Barring 2013, Andy Birkett has walked away with a gold medal at the Dusi each year going back to 2010. An incredible accomplishment, and obviously one that puts a massive target on his back. But the ever humble Birkett doesn’t buy it, believing this year’s race, which starts on Thursday, is shaping up to be a close one.
The Dusi attracts some of South Africa’s, as well as the world’s, best paddlers. From Hank McGregor to the record-breaking Thulani Mbanjwa, as well as Sbonelo Khwela, Banetsi Khoesa, the Houston brothers, Alan and Andrew, Owen Gandar, some older legends like Len Jenkins and Shaun Rubenstein - all these paddlers have their eyes on the prize, but so does Birkett.
Of course, with the closeness of these athletes, and the unpredictable nature of the Dusi, the racing becomes enticing and exhilarating to watch, but for paddlers at the top, they will admit to also liking a bit of competition through the three days.
“All these guys are top class athletes,” Birkett said earnestly.
“So to say I am the only one they are aiming for is wrong. The guys have got huge talent here and it is anyone’s race. I am excited for that fact, that it can be anyone’s. We race because we enjoy it and you enjoy it when it is tight.
“When we raced Drak (earlier this year), I am sure Hank (McGregor) will say it is exciting when it is close. You are stressing the whole way as well which adds another dynamic to it!”
But it won’t just be the other paddlers Birkett will be fighting against, the Dusi is a race that is unpredictable in its conditions as well as its design; full of portaging and perilous around every bend.
The key is being able to adapt to what the river, and the race, can throw at you over three days.
“You do not know how well you are going until you start the race,” the experienced youngster said. “I used to get nervous about that, but I’m starting to come to terms (with it). So I wouldn’t say it is business as usual because it is a surprise on the day. Asking yourself: ‘Have you done enough running, have you done enough paddling?’ We may seem like we have poker faces but we have no idea what is going on!
“Because the race has so much portaging, and is a technical river, you cannot just sit on someone’s wake the whole way. It is kind of like an individual time trial the whole way. You have to know your own ability in the race and just be patient that if you make mistakes, to simply carry on.”
What will definitely make this year’s race much more challenging for all the top paddlers is that there has been an announcement of a low water race.
With the dams in the uMngeni catchment area severely depleted, there will be no water release from Nagle or Inanda dams, and the race will be carried by the water coming out of the obsolete Henley dam outside Pietermaritzburg for the first two days.
It will make for a different race, but again, the adaptable Birkett believes he will be prepared.
“I have done it when it is full. I have done it when it is fairly low,” Birkett added.
“So you have to adapt to whatever the conditions are, and I have paddled in both
conditions - but most of the guys have, and all the guys can drive well in a low river, a full river.
“I know we will enjoy it no matter the level, it will just be a lot harder if it is low!”