It’s been a week of rest for most paddlers now that the 2016 Dusi Canoe Marathon is done and dusted, but what is next is more unthinkable than you can imagine.
The Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon, the entire three-day marathon crammed into one day, starts at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg at 5.30am on Friday, 4 March with the leaders expected to arrive at the finish at Blue Lagoon in Durban at about 1pm.
For most paddlers, this is merely a great day out, taking in the sights they might have missed on the traditional Dusi. However, the top end paddlers tend to demolish the slightly shortened course in under eight hours.
Don’t be surprised to see the usual representation from Toti in the form of Gary Albers, Gavin Smith and Quinten Rutherford.
Next up is the treacherous Umkomaas marathon, a two-day challenge that tests paddlers’ skill and courage on some of the biggest and most dangerous rapids in KZN.
With all the focus on river paddling, don’t forget the surfski racing programme remains highly contested and hugely popular.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, 5 March – KZN sprints one, KZN champs;
Sunday, 6 March – KZN sprints two, KZN champs;
Friday, 11 March – KNCU Varsity College FNB SA schools surfski champs;
Sunday, 13 March – Traderplus Hella-Hella to Josephine’s Bridge 32km;
Saturday, 19 March – Stihl Umkomaas Marathon day one;
Sunday, 20 March – Stihl Umkomaas Marathon two;
Tuesday, 29 March – Monday, 4 April – Africa sprint champs and African Olympic qualifications at Shongweni Dam;
Sunday, 17 April – Bay Union grading race at Marine (Bay Union race one);
Sunday, 24 April – McCarthy Toyota King Of The Bay at Stella Canoe Club (Bay Union race two);
Monday, 2 May – venue TBC at Marine (Bay Union race three);
Sunday, 8 May – Lion of Africa challenge at Durban Surf (Bay Union race four);
Sunday, 15 May – Bay Union surf challenge at Marine (Bay Union race five);
Saturday, 21 May and Sunday, 22 May – coastal series race one at Scottbrugh, grading race;
Saturday, 21 May and Sunday, 22 May – KZN marathon champs at Camps Drift, PMB;
Saturday, 28 May and Sunday, 29 May – coastal series race two at Winkle.
A guppy open day will be hosted at Toti Canoe Club at the end of March. Watch the press for details.
