N3TC Drak Challenge 2021 Media Release

 No: drak2109

7 Jan 2021

Embargo : None

Written by: Dave Macleod

Drak Challenge postponed by five weeks

Underberg - The organisers of the popular N3TC Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon in partnership with FNB have confirmed the shifting of the dates of their race by five weeks as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, and will now plan to stage the race on the weekend of 6 and 7 March 2021.

The move aligns with a plan co-ordinated by Canoeing South Africa and the KZN Canoe Union to roll out the calendar of races ahead of the adjustments to the lockdown regulations to ensure that there is full compliance with the return-to-paddling protocols agreed to with the sport’s umbrella governing bodies and the local authorities that are ultimately responsible for each event.

“Underberg and the Harry Gwala District is being hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic and the health and well-being of its people and any visitors to the region will always be our main concern,” said race committee chair Mark Willment.

“The rolled-out calendar plan allows us to continue to plan to stage the race, but we will very vigilant about enforcing all the protocols and special arrangements to make sure that it is done safely and responsibly.

“If it gets to the point that it is clear that were are not going to be clear of the second wave of the pandemic then we will confront the difficult decision to cancel the race,” he said.

“Canoeing South Africa has done an excellent job in putting in place steps to make sure that paddling events can still be staged responsibly. We rely on each individual to take these steps seriously, not matter how uncomfortable, for the well-being of the sport and all the individuals involved and their families,” he added.

Willment urged paddlers who had made accommodation plans for the race to explore if they reschedule their bookings for the new date of the race.

“This is a bit of a fluid situation but we have a lot of options in place to enable us to stage the race responsibly and safeguard the well-being of every person there.

“The race has always had very small batches, due to the tight, narrow nature of the river. We may well even reduce the sizes of batches, and space out starting times of each significantly to ensure social distancing throughout,” he explained.

“There will be no social side to registration and no prize giving, which will be a virtual online event this year. Paddlers will be expected to arrive just in time for their batch start and leave the finish of each day promptly after they finish,” he explained.

"There will be no spectators or viewing points," he added. "The only people allowed will be the support crews for each paddler.

“We understand that this postponement will cause inconvenience and uncertainty but we implore everyone to understand that we are doing our best to keep the event alive under extraordinary circumstances,” said Willment.

The N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon takes place in Underberg on 30 and 31 January 2021. More information can be found at www.drakadventure.co.za

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ENDS