Underberg – One of the year’s most popular canoeing races has created a unique opportunity for eager paddlers to support a local charity, and in the process enjoy the benefits of starting at the front of the field.

The Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge, to be held on the Umzimkulu river that runs through Underberg on 25 and 26 February, has set aside its third batch for paddlers to secure a preferential early start by making a R200 donation to the Sani SPCA, the race’s chosen charity for the year.

This will be limited to the first forty paddlers, who will join the handful of paddlers that have completed ten or more Drak Challenges, in what has become known as the Drak Batch, starting shortly after the seeded paddlers on the first day.

“The race is strongly rooted in the local community of Underberg and Himeville, and we felt we were in a good position to give something back”, said race organiser Richard Jardine.

“We are a very small branch that has to service the entire  kwaSani municipality, an area of about 1200 square kilometres, with population 14 000 people, with one 1400 bakkie, one field worker/kennel manager. “, said John Gardiner, chairperson of the Sani SPCA.

“This opportunity is a godsend to us, as we are permanently battling to make ends meet. We run a thrift shop with volunteers and on sponsored rent, which helps with income, together with income from collection tins and a monthly book sale, to offset the loss that we make every month.”

“This is a rural community, and it needs ongoing education on animal care. The consequence of our education is that it creates more demand for our services, especially for spaying, which is a priority for the SPCA”, he added.

“Our kennels and our only vehicle came from bequests, for which we are really grateful”, he added. “The majority of the community that we serve can’t afford food for themselves, let alone treatment for their animals.”

“We even had to look after twenty donkeys that were stranded on Sani Pass recently, in the middle of a pouring rainstorm. We did the best we could with the kennels, and looked after these donkeys for three weeks!”, said Gardiner.

Entries are already pouring into the race office, suggesting that a bumper entry is on the cards, thanks to the news that the good summer rains have left the Umzimkulu full, and in ideal condition for the two day race from Castleburn to Early Mist farm, close to Coleford.

Paddlers interested in making a donation, and securing a place in the Drak batch, can visit the race website for more information.

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