Andy Birkett (Gameplan Media)
South Africa’s most famous canoe race, the Dusi, is undergoing some significant changes for the 2023 edition.
For starters, the race won’t be on the traditional Camps Drift Canal, instead opening day Thursday will see the rowers leave Bishopstowe Country Club due to expected rain for the day.
After the April floods, the Mngeni River has changed significantly, and paddlers will have to keep an eye out from the Confluence to the Blue Lagoon as many landmarks and landmarks have been washed away.
A change in the starting place will not change the excitement of the race, as several rowers attempt to dethrone Dusi boss Andy Birkett, who is lining up for a 10th straight Dusi title.
Considering his Dusi record is second only to Graham Pope-Ellis, Birkett’s form suggests he’ll add to that tally and move one step closer to matching Dusi King’s incredible record.
Birkett won twice abroad in 2022 and then kicked off 2023 with a win at the N3TC Drak Challenge to show he’s in top form. He is already considered an all-time great in river racing circles, but the modest East London star should further cement his place in the hall of fame with a win this week.
The usual suspects are lining up to challenge Birkett with the duo of Msawenkosi Mtolo and Thulani Mbanjwa just a few of the names set to test him.
Dave Evans, who won the K2 title with Birkett in 2022, is hoping for a podium finish this year, while Nqobile Makhanya is another paddler looking to put his stamp on the K1 race at Dusi.
A training partner of Birkett’s, Matt Fenn, has been highlighted as a potential podium finisher after a strong season on the KZN River that included a win in the SMG 50 Miler and a third in the Drak Challenge.
Banetse Nkhoesa, Siseko Ntondini and Scott Little will also be names to watch during the race as they look to upset the more established stars over the three days of racing in Durban.
In the women’s race, Christie Mackenzie will start as the great favorite. Mackenzie has been in fine form in the races leading up to Dusi and she will be looking for a third consecutive K1 crown this year.
Despite Mackenzie’s favorite tag, Jordan Peek will pose a threat to the triple crown quest. Peek, who has a K2 winner’s medal, mentioned that he would like to add the K1 title to his list of Dusi achievements.
The evergreen Bridgitte Hartley also enters the potential women’s title conversation. Olympic medalist Hartley has improved dramatically from a run and river tactics perspective and hopes to capitalize on any mistakes by other paddlers.
The 2023 Dusi Canoe Marathon is a race for the die-hards, and with a good number of paddlers signed up for this year’s race, it remains one of the top races in the country.
The 2023 Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from February 16-18.
