi Canoe Club paddler and her pursuit of greatness

They traveled through the scenic views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, ending at uMngeni River’s Blue Lagoon in KwaZulu-Natal, all with the ambition to come out on top in the 2026 Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Gauteng top finishers were members of the Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) Siseko Ntondini and Benjamin Mntonintshi, who finished the race in fifth place in 07:32:00. Dabs paddlers Jacques Theron and Piers Cruickshanks finished 11th overall, first in the 50–54 age category in a time of 07:51:00.

Robert Crichton and Marco Magni were the 16th boat across the finish line, in a time of 08:07:00, second in the 40–44 age category, while fellow paddlers Mark Garden and Sibusiso Chwayi finished in 09:01:00, the 33rd boat to cross the finish line, and the 18th senior pair to finish.

Also read: Dusi Canoe Marathon dreams begin at Dabulamanzi Canoe Club

This was Matthew Cockram’s fourth Dusi, which he partnered with Sikhanyisele Dekeda. Together they finished the race in 09:20:00, fifth in the U23 category.

The paddlers were sure filled with confidence and determination to be able to achieve these times. They overcame obstacles and rapids, as many other paddlers withdrew due to injury, boat damage, and the likes, which is not unusual on this challenging river.

SCARC members train regularly at Dabs as a partnership, and many of their members are extremely competitive, providing good competition for the local Dabs members and good partnerships for major events.

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