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Organisers consider
limits as record entry is reached for Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge
Underberg – With five days to go before the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg
Challenge canoe marathon gets under way in Underberg, the race organisers
already have a record field entered, with scores of late entries still being
processed at the race office.
Over 900 paddlers have lodged their entries for the event, passing last
year’s record of 840 paddlers, and raising the debate around limiting the
size of the field that can be accommodated for the popular two day race in
the Southern Drakensberg this weekend.
The race starts at Castleburn, on the first navigable section of river,
where the Umzimkulu river and Thukelana river meet high in the foothills of
the mountains.
However the narrow nature of the river on the first days 30km stage means
that the participants are sent off in small batches to ensure that there is
no congestion on the river.
“It is all about ensuring that the experience of every single paddler is
optimal, and we will not compromise on that in any way,” said race committee
head Tex Turton.
“Right now we do not want to limit the field. However we are closely
monitoring the situation, and we understand the limitations of the river,
especially on the first day,” Turton added.
The race has been the fastest growing race on the domestic calendar for
three consecutive seasons, thanks to well timed rainfall ensuring near
perfect paddling conditions.
The race started in 1994, in flood conditions that decimated 80% of the
field in largely unknown river conditions. Following the drama of 1994 the
popularity of the event has waxed and waned.
However the race was taken over by Canyon Kayak Club in 2000, and since then
the full river conditions and the smooth event organisation has led to the
extraordinary growth in the numbers of participants.
The race was awarded the SA K1 river championships in 2004, a move that was
seen as a coming of age of the race, and was also formally included on the
national Grand Prix of premier races.
The Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge will host the SA K1 River
Championships in Underberg on 24 and 25 February. Entries close on 17
February. The race website is at
www.canoesa.org.za/DrakChallenge
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