Tuesday, 22 February 2011 19:03
Changing lives one paddle stroke at a time
The effectiveness of Martin Dreyer’s Change a Life (CAL) Academy was evident in the results at The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon this past weekend, where nine of twelve CAL paddlers placed in the Top 24 positions. For Dreyer, CAL is not just about building athletes. Instead, paddling is the medium that teaches these talented young men to be committed, to have ambition and to realise their goals through hard work and discipline.
After Dreyer won his seventh Dusi with Valley local, Michael Mbanjwa, in 2008, he wondered, “If Michael is this good, I wonder what his friends in the Valley are like”. Dreyer held daily training sessions and once-a-week time trials over a month-long period. He selected the 10 best candidates from a group of approximately 30 boys for his new Change a Life Academy.
“These guys ran barefooted and paddled in old boats, as they’d always done. Some were exceptionally fast at the first time trial but then they didn’t come again. Others worked hard to improve each week; these were the guys I chose.”
Many of the CAL athletes have paddled for a few years, but with no support and old equipment. Dreyer provides them with the same support structure and sponsors he uses to compete at the highest level. This support includes a focused training routine, the provision of shoes from Hi-Tec, race & recovery nutrition from USN, clothing, equipment and even physiotherapy, if necessary. The athletes are ‘paid’ with food parcels for their families.
“In 2009 when CAL started, I found the parents were not supportive at all. I train the guys hard, twice a day, and they would be tired after training, shirking their household duties, like tending cattle. But after Dusi, when they started to bring home food parcels every week, things changed,” explains Dreyer.
“Life in the Valley is very basic so when an 18 year old is able to provide food for his family or build them a home with prize winnings, their family sees the benefits. Now they boot the guys out of the house to go train,” he laughs.
Opportunities have opened up for the CAL athletes directly from their paddling achievements. Kwanda Mhlophe, who won U18 at Dusi last year and placed 11th this weekend, received a bursary last year to study Agriculture and Economics at the university in Pietermaritzburg; he has just started second year.
Thomas Ngidi now works in Jo’burg. “His preparation this year could have been better; but he was down here on weekends and he spent the month before Dusi training with us,” says Dreyer. Ngidi placed 12th.
“I sent Nkosi Cele (17th in the 2009 Dusi) to Bethlehem to coach development children at the Dihlabeng Club. Six paddlers from this club completed Dusi for the first time this year and finished. Nkosi placed 12th on Day 1, but unfortunately he damaged his boat and dropped down to 74th on Day 2 and then miraculously pulled up to 54th. He had the 8th fastest overall time on Day 3!” says Dreyer.
When his paddlers leave the Valley to pursue such opportunities, Dreyer doesn’t see this as ‘losing a paddler’. “I don’t train these guys for paddling. I train them for life,” he says. “Kwanda, Thomas and Nkosi just have to work harder because they’re not full-time athletes like the guys in the Valley; they can still be successful athletes.”
Eric Zondi is CAL’s Dusi star. He wrapped up Dusi in 4th place overall, ahead of previous K1 Dusi champions and paddling legends, Hank McGregor (5th) and Len Jenkins (6th). “The self confidence boost this gives Eric will be that he no longer needs to reach for the stars but instead to believe he can set his sights on touching them,” says Dreyer. “I train the CAL team, not individuals. With personal training Eric could do better, but I told him that the next step has to come from within himself. He has got what it takes. He loves pushing himself; he thrives on it.”
With Dusi out of the way, three CAL doubles are looking ahead to One Day Dusi, which takes place on 4 March 2011. CAL’s Zondi and Ngidi won the race last year. “This is an ‘adult’ race where support crews are crucial. There’s none of the infrastructure like safety and divers on big rapids like there is for Dusi,” Dreyer explains. Dusi darling, Michael Mbanjwa will paddle with Zondi. They’ll be looking for a win.
As water levels drop going into winter, the CAL athletes turn to mountain biking and running, competing in multisport events. Biking presents a whole new skill, local travel opportunities open up and training continues.
CAL was one of four programmes nominated under the ‘Best Grassroots Development Programme’ at the recent Virgin Active Sports Industry Awards. Although CAL didn’t win the award, every day the athletes and their families win through their disciplined training, commitment to sports, results achieved and the ongoing support and guidance from the dedicated and passionate Dreyer.
Follow CAL through www.martindreyeracademy.co.za
About Change a Life
The Change a Life (CAL) Academy was started in 2009 by seven-times Dusi winner, Martin Dreyer. His objective is to empower selected individuals through sport participation by providing them with invaluable life and entrepreneurial skills. There are currently 14 athletes, who are trained and supported by Dreyer. The Academy provides its athletes with coaching, shoes, clothing, sports equipment, nutritional supplements and even physiotherapy treatment. CAL also provides assistance with school fees and the means for the athletes to obtain driver's licenses. Athletes are 'paid' in weekly food parcels, which helps to support their families. CAL is supported by sponsors, who provide products and funding, which makes all of this possible. CAL's sponsors include Computershare, USN, Hi-Tec and 'Best 4 you'.
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