Nineties Dusi winner Kevin White jets to 2011 race from Australia

Sunday, 13 February 2011 12:04

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Former Dusi winner returns to Dusi from Australia

Durban - As the paddling community gathers to pay tribute to the "Dusi King" Graeme Pope-Ellis at the 60th edition of The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon next week, one of his most famous protégées Kevin White will be flying in to be part of the momentous occasion.

White will line up for his 24th Dusi, paddling for the first time as an international competitor after having been a stalwart of the race in the nineties, with K1 wins in 1993 and 1995 in between a K2 victory with John Edmonds.

White's canoeing career blossomed after he was taken under the wing of Graeme Pope-Ellis, who was at his peak, and he trained and raced with the legend until he was in a position to edge past him to win the race.

"I am so excited to be coming back to do The Unlimited Dusi and pay tribute to The Pope," said White from his home in Perth.

His relationship with the Pope-Ellis family was made easy by the charms of his sister, who started canoeing and managed to attract the assistance of Graeme Pope-Ellis.

"My younger sister Julie actually I think fell in love with Graeme as a 14 year old," recalls White. "Graeme was very helpful and helped her out with a Lancer.  I couldn’t fit into a Lancer so I tagged along in a Javelin."

"Julie beat me in my first few races as a 15 year old. Graeme was full of advice and support to us both," says White.

White started working for Graeme Pope-Ellis on weekends and during the school holidays. "He taught me how to work really hard," recalls White. "This was then extended to our canoeing training. Graeme trained harder than anyone else. I then did the same."

"We used to train for 1,5hrs before a Sunday race or do at least that after the race. We also spent more time in the valley than anyone else. He was very meticulous in his preparation," says White.

White became competitive in a short space of time under Pope-Ellis' tutelage and was soon going head-to-head with his mentor.

"I do however remember winning the 50 Miler with Graeme on my wave," says White. "We didn’t even have a sprint finish I think he let me win. Graeme’s focus was always 100% Dusi."

White settled in Australia several years ago with his wife Wendy, herself a multiple Dusi winner.

"My paddling has been reignited here in Australia," says White. "I have really enjoyed all the new challenges of racing new people and participating in new races."

"The Avon Descent is an awesome race not to be underestimated though," he adds. "It is really tough and very far, has some great rapids but finishes off with about 30km of flat water. I have fared well in the 2 I have done coming 3rd the first one and 2nd to Hank last year."

White will be racing the Dusi in a Spirit plastic sit-on-top, used popularly on the Avon Descent. These robust craft are stable and forgiving but will be substantially heavier than the average racing K1. "I'm trying hard not think about that!" says White. "The tough portages like Guinea Fowl and Nqumeni might be interesting!"

White runs an internet-based canoe business in Australia, and is attracting growing interest from Australians keen to take part in classic South African races. He led a group of Aussie racers to the Fish Marathon last year and says there is interest in a group to take part in the 2012 Dusi.

The Unlimited Dusi starts on Pietermaritzburg on 17 February and ends in Durban on 19 February.

More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za

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