Powerade Race For The River Day Two
Inanda Dam – Hansa Powerade Dusi extreme athletes Andrew King and Devlin
Fogg staggered into the second overnight stop having completed the toughest
stage of the Powerade Race For The River.
The duo are setting out to become the first participants in the 60 year
history of the famous canoeing race to carry their kayak from start to
finish, in a bid to focus attention on the ecological pressures that the
uMsindis and uMngeni river systems are experiencing.
"Today was tough!" said Fogg. "Although we feel better than we felt
yesterday, which could largely be credited to the support we've received from
the paddling community."
"It's truly amazing for us to be apart of this race, as we've seen first hand
by running through the communities within the valley and how they rely on the
river water," said King. "We continue to urge everyone, not only the paddlers
to support the Dusi Umgeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) and their efforts!"
The intrepid pair raced much of the day on their own as they battled through
the dense uMngeni river valley before ending their ten hour stage with an
energy sapping march around Inanda Dam to the overnight camp at Msinsi
Resort.
However they savoured the contact with the residents of the Valley of a
Thousand Hills, particularly as they completed their early morning portage
alongside the uMsindusi river to the confluence with the uMngeni river.
"It struck us that these families need the river for just about every facet
of their daily lives," said King. "From washing, cooking, laundry to watering
their crops, the state of the water in the river directly affects almost
every aspect of their daily lives."
Nkosi Mlaba, the head of the kwaXimba tribal authority and a long standing
supporter of the race, spent time with the duo, and explained how toxins and
pollutants in the river adversely affected the valley residents' lives and
health.
"The river is a source of life and well being for this valley," said Mlaba.
"That is why it is so important to eliminate the pollution and toxins from
the water."
Fogg stressed that the campaign to publicise and distribute decals carrying
the Dusi uMngeni Conservancy Trust (DUCT) hotline 033 345 7571 was not only a
powerful tool to ensuring that canoeists can enjoy paddling on a healthy
river, but it will have a major impact on the lives and health of the
communities that live in the valleys year round.
King and Fogg collapsed into their tents at the Msinsi dam campsite,
exhausted from the days endeavours. "We set out to complete the Powerade Race
For the River as close to a normal Dusi as possible," said Fogg. "That has
made it harder in many ways, but it has also made it very rewarding. There is
a real sense of achievement now, knowing that three quarters of the race is
behind us!"
The pair will face numerous challenges on the 38km final stage into Durban on
Saturday. They will start the day with a lengthy detour around Inanda dam
before setting off on the well groomed roads to the notorious Burma Road
portage. Their final passage to the finish will be along Umgeni road through
Springfield Park before completing their epic journey across Windsor Golf
Course to the finish at Blue lagoon, where they hope to cross the finish line
at around 1pm.
ENDS
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Powerade Race For the River Logo - on
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GPS tracked route followed by Andrew King and
Devlin Fogg on day two of the Powerade Race For The River in the 2010
Hansa Powerade Dusi |
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The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew
King (left) and Devlin Fogg trek through the valley on route to the finish
of Day Two of the Hansa Powerade Dusi. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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Crew supporter Storm Bell runs alongside the
Powerade Race For The river team of Andrew King (left) and Devlin Fogg at
the confluence on Day Two of the Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew
King (left) and Devlin Fogg (centre) get a some support from their second
Malcolm King on Day Two of the Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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Andrew King of the Powerade Race For The River
takes a short break to put on some dry socks after crossing the Inanda Dam
bridge before the long trek to the Day two finish of the Hansa Powerade Dusi
canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew
King (left) and Devlin Fogg crossing the Inanda Dam bridge on Day Two of the
Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew
King (left) and Devlin Fogg crossing the Inanda Dam bridge on Day Two of the
Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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The Powerade Race For The River team of Andrew
King (left) and Devlin Fogg looking longingly at the paddlers on the river
on route to the finish on Day Two of the Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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Devlin Fogg (right) of the Powerade Race For
The River takes a quick drinks break at the confluence on Day Two of the
Hansa Powerade Dusi canoe marathon. |
Samantha Thompson/
Gameplan Media |
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