Dusi Canoe Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon is a canoe (or rather, kayak) race between Pietermaritzburg
and Durban
, South Africa
. It is run along the Msunduzi River
, which is more commonly referred to as the Dusi (or Duzi) river. The 2006 race attracted roughly 2000 paddlers and two to three thousand seconders, helpers and supporters. The 2010 race expects to attract double the amount of people to the race.
, Miles Brokensha, Ernie Pearce, John Naude, Basil Halford, Willie Potgieter, Fred Schmidt and Denis Vorster.
Only Ian Player finished the race in a time of six days. This was despite having being bitten by a night adder during the race. The canoe that he used to complete the race was made from wood and canvas and weighted roughly 70 pounds. It also held all the supplies he needed to complete the race.
The following three races were all held on a non-stop basis, before it was decided in 1956 to hold the race over three days. The reason for this change is the danger involved in paddling at night. Before the change was introduced, the winning time had been reduced to 1 day, 3 hours and 28 minutes.
The first known trip down the dusi was not in fact on the race itself, but rather by two Pietermaritzburg
men William Foley and Paul Marianny in 1893. They covered the distance in seven days
The first day is 45 km which includes roughly 15 km of portaging with the canoe, with shorter portaging sections on day 2 and 3. Day 2 is also 45 km and ends with a 10 km stretch on flat water on the Inanda Dam. Day 3 is 35km of clean cold water let out from the dam. There are several sections with large rapids, particularly on day 2 and 3.
Competitors have a choice to either compete in a K1 or K2 canoe.
The current record stands at around 8 hours (over the three race days).
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
and Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is run along the Msunduzi River
Msunduzi River
The Msunduzi River is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is also known by its anglicised name, the Dusi River. The original name, Msunduzi, is isiZulu.The Msunduzi is a tributary of the Mngeni River.-In Pietermaritzburg:...
, which is more commonly referred to as the Dusi (or Duzi) river. The 2006 race attracted roughly 2000 paddlers and two to three thousand seconders, helpers and supporters. The 2010 race expects to attract double the amount of people to the race.
The Original Dusi
The first Dusi was started on the 22nd of December 1951. Unlike the current race the first race was held on a continuous basis, with the racers only stopping when they reached the finish. Only eight paddlers took part in this first race. They were: Ian PlayerIan Player
Dr. Ian Player DMS , is an international conservationist.-Biography:Player was educated at St. John’s College, Johannesburg, South Africa and served in the 6th South African Armoured Division attached to the American 5th Army in Italy 1944–46.His conservation career started with the Natal Parks...
, Miles Brokensha, Ernie Pearce, John Naude, Basil Halford, Willie Potgieter, Fred Schmidt and Denis Vorster.
Only Ian Player finished the race in a time of six days. This was despite having being bitten by a night adder during the race. The canoe that he used to complete the race was made from wood and canvas and weighted roughly 70 pounds. It also held all the supplies he needed to complete the race.
The following three races were all held on a non-stop basis, before it was decided in 1956 to hold the race over three days. The reason for this change is the danger involved in paddling at night. Before the change was introduced, the winning time had been reduced to 1 day, 3 hours and 28 minutes.
The first known trip down the dusi was not in fact on the race itself, but rather by two Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
men William Foley and Paul Marianny in 1893. They covered the distance in seven days
The Current Race
The race is currently held over a period of three days, with each day having a defined beginning and end. The race is referred to as the The Unlimited Dusi, using the company name of the new title sponsor (announced 9 September 2010) The Unlimited.The first day is 45 km which includes roughly 15 km of portaging with the canoe, with shorter portaging sections on day 2 and 3. Day 2 is also 45 km and ends with a 10 km stretch on flat water on the Inanda Dam. Day 3 is 35km of clean cold water let out from the dam. There are several sections with large rapids, particularly on day 2 and 3.
Competitors have a choice to either compete in a K1 or K2 canoe.
The current record stands at around 8 hours (over the three race days).