January 15th - Dusi Day 1

David and Tyron ready to take on the Dusi.

The Dusi River winds through the KWN midlands.

Trekking to the river's edge at Mission Rocks.

Repairs needed after shooting Mission Rocks.

Back in the water and ready to finish the first day's leg.

We woke up bright and early today to get to the start of Dusi 2009, a 3 day/100 km canoe river race. We drove up to Pietermaritzburg with David and Candi. Once David and Tyron were settled at the starting line, we jumped in the truck to follow him along the route, as his seconders (supplies, food, water, backup paddle etc.)...Candi was actually seconding and we were just tagging along for the ride.

David & Tyron got off to a great start and we missed them at the first two checkpoints. We finally got a ahead of them and waited for them to pass at the Mission Rocks checkpoint. Mission Rocks rapids is down in a beautiful valley surrounded by rolling hills dotted with rural homesteads, some of them built in the traditional rondavel style. We were taken aback by the beauty of the KZN Midlands' landscape.

Due to the Dusi river's water level being so low, many canoes were hitting a lot of rocks and competitors were finding it difficult to navigate through the rapids. David and Tyron arrived at Mission Rocks about 1/2 hour ahead of their anticipated pace, but unfortunately cracked their canoe going over the rapids. They quickly mended it using branches and duct tape (Red Green & McGuyver would have been proud!) and headed back into the river. However, the canoe was taking on way too much water and the repairs did not hold. They ended up portaging and swimming with their canoe for the rest of today's leg to the finish. We waited for them at the finish and greeted them with some cold Hansa beers...much deserved!!!

It was great to be out with our kids to experience an annual South African sports event in the middle of some absolutely gorgeous surroundings. It was wonderful to see the local villagers, who we could tell were excited to have this event and all its spectators come through their rural communities. An all round exciting and exhausting day for all.