News
Female paddlers make a statement at Non-Stop Dusi
Pietermaritzburg – As entries start to pour in for the 2014 Non Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon on Friday 28 February, female paddlers have made a bold statement via both the quality and quantity of women committed to taking on the traditionally tougher version of the three day marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Five time Dusi Canoe Marathon winner Robyn Kime will look to claim her second Non-Stop Dusi title in 2014 after smashing the women’s record in a K1 in her maiden attempt at the race in 2012.
After clinching her third consecutive K2 Dusi title with partner Abbey Ulansky and fifth race title in total just days ago, Kime was set to embark on the adventure of a lifetime shortly after the iconic three day paddling adventure which would have seen her likely to spend much of the next 12 months sailing to and hiking and mountain climbing around South America.
Five time Dusi winner and 2012 Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon victory Robyn Kime of Best 4 Healthcare/Kayak Centre will be hoping to make overcome a strong women’s field in this year’s ‘Dusi in a day’. Photo by: Anthony Grote / Gameplan Media
Last minute changes though ended Kime’s adventure travel ideas temporarily and so, having also just completed the 230km Drakensberg Grand Traverse with her brother, Lance, and boyfriend Michael Owen, Kime will in fact now take part in this year’s Non-Stop Dusi.
Kime’s fellow Best 4 Healthcare/Kayak Centre competitor Abby Adie will look to bury her disappointment of narrowly missing out on a maiden Dusi victory when she and Anna Adamová of the Czech Republic came bitterly close just a few days ago.
The result handed Adie her sixth consecutive second place Dusi finish, something she will a strong Non-Stop Dusi with her twin sister Alex, who accompanied Hilary Bruss to deserved Dusi fourth place this year, will help erase from her memory.
“I’m really excited to be paddling Non-Stop with Alex (Adie),” said Abby. “Anna (Adamová) decided Non-Stop would impact on her sprint season preparations too much and so I was really excited when Alex said she was coming back (to Durban from Cape Town where she works) for Non-Stop!”
“I wondered around in a dwell for two days after Dusi, that’s how disappointed I was but after that I decided that Dusi had come and gone and there was nothing that could be done about it anymore.
Twin sisters Abby (Best 4 Healthcare/Kayak Centre) and Alex Adie’s shared paddling journey will be reignited at the 2014 Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon when they get back into a boat together for the first time since their 2012 Dusi second place effort. Photo by: Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media
“It would be really nice to finish off the KZN river season with a good result at Non-Stop though!”
“Alex also worked really hard on her own in Cape Town before this year’s Dusi and has really improved a lot since we last paddled together in the 2012 Dusi. We haven’t paddled Non-Stop together ever before so I’m really looking forward to getting into a boat with her again.” she added.
Alex Adie’s 2014 Dusi partner, Race Food/Pepto Sport’s Bruss, is another who will definitely be on this year’s Non-Stop Dusi start line however what boat she will be in is still yet to be decided.
“I’ll definitely be racing Non-Stop this year but it’s just whether I’ll be paddling a mixed double with Kevin Musgrave or doing it one my own in my K1,” explained Bruss.
“It would be really exciting to paddle with Kev but I seem to have picked up a bit of a lean this season and so would be nervous getting into a boat with someone else and making them have to deal with my lean for nine hours.
“Racing on your own is also such a special adventure. The whole journey is just so unpredictable and you’re just really racing against your body more than anything else, especially in a K1, which really is pretty unique,” she added.
With many of the country’s top female river paddlers and runners set to take part in the clash, the race for the 2014 Non-Stop Dusi women’s podium positions may well be a memorable one.
“I think this year’s Non-Stop women’s fields may well be the strongest yet!” said Bruss.
“Previously the girls have pretty much had the luxury of not really needing to push as hard as they can to get the win and could focus on just making sure they got to the finish line in one piece.
“This year though we may well see Robs try break her own record or the Adie’s try get the win so it could be a fascinating race!”
The 2014 Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon begins at Camps Drift, Pietermaritzburg at 05h30 on Friday 28 February and finishes at Blue Lagoon, Durban. More info can be found at www.nonstopdusi.co.za
The hardy Hilary Bruss of Race Food/Pepto Sport will make a last minute call as to whether she will tackle the 2014 Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon women’s field that is brimming will talent or race with Kevin Musgrave in a mixed double. Photo by: Kyle Gilham/ Gameplan Media
Author: Tee
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Author: Shelley
Author: Shelley
Discover the heart of KZN at Westown Square in Shongweni – a vibrant, growing destination where shopping, dining and lifestyle come together in perfect harmony.
Here, local craft, artisanal homeware and unique products find a home, bringing the very best of our region to life.
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LOCAL IS LEKKER and we’re celebrating all things Heritage this month, in this beautiful province of KZN that we call HOME! There’s something for everyone, so follow us on social media to keep up to date.
THIS WEEKEND!
OPENING OF THE PADDOCK at Westown – 27 September
Westown is excited to celebrate the opening of The Paddock– a unique new place and the ‘home’ for Westown Trails. It’s fun for the whole family, whether you’re on horseback, on your mountain bike, running or walking. Our network of marked trails, suitable for a variety of sporting codes, enhances and extends the spectacular outdoor character the area is renowned for.
* Time: Hub Opens – 06:00
Official Start – 07:00
* Venue: The Paddock at Westown
* Cost: No cost and complimentary bike and wash service from Cycle Science Shongweni
SPRINGBOK RUGBY IN THE BARN
Come & support The Bokke at the Westown Square Fan Park in The Barn at Westown.
Catch the live action on the big screen – our DJ will be in the house for the pre-match warm-up and post-match fun.
Saturday 4 October – SA vs Argentina
*Time: 15:00
* Venue: The Barn at Westown Square
Pre-match fun in the Rugby Kids Zone:
* The Garvz Sport Activation (13:00 -16:00) & Kids Activities (14:00 -16:00) including:
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PASSION PAINT & SIP – 1 October
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Date: Wednesday 1 October
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OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME – Follow our social media pages
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FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT WESTOWN – 3 October
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* Time: 18:30
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FRIDAY FLASHBACK
Get a jump-start on the weekend with our vibrant weekly Westown Wind-down. Turn after-work drinks into a full night out at Westown Square, as we dial back the clock, with our weekly 80s-themed Friday Flashback retro music experience with DJ Spike & James VN on the decks and Happy Hour food and drink specials.
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SUNDAY SOUNDTRACK VIBES
Join a line-up of Durban’s hottest musicians, every Sunday afternoon, from 12:00-15:00 in The Barn at Westown Square. Choose a bite and beverage from a diverse selection of eateries and settle in for the afternoon.
– Sunday 5 October
A regular favourite at Westown Square, Angel is in the house for this Sunday’s session.
– Sunday 12 October
Popular songbird Carmen Rodrigues is back at Westown Square for a laid-back chill
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Author: Shelley
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