ANDREW and Stuart Fraser, who hail from the South/Alberton areas and are members of the Wemmer Pan-based Johannesburg Canoe Club, are ready to take on the FNB Dusi challenge on February 15, 16 and 17.
The Dusi runs from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on the Umgeni, then the UmsinDusi river, through the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
The world’s toughest canoeing endurance event has been running annually since 1965, covering a distance of some 120 kilometres over a three-day period. What makes the race so challenging are the many kilometres of running or walking with the boat that are required in order to skirt some enormous rapids and drops.
Last year, due to the drought conditions, no water was released from any dams, and the paddlers literally walked or scraped their way on the third day from Inanda Dam to Durban through the heat of the valley – a true endurance test.
The Fraser brothers took on the recent 64km Two Day Klip race hosted by their club, with a number of portages to run over the two days, and also participated in the Dabs Duzi Jozi Jol on February 4, where they also practised their running to build up their stamina.
The latter race, at Emmarentia Dam, was 15 kilometres broken by a 3km portage through the park adjoining the dam, and was keenly contested by a very strong Dusi training group of participants.
The two brothers finished the Dabs Duzi challenge in 1:41 as the 13th K2 (double kayak) across the finish line – and were looking strong and cheerful.
We wish them luck on their Dusi challenge next week.
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