paddling Tag

Photography, Sports

The 2015 edition of the Drak Challenge was an exciting one, indeed. The water levels were touch and go but finally the decision was given to start at the normal day 1 start, at Castleburn! Great excitement for all but there was still a bit of concern lingering in the air as to whether there was indeed enough water to carry the paddlers downstream to the finish. The frantic start set the pace for the rest of the race.  With Hank, Andy and Lance setting the pace from the beginning, they were first through Pines and then down to Toilet Bowl!

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Sports

Another edition of the Ozzie Gladwin, this time the K1's are out and getting some readiness for the upcoming paddling season. Dusi 2015 is a singles year so all the contenders were out, stretching their legs and arms in anticipation for a tough season ahead. All the favourites were on the starting line, except for possible Lance Kime, the last K1 winner. But Sbonelo Khwela, Andy Birkett and Thulani Mbanjwa were in the mix and through down the gauntlett from the start. From the dam onto the river, Sbonelo and Thulani opened up a little lead on Andy as they were

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Photography, Sports

Another gruelling day, with paddlers starting at Camps Drift at 5:30am, and attempting to complete the race to DBN in one shot! The start was frantic as always, with a faster pace than last year being set by the leading two K2 boats. From Cambell's onwards it was set to be a two horse race, between Kime/Mbanjwa and Zondi/Mcgregor. These two teams stuck together until the start of day 2 when Zondi/Mcgregor started opening the gap which then slowly increased in size. The final winning margin was 20min. The ladies race between the Adie sisters and Robyn Kime (in a K1),

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Photography, Sports

The Dusi Canoe Marathon is South Africa's biggest canoeing event on the calendar each year. Some 750 boats leave the start line with clear intentions of reaching Durban 3 days later. Through thick and thin, thorn trees and long grass, hyacinth covered rivers, canoeists have to battle their way from Pietermaritzburg to Durban over 3 days, conquering the heat of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, making their way down river. Not only do they have to paddle their way to the finish, but there are designated compulsory portages, where they have to carry their canoes over hills, put in

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