Underberg – Weeks of countrywide rainfall have left the Umzimkulu river flowing full and fast, setting the scene for the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon in Underberg on February 25 and 26.

The race focuses on K1 craft for championship purposes, but has in recent years been very popular with K2 paddlers. As the race starts on the first paddleable stretch of the Umzimkulu river as it emerges from the Southern Drakensberg mountains at Castleburn, it is heavily reliant on summer rainfall to provide river conditions conducive to the race.

The race has enjoyed excellent full conditions for the last four years running, and the good rains have left the river, and its tributaries flowing well. More importantly, the soaking rain has ensured that the ground water table is very high, and most of the rainfall that is likely to fall in the ten days before the race, will flow into the river.

The race was first held as a two-day marathon from Castleburn to Early Mists Farm near the Coleford resort in 1994, when heavy rain triggered a flood that decimated the big field that gathered for the inaugural race.

Since then the race has adapted to the fluctuations in the river level, and at times moved the start downriver by fifteen kilometres to cut out the narrow rocky Valley of a Thousand Rapids at the start.

The event has snowballed in popularity in recent years, largely due to the Canyon Canoe Clubs passion to deliver a top class race that is widely regarded as the best value for money marathon event on the calendar.

The attractions of the Southern Drakensberg make it a popular family event, which hosts a number of peripheral events, including the popular inter-canoe club golf day at the nine-hole Underberg Country Club on the Saturday afternoon.

Entries for the race close on Sunday 19 February at 6pm. More information on the race can be found at www.canoesa.org.za/DrakChallenge