The ‘Change a life’ squad took advantage of the  flowing waters of the Dusi on the weekend. We put in at Dusi Bridge and paddled 50 Miler style to Umfula Store, via the infamous Bell Rapid and Pearl Harbour Rapid (just before 2^nd Saddles take-out) 

Pearl Harbour got its name way back when that section was just being explored by paddlers due to the new 50 Miler route. Ken Holden came around the corner and there was a scattering of boats submerged/wrapped across the river from the group tripping ahead of him. He described it as a scene out of the Pearl Harbour movie when the Japanese bombed the hell out of the USA Warships. A very apt name for a rapid that seems to reinact that movie come 50 Miler.

Pearl Harbour Rapid has a grassy/rocky island in the middle. It is best negotiated paddling down the middle of the right option (few meters right of grassy knoll), with minimal boat speed, letting your boat feel its way down. 

                             I paddled with Thomas Ngidi (15th-Dusi 2009) 

When we launched our canoes at Dusi Bridge, I allowed myself the luxury of thinking that  because this is the ‘Change a life’ second Dusi Season, we should have less drama on the river.

One mistake, I forgot to ‘touch wood’, and so jinxed that thought.

Lucas, top ten Dusi finisher, wrapped his spanking brand new Eagle K2 around Egg rock a few hundred meters downstream of Washing Machine. Thobani following, proceeded to do the same. In a split second it was game over for those two crews – huge effort to free boats – missioning to get boats to vehicle - drive to Umfula – run from Umfula to top of Ngumeni for their lack of exercise, whilst we tied our boats on the trailer and ate peanut butter & banana sandwiches.

The water level was the most user friendly (we caught up some water, once we put in after the Ngumeni Portage) for shooting Gum Tree and  Tombi rapids. The guys dropped over the right of Tombi pinnacle rock like they were on a Sunday picnic. I was quick to warn them that its not all ‘Peaches and Cream’ come higher water levels.

The males in the Valley of a Thousand Hills don’t take instruction very readily from woman. However having top female K2 crew, Abbey and Robyn on our trip, had the guys following their lead.

These guys popped out of nowhere looking for a ride to get back to Dusi Bridge. Unfortunately we were jam packed inside, so had to do it ‘Africa style’.

The following day I took part in a 70km MTB race from Giba Gorge down into the Dusi Valley to Inanda Dam, then onto to Durbs. Walking to the start, I heard the commentator doing his bit. I thought to myself, I know that person (although I had never met him in my life). He sounded so familiar – Phil Liggitt. Being such a legend of the Tour (’voice of cycling’, commentated on every Tour since 1973), I couldn’t resist doing the School boy thing – posing for a foto.

…and the feeling just keeps getting better…another day to witness my guys exceeding my expectations and once again (as like Dusi finish), a ‘wild’ expression of total focus turned instantly into a look of absolute elation (and an enormous white-toothed smile) on Eric Zondi’s face as he crossed the finish line of the Triple Challenge, in an amazing second place, behind the winner Dan Hugo.

I really had no idea what to expect from my team of six ‘Change a life’ guys as they lined up at 5am for the start of the Triple Challenge. Four of the boys had never completed a ‘long run’ of 21km and only Lucas had ever had a taste for an endurance multipart event before.

Although the weather looked miserable, it was a blessing in disguise, keeping the racers cool as they made their way on foot over trails from Pietermaritzburg to Camperdown, 21km away. The leading three of Eric, Thomas and Dan left the run/bike transition together. The 52km bike leg to Inanda Dam was surely going to be the podium decider? I witnessed Eric riding like a demon out in front, the 4kg lighter bike (using my Carbon Zascar GT) was adding some magic to his maiden assault on this gruelling race.

Eric managed to stick with Dan for a fair distance on the mtb leg, which got Dan a little worried as he thought if they were to reach the paddle transition together, then the race was going to be a very different battle as Eric was a top 10 Dusi man. Dan’s biking experience allowed him to open a lead on Eric and I wondered if Cas Van Aardenne or any other experienced mtb’ers would catch and pass Eric. With relief, Eric made it into the transition, refuelled by gulping down a shaker of USN Muscle Fuel and headed off onto the water with only a 100m gap to third and fourth positioned, Cas and Craig Carter-Brown.

Eric looked like a man possessed on the paddle, but my heart sank as he made a very slow exit onto the second 2km portage and the gap he had on Cas and Craig seemed to close rapidly. It was clear that Cas had the strongest legs still as he dropped Craig and put in closer to Eric. But the thought of Cash prize money and being able to contribute to the building of a house for his Gran gave Eric the ‘Vooma’ to close 2min on Dan and to maintain his second place overall.

