Dusi preps on track ahead of 2020 race next week

With just a week to go to the start of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, organisers say they are well on track to stage one of the best races of recent years.

The 2020 edition of the world-famous race takes place from next Thursday, February 27, until next Saturday, February 29, and excitement continues to build all around the country. The race’s organising committee head Shane le Breton says they are optimistic about putting on a good show for those that have entered the 69^th paddling of the gruelling route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

As mentioned by the organising head, water quality and levels are always in the spotlight when it comes to the Dusi. Umgeni Water announced in the last few days that it will guarantee the release of 17 cubic metres of water per second from Inanda Dam on the final day next Saturday.

The news is a massive shot in the arm for organisers with the eThekwini water division also revealing to paddlers that they will also offer releases from Henley and Nagle Dams in the first two stages. Le Breton says this will no doubt help boost their entry numbers even further.

In terms of the actual race, there is one major change that paddlers will need to factor in. Earlier this month, organisers announced that there will be no Burma Road portage, meaning the river will be the only option for entrants as they head towards the final stretch in Blue Lagoon in Durban.

The decision to run over the Burma Road portage can be a tactical advantage to the very strong runners, and also cuts out some of the bigger rapids on the 36km final stage from Inanda Dam to Blue Lagoon. But Le Breton confirmed that security fears mean this has been canned for 2020.

The Dusi this year is a K2 event, meaning boats have two occupants rather than one, which is the case with K1. Each year it is rotated between the two classes of K1 and K2.

Defending champions Andrew Birkett, who is bidding to win his 10^th title and ninth in a row, will be paddling with the up-and-coming Kumbulani Nzimande this year.

He is one of nearly 700 entrants so far and Le Breton is hopeful that numbers will drastically rise in the next few days as the race draws closer. – Report by Thahir Asmal