Hi ,

Whilst the weather for the Dusi was brilliantly cool (comparatively), for most of the three days, the competitors in the Non-Stop Dusi are hammering away in blistering temperatures.

33 Boats left from Camps Drift at daybreak and the leaders have already completed the race at Blue Lagoon, in a time of 8hrs 10mins. Gameplan will provide a detailed update.

For a third time in a row Thabani Msia and Msawenkosi Mtolo are the Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon champions. They aren't the first pair to win it three times, but the first to do it consecutively.

There were boat issues a plenty with a number of top crews suffering. The winners had rudder issues, second placed Nqobile Makhanya and Sandile Mtolo also had steering issues and Sbonelo Khwela and Banetse Nkhoesa's boat issues ended their race. Third place went to Richard Cele and Khumbulani Nzimande.

The veteran Jacques Theron was the first K1 over the line and fifth overall.

There are going to be some very weary bodies under the Athlone bridge when the sun starts to go down.

In comparison, those of us who participated in the nonstop Umko last Saturday had an absolute doddle. Not a single stroke in anger, chatting to your mates, whilst doing almost 20kph.

The river has maintained a superb level for the past few weeks. The race this weekend from above Hella Hella to Josephine's is going to be a cracker, with a river running at around 2m.

After that, only one week until the Umkomaas marathon. Entries are still open.

Just to inspire you, the Berg legend, Giel Van Deventer (having completed 50 Berg River marathons), has entered his first Umko this year, at the age of 72 years. He must be the oldest novice in the races history. So, if he can throw his name into the hat, so can a whole heap of the potential weekend couch potatoes.

Last weekend the cream of the country's canoe polo players converged on Century City in Cape Town for the hosting of the South African Canoe Polo Championships. The aftermath of the effects of the Covid restrictions resulting in the absence of the usual powerhouse teams from KZN.

The event was, by all accounts, exceptionally well run and enjoyed by all. The competition was run in 3 divisions, with the teams from Gauteng proving dominant in each.

The full podium results were as follows:

Division 1
Gold - Gauteng Men
Silver - Western Cape
Bronze - Knysna Mixed

Division 2
Gold - Gauteng U21
Silver - Western Cape U21
Bronze - Gauteng Ladies

Division 3
Gold - Gauteng U16
Silver - Barbarians U16
Bronze - Stellies U16

The CSA marathon team has announced the manager for the tour to the World Championships to be held in Portugal in September. Congratulations to Antje Hockly, and a huge thanks for putting her hand up.

Whilst on the topic of marathons, it looks almost definite that both the KZN and SA Marathon championships will be held at the Hazelmere dam outside Durban. We are just waiting for clarity on some of the final details before we make a formal announcement.

Cheers
Copper
1111

And a quick joke:
A couple was Christmas shopping at the mall on Christmas Eve and the mall was packed. As the wife walked through the mall she was surprised to look up and see her husband was nowhere around. She was quite upset because they had a lot to do. Because she was so worried, she called him on her mobile phone to ask him where he was.
In a calm voice, the husband said, "Honey, you remember the jewellery store we went into about 5 years ago where you fell in love with that diamond necklace that we could not afford and I told you that I would get it for you one day?"
The wife choked up and started to cry and said, "Yes, I remember that jewellery store."
He said, "Well, I'm in the Pub right next door to it."