Halfway on the bike, Thomas was coming second out of my ‘Change a Life’ guys (5^th overall). Unfortunately he suffered a broken chain which he battled to fix. He watched in despair as all his team-mates passed by unable to help him. There was nothing I could do, outside assistance from me would mean disqualification. Part time Anaesthetist and Ironman athlete, Bruce Piccard stopped and gave Thomas a special chain link to solve the problem. Thanks Bruce.

Nhlanhla and Kwanda raced in each others company, working beautifully together on the paddle leg, to overtake Trevor Hellens and Carel Esterhuizen. Posting the fastest paddle time, they crossed the finish line in a very creditable 5^th and 6^th place.

Lucas bravely fought his way into 10^th position, completing our ‘Change a Life’ goal of getting 4 in the top 10. Zonele battled with stomach cramps early on in the run (was his choice of French Polony for breakfast?).

However he crept through the field to finish 12^th. A disappointed Thomas claimed 15^th. He could have easily quit when the odds were against him, but that’s not in his nature.

Actually, all these Valley boys are as resilient as hell. Not having running water or electricity at home what do you expect.

Their hunger to succeed separates them from the rest.

Many Months ago Tim Cornish gave me a contact to send a proposal to Carol Church - ACSA (Airport Company South Africa) and DTP (Dube TradePort) for assistance with the ‘Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy’.  Suddenly I was meeting with Carol Church and discussing the ‘wish list’ of the Academy. I put the Academy needs in three separate categories.

1 – Canoeing equipment

2 – 14 seater Toyota Quantum

3 – Club House.

                               FISH - KEITHS FLY-OVER 

To my absolute delight, Carol got back to me saying that the stakeholders of the New Airport Development in Durban, namely ACSA & DTP were willing to come to the party with 1 and 2. Their support has bumped the Academy to another level. Gone are the days when the boys get drenched in the back of a borrowed bakkie when we go to races. The vehicle was such a bonus for our long journey to the Fish River Canoe Marathon in Cradock. We travelled in style, aircon and all. Thank you very much.

Midmar Mini Canoe Marathon (16km paddling, 7km running)

The ‘Change a Life’ boys from the Valley of a Thousand hills excelled at the weekend’s Midmar Mini Canoe Marathon, claiming all three podium positions. Admittedly some ‘big guns’ didn’t compete, but as they say, ‘there aren’t any comments on the results sheets – a wins a win. Eric Zondi and Thomas Ngidi raced in their Non Stop Dusi Noka K2 (Kayak Centre). Enjoying the added stability with the rough conditions – big waves and strong winds, they made their break into the lead on the first of three portages, and never looked back. Lucas Mthalane and John Ngcobo paddled together for the first time this year and did incredibly well to place second. Brothers Nhlanhla and Richard Cele surprised their teammates when they gallantly hung onto third.

 These results are a great confidence builder for the ‘Change a Life’ guys, it shows us that we are on track with our training.

 However no time to sit back. This coming weekend will test six of my very best athletes as they tackle the ‘Ironman’ (Triple Challenge – 20km run, 52km Mtb, 18km paddle). I will be observing every step, providing support/encouragement, watching them redefine their limits, in terms of endurance barriers.

 ‘Stand at Ease’ Book launch

I really recommend you to get your hands on the hilarious account of Gary Green’s adventure of completing his first Dusi. The book is called ‘Mad Cows and River Spiders’. I guarantee you’ll absolutely love it.

AUTHOR OF “SPUD” - JOHN VD RUIT, GARY GREEN, MART, WAYNE FYVIE 

So now by popular demand he has written another book – ‘Stand at Ease’. Its about his ill-spent youth serving uncle Magnus Malan in the army, doing as little as possible, snivelling out of almost everything. 

 Hilton 50 Miler Mtb Race

Taking place at the beautiful grounds of Grace College near Hilton, the scene was set for some magnificent riding. However the heat wave of note played havoc amongst those brave Mtb’ers racing the 115km and 75km distances. Race organisers made a snap decision to shorten both the above distances to 60km to avoid eminent heat exhaustion amongst those participating.

I think it was a wise decision considering that by the 40km mark, riders were taking time out swimming in dams and reservoirs en-route in an attempt to bring their core body temperatures down and there were an abnormally high amount of cyclists pushing their bikes up hills. Maybe the racing through Devil’s Cauldron at 40 degrees plus, made the heat seem okay. However a ditch out of nowhere on a single track section nailed me proper. This was no Formula One pittstop, sitting on the side fixing the burst front and back wheels with a limp left wrist,  saw me ride off 11min 47sec later. Once this Blog is posted, I’m off to get some X-Rays. From the swelling and pain, I’m thinking its at best fractured…. and this was supposed to be the start of my Epic training. Oh well.

               Eric Zondi, Grant van der Walt, Thomas Ngidi, Nhlanhla Cele.

It seems some other world class paddlers are joining the world of multisport…? if this paddler has what he has to move a boat so sweetly on water, then his bike ain’t going to touch the ground much. 

