IN an action-packed Dusi Canoe Marathon, which ended on Saturday at Blue Lagoon in Durban, Andy Birkett was crowned champion in a time of 7:55:35.51.
After a hot start on Thursday, the weather was kind to the paddlers with very pleasant rowing conditions on Saturday.
Water levels were not as bad as predicted and the compulsory portage around the Darvill Water Works overcame much of the e-Coli problems.
Sadly, paddler Heine Jordaan from Durban drowned after his canoe hit a rock and rescuers were unable to help him out of the water in time.
The pair paddling canvas and wood canoes in honour of the race founder, Dr Ian Player did well finishing 437th and 838th in the K1 category.
Hugh Raw finished in a total time of 22:29:00.08 and Ian Ross in 22:29:01.66 over the total distance.
Another milestone was the 40th Dusi of Nigel Briggs who finished 250th in a time of 11:31:30.46, giving him the Grand Master title.
Of the local paddlers, Tristan du Pisanie finished in 98th overall in 10:10:21.97 and 11th in the Sub-Vet category.
Don Voysey managed to finish the race despite being T-boned by another competitor on the last day, forcing hime to repair his canoe with sticks and duct tape.
He finished in 830th position and 62nd in the Masters category in a time of 17:10:31.19.
Results
Men (overall)
1 Andy Birkett (7:55:35.51)
2 Lance Kime (8:00:46.76)
3 Sbonelo Khwela (8:03:47.08)
Female (overall)
1 Laura O’donoghue (9:40:21.33)
2 Cana Peek (10:10:48.06
3 Jenna Ward (10:15:02.87)
Zululand Kayak Club
98 Tristan du Pisanie (10:10:21.97)
211 Mike Stevens (11:16:07.09)
237 Warren Smith (11:27:13.05)
310 Johnny Stander (11:57:08.91)
330 Clinton Wissekerke (12:07:10.68)
358 Andrew Habgood (12:14:02.24)
459 Perry Cobbold (12:51:46.03)
693 Mark Henderson (14:30:54.55)
830 Don Voysey (17:10:31.19)
855 Jacques Venter (19:45:36.18)
856 Cher Lawrence (19:55:07.11)
eShowe paddlers (K2)
72 Stewart Spilsbury and Grantham (Snorks) Spilsbury (11:47:46.82)
327 Keegan Mcgregor and Sarah Kennedy (15:00:11.69)
365 Cullen Smith and Angus Macdonald (15:50:57.80)
