Currie adds some Dusi spice
Craig is fairly certain he can get the 'big guy' down the river in one piece.
THE annual Dusi canoe marathon starts today (Thursday) and a number of South Coast paddlers will be taking on the rapids, rocks and roads.
First-timer Donovan Currie will be among the ‘fish and chips’ making their way from Pietermaritzburg to Durban over the three days.
Don enjoys his cricket, a bit of tennis and the odd game of golf, but paddling?
Not a man of many words, he was at something of a loss to explain.
“I don’t really know why I have decided to do it,” he laughed.
He has been strategic in his planning, however.
“I’ve roped in Craig Rhodes as a partner as he’s done it a few times,” he explained.
“We’d been talking about it a bit last year, and so did the Fish River race which went okay,” he said.
It seems the real truth is that the reason they’re doing the Dusi is something quite different.
“It’s comes after a silly New Year’s bet with our wives,” laughed Craig.
Yes, the two had been discussing it, but the wives, quick to chirp, ‘suggested’ they ‘would never do it’.
And so here we are …
Craig last did Dusi about 12 years ago. This will be his 11th altogether and he’s pleased that a fair amount of water will be released during the race.
“Don and I are paddling fit, not really runners,” he said. “After being very wobbly in the boat on day of the Fish, he has come on in leaps and bounds,” he added.
With drought across the land, this year’s Dusi will see competitors possibly having to do a lot more portaging.
“I know there have been some lovely rains which bodes well,” said Craig.
“It’s going to be hard work, no doubt. I’m fine with the paddling but the running is not my strong point,” said Don.
Veteran Willie Kunz won’t be paddling this year. “I couldn’t find a competitive partner so just decided to give it a skip this time,” he explained.
In other news Rudi Bense will be paddling with his nephew Denzil. Rudi’s son Dylan will be racing with Daniel Muller-Nedebock.
Simon Heaver and Patrick McNeill (now based in Westville) will be having a crack at it again.
Dan Cole, son of past Dusi competitor Richard and a student at UCT, is also taking on the rapids for the first time.
And Beth Stott, who paddled with her multiple past Dusi champion son Ant last year, will be taking a break this year!
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