At this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Feb. 15-17, it wasn’t necessarily the winners garnering the most attention and fanfare but a pair of women who are some of the race’s most stalwart competitors.
In particular, Lorna Oliver, 48, tackled her 36th consecutive Dusi marathon, comfortably the most races ever by a woman. Oliver paddled her first race when she was just 13 – and before the minimum age entry which currently prevents competitors younger than 16 taking part.Oliver is the daughter of canoeing legend John Oliver, who accompanied her on her first two Dusis. Long working as the race’s official timekeeper, this year he was honored by having a Dusi Series named after him.
“Although it is the most completed races by a woman and I have a healthy lead on my nearest competitor who is somewhere in the 20s, I am trying to catch up to the leading men,” she says. “Lyle Wheeler paddled his 53rd and Gudgie Dixon did his 50th race this year. They keep coming back each year so I can’t catch up, but I believe women get better with age so I won’t give up just yet.”
In this year’s K2 race, Lorna partnered with Debbie Lewis, age 58, who hails from Durban North and embarked on her 21st race. Despite not living close to each other, the pair have paddled together at numerous marathons and by their own admissions are smooth and strong on the water, making up for what they may lose or lack at running. “I run my own gym at Kingfisher Canoe Club at Blue Lagoon and we can show the youngsters a thing or two on the water,” says Debbie, who started paddling late, at age 32, by pure chance. “I lived in Johannesburg and happened to be in Durban, driving past the uMgeni River, when the Dusi was on. I was wondering why so many paddlers were on the water. When I was saw what was going on, I had to give it a go and here I am, ready to roll yet again,” she said.
While this was the pair’s first Dusi together, Debbie’s nagging finally paid dividends. “Lorna coaches young schoolgirls and boys and normally does the race with one of them. This year, she finally had no such commitments, meaning I got the green light,” she says.
For both, it’s the uniqueness of the race that keeps them coming back. “No Dusi is ever the same. It’s an adventure, a challenge and a test of skill,” said Lorna. “Water levels change from huge one year to dry the next, and it’s a case of heading into the unknown. The only given is that it is three days. For the rest, it’s just gritting your teeth and taking on the elements.”
“It doesn’t matter how many Dusis a paddler has done, each year, each day of the race is a new beginning,” says Oliver. “It’s all about endurance and respect: Respect for the river, respect for nature and respect for the honour of competing in such a unique, world-renowned event. We both enjoy the element of endurance and have had to dig deep through the years on occasion without ever giving up. This year was no different.”
In the open category, Andy Birkett and Matt Fenn took first with a time of 7:19:35, followed by Mtolo Msawenkosi and Sbonelo Khwela in second at 7:25:49. From the U.S. David and Rob Evans ended up in 26th place at a total combined time of 8:36:53.
About the race:
The Dusi Canoe Marathon was founded in 1951, and covers roughly 120km between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on the East Coast of South Africa. It is the biggest canoeing event on the African continent, and one of the world’s most popular river marathons, attracting between 900 and 1600 paddlers each year. Paddlers can choose between normal marathon K1s, K2s or even K3s (yes a K4 has even finished the Dusi). construction to be able to take the knocks dished out by the rocky river, and must have an overstern rudder. Paddlers must wear a splashcover (spraydecks) and lifejackets and, if very full river conditions occur, will be required to wear helmets. Paddlers traditionally make provision for their own hydration, and carry enough fluids for each stage of the race. The organisers provide 3 hydration stations each day.
Stage One of the race is 42km long, from Camps Drift in the city of Pietermaritzburg to Dusi Bridge, a remote area outside Cato Ridge close to Nagle dam. Most paddlers exit the valley after their stage and stay in local accommodation or return to either Durban or Pietermaritzburg. It is possible to stay in tents at the overnight stop.
Stage Two is the longest and hardest stage, 46km from Dusi Bridge to Msinsi Resort on Inanda dam outside Hillcrest, and ends with 11km of flatwater on the dam. The overnight stop is well suited to camping and also hosts some entertainment in the early evening of Day Two. Hillcrest and Durban are nearby and most paddlers leave the valley after their stage to stay in nearby accommodation.
Stage Three is 36km from Inanda dam to Blue Lagoon in Durban, starting with 4km of flatwater on Inanda dam and ending with 10km of flatwater on the tidal estuary into the finish. Each finisher receives a Dusi medal and a commemorative race garment. The race prize giving takes place at Blue Lagoon after the final stage.
Results: https://dusi.co.za/results-day-three/
More info: https://dusi.co.za/