EUROSTEEL TEAM OF TOP DUSI CONTENDERS TACKLE THE JUKSKEI RIVER IN JOHANNESBURG
The two day Eurosteel Dusi seeding race hosted by Dabulamanzi Canoe Club on the Jukskei River, to Hartebeespoort Dam overflowed with potential Dusi winners, past, current and potential future possibilities in the race for top seeding positions . With a full river after Highveld rainstorms on weekend 17 and 18 January , the multiple Dusi winner Andy Birkett paddled away effortlessly with first prize and top podium position on both of the two days, covering 30 and 20 kms , with portages of 7.5kms and 4.5kms respectively.
The Jukskei river from Lanseria Airport winds through the Jukskei River Valley, scenic and beautiful, has treacherous rapids strewn with boulders, rocky islands and fast flowing S-bends currents between them as well as a number of weirs and low level bridge. The nature of the river and rapids as well as the downhill gradient is similar to what can be expected on the Dusi river race in Natal, and the challenging obstacles take even the more experienced paddlers by surprise, providing excellent training for the Gauteng based canoeists, with its beauty and intricacy impressing the Natal based Dusi achievers.
Following in the wake left by Birkett’s 3 hour 53 minute win, Sbonelo Khwela settled for the second place position finishing in 4 hours 3 minutes, while the third place podium winner, Lance Kime finished the race a full two minutes later – all members of the Eurosteel Team.
The ladies race was won by young Under 23 Jordan Peek from Western Province who finished the two days as the 25th finisher in 4 hours 54 minutes, with Hilary Bruss just under 3 minutes later in 2nd place, while Cana Peak from Epworth was the 3rd lady, and 2nd Under 18 overall with a time of 5 hours 3 minutes.
Gauteng local top finisher in fourth place was from the SCARC racing team, Loveday Zondi, in 4 hours 11 minutes, and Soweto’s Siseko Ntondini settled for the second Under 23 position in 5th place overall, and a time of 4 hours 18 minutes, beaten to the finish line by KZN’s Banesti Nkhoesa by a mere 3 seconds over the two days. The first Sub Veteran was a Gautenger from Florida Lake Canoe Club, Shaun Maphanga in 14th position overall, with the first Under 18 less than a full second behind him, Siyabonga Tyiki (Sow). The first finishing Sub master was Michael Stewart of ERK, finishing 19th overall, with Dave Hamilton-Brown (DABS) finishing as first veteran.
The first finishing Gauteng lady was Jane Swarbreck (DABS) as the 41st finisher in 5 hours 26 minutes, while Gavin Steyl (JCC) won the Master category, 42nd position, and in 5 hours 26 minutes.
Local home grown Gavin and Kerry Shuter brother and sister team were the first K2 finishers, and also first mixed double, also under 23 clocking a time of 5 hours 33 minutes to finish as the 46th boat across the finish line, while Dabs’ Brent Dickson and Douglas Laburn were 2nd K2, in 50th position overall.
The only Sub Grand Master finishers were Shane Gouldie (Cen) and Gavin Myburgh (KIM) in 54th place, and Alex Masina (JCC) finished as the youngest paddler still Under 16, in 68th spot.
Some 87 paddlers finished the race successfully managing both days of the tricky challenging but awesome river.
The K1 Kayak lucky draw was won by young Under 23 FLCC development paddler, Donald Moncho.
Thanks to Eurosteel for sponsoring a top team of SA Dusi canoeists to excite the locals, while Lucozade provided liquid refreshment.
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
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