Durban - A 57-year-old paddler, Heine Jordaan, died during Friday's second stage of the Dusi Canoe Marathon at Inanda Dam, the organisers said in a statement.
“This is a tragedy that has shaken the Dusi to the core,” Dusi general manager Brett Austen Smith said.
The Durban-based dentist started the race in batch G with fellow Stella Canoe Club paddler Neels Meyer.
Their boat hit a rock at a rapid near the Big Bend Rapid where Meyer managed to get out of the boat.
Jordaan remained trapped and was forced under water for approximately three minutes.
Paddlers rallied together to assist Meyer and to help extract Jordaan from the river.
One of the paddlers managed to attract the attention of a safety helicopter but the terrain made landing impossible. A second, smaller helicopter was dispatched, together with the race medical helicopter carrying the race doctor.
Austen Smith said the Jordaan family had been notified. He thanked the race participants who had stopped to assist.
“The Dusi Canoe Marathon race organisers send their sincere condolences to Jordaan’s family, friends and Meyer and ask the paddling fraternity to join them in offering their full support to Jordaan’s loved ones during this time,” he said.
Sapa