The Dusi river race has taken place annually since early 1960’s, the first time with a small group of locals led by Ian Player (well-known golfer Gary Player’s brother) who was an environmentalist.
In those days they had large wooden boats, heavy and sluggish and with no dams for water releases.
They had to carry their boats over long sections next to the river where it was innavigable.
Hence the portages on the river following tradition, making it the world’s toughest canoe endurance event.
The race starts in Pietermaritzburg and ends in Durban where the river meets the sea, a distance of some 120km including anything from 10km to 18km carrying the boat, depending on water levels or rain and dam levels.
The level this year was most enjoyable for white water paddlers after recent drought-stricken years.
Uwe Schmidthaus and Grant Thiel finished the Dusi river race in 12:35 minutes, over the three days of the race which recently took place.
