Former novices gunning for top spots at Dusi 2011

Monday, 07 February 2011 16:36

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Change a Life at Dusi 2011

The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon, a three-day kayak race, starts in ‘Maritzburg in little over a week. The ‘Dusi Duke’, seven-times winner Martin Dreyer, will be at the start; but he’s not racing. Dreyer, who retired from competitive kayaking in 2008, will again support paddlers from Change a Life, the academy he created two years ago to coach youth from the Dusi River valley in the sport of river paddling.

Last week, Change a Life’s Thomas Ngidi won the Campbells to Dusi Bridge Canoe Race. Although he was up against a handful of race favourites, including Ant Stott, Hank McGregor, Andrew Birkett and Michael Mbanjwa, Ngidi is no stranger to top-level competition. Last year he took bronze at Dusi, paddling with Eric Zondi, a fellow Change a Life team mate. This pre-Dusi victory has been a wonderful confidence boost for this 25-year old paddler.

“Thomas realises that the top boys had their foot off the accelerator and that Dusi will be a different battle. He felt so proud crossing the line first with legend river paddler Ant Stott at his side”, says Dreyer.

The Change a Life team are as swift on foot as they are on water. With up to 26 kilometres of portaging (running while carrying your boat) at Dusi, running is a key discipline in training and preparation for this race.

“Running with a canoe is no easy task. It takes specialised training - requiring superior strength. It’s equivalent to running with six two-litre Coke bottles (12 kilograms) up steep hills, combined with a delicate touch to balance a 5-metre craft on your shoulder, whilst guiding the nose from snagging branches on the narrow pathways," explains Dreyer.

The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon allows single and double entries in the competitive categories on alternate years. This year, the top contenders will paddle single kayaks. Change a Life has entered 14 paddlers in four age groups.

Eric Zondi, John Ngcobo, Lucas Mthalane, Nkosi Cele, Richard Cele, Shkumbuso Ngidi, Sphamandla Sibisi, Thomas Ngidi and Zonele Nzuza will compete in the Open category; Kwanda Mhlophe and Nhlanhla Cele in U21; Mmeli Cele and Mzamo Zondi in U18 and young Chanzani Gumede in U16. The Change a Life team aim to bring home more than the two gold (Top 10) and 11 silver (Top 50) medals that they won in 2010.

“The boys have trained very hard and are so excited with Dusi just around the corner. Dusi is a three-day race where lots can go wrong and where lack of concentration for just a moment can result in a broken kayak; I still get so nervous for them,” Dreyer adds.

In recognition of Change a Life’s success, the academy has been shortlisted for an award, as the best ‘Grass Roots Initiative’ at the annual Virgin Sports Industry Awards, which are announced on Thursday, 17 February 2011.

“Hi-Tec is excited to see how the Change a Life team does this year at Dusi, following a great 12 months of training and racing; and we wish them the very best,” says Ian Little, Hi-Tec’s Marketing Manager. Hi-Tec is a sponsor of Change a Life.

“We are delighted to continue our association with Martin Dreyer’s academy and will continue to support this excellent initiative to make a real difference to families in the valley. We are also thrilled that the academy has been shortlisted at the Virgin Sports Industry Awards. Coincidentally, the awards will be decided on the first day of Dusi.”

The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon starts on Thursday 17 February 2011, in Pietermaritzburg, and ends on Saturday 19 February 2011, in Durban.  

For more information on Martin Dreyer and the Change A Life academy, please visit www.martindreyeracademy.com. The website for The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon is www.dusi.co.za.

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