So far real Dusi training has been on hold with the focus being on the Triple ‘Ironman’. It has been great to expose my ‘Change a life’ team to multisport and this diversity allows for goal-setting throughout the year as well as adding continuous exposure for and value to the sponosorship package.

Tom Ngobo is back after a very successful Africa Champs. On being selected for the SA development team to compete in the Ivory Coast, Tom’s commitment and dediction to training jumped to a new level. He is by far my strongest paddler, (I just wish I could say the same for his running, with Dusi in mind. But then again, these valley boys are great at pulling occassional ‘rabbits out of hats’). Tom’s 2^nd in the 500m and 3^rd in the 1000m at Africa Champs was well deserved.

Triple Challenge training hit its peak this weekend. After a few quality sessions during last week, myself and 6 of my guys joined Max Cluers pre-race mtb-course recce ride from Camperdown to Inanda Dam. This 52km cycle route has seen many changes since the start of this multisport event, and I think they have now established a pretty unique off-road route. (Previously it was quite possible to race this course with slick tyres as majority of the ride followed tar roads). On one section of remaining tar, I did have to stop for my warriors to check out the Comrades Wall-of-Fame, (a race i am certain many of them will do one-day when they are old but still as light and as fit as ever).

A 200m hike-a-bike section joins the competitors onto an awesome single-track that winds its way down into the Inanda Dam valley and onto the final section of the course which runs along the edge of the Dam and which has three ’stings in the tail’- well worth saving a little bit of legs for these three ’speed-bumps’.

Having said 6 of my boys made the training ride, I was surprisingly impressed by Zonele, who hadn’t got the message about our departure time from the valley to the start of this recce ride so missed the bus, but on arriving at Inanda Dam there he was having made his own way there following the course of the Dusi on his trusty 2-wheeled steed.

Ozzie Gladwin, the biggest 1-day paddle race in the country sees in the start of a new Dusi year, again… and with that, a very successful year gone by for my ‘Change a life’ academy. Having said that, a huge thanks to Computershare for believing in the Martin Dreyer ‘Change a Life’ Academy, and to Hi-Tec and USN for their continued invaluable support.

 New recruit, 17yr old Scelo Mzolo joins the ‘Change a life’ Academy. He will partner with his good friend Siboniso Shozi (16yrs old) for the 2010 Dusi. 

My initial thoughts of training young black guys in the Valley of a Thousand Hills started when I was training with Bungi- Michael Mbanjwa, for the 2008 doubles dusi and spending endless hours at Nagle Dam. We were never the only two sweating it out, trailed by a mass of eager youngsters, on the dam and during our run sessions. It was always humbling for me to see these local warriors dragging the most porous of  vessels to the waters edge, not only to the start of training, but during the course of the session as their boats gradually filled with water and they finally had to succumb to emptying them before full submersion. And if that wasn’t hard-core enough, it continually amazed me as myself and Bungi bounded our way comfortably along the rocky and thorny trails with these barefoot youngsters nipping at our heels. 

It took more than a few disturbed nights of waking and scribbling down ideas as to find the best way to make a project like this sustainable and a valuable learning experience for those involved. As I have seen with so many ‘development programmes’, disadvantaged children are bussed in droves to an event, given the sponsors t-shirt and a post-race cooldrink and hotdog and shipped home. No continuity and the organisers reap the benefits of feeling like hero’s for a day.

My years of professional racing have taught me that the factors that are needed to produce the most successful athlete are values such as dedication/focus, hard-work, discipline, team-work and goal setting etc… that apply to everyday life and are needed in order to achieve outside of sport.  

Thinking out the Box….

OZZIE GLADWIN CANOE RACE.

Apart from the debacle of a start, the race operated like a well oiled machine. Paddlers loved the extra technical river section with the finish further downstream.

Race Organisers NCC, applied all the Bells &Whistles to the Ozzie Gladwin Canoe Race – Hansa/Powerade girls at the finish, post race lunch race….

Long time friends, Thomas Ngidi and Eric Zondi were the first ‘Change a Life’ athletes across the line, placing 6^th overall. Chasing hard, only 28 seconds behind were team-mates Zonele Nzuza and Nhlanhla Cele, coming 8^th. Hot on their tail, 10 seconds adrift, were the new combination of Skhumbuso Ngidi and Nkosi Cele in 9^th position. 

Juniors Mzamo Zondi and Mmeli Cele came an impressive 16^th overall, second under 18 crew. The other newly formed junior crew of Siboniso Shozi and Scelo Mzolo limped across the line having damaged their old boat enroute. These two eager youngsters have been watching the other ‘Change a life’ athletes from the side-line. They are super keen. I look forward to taking them to the next level, providing them with a greater support base to see just how good they can be.

Lucas Mthalane’s Dusi partner John Ngcobo couldn’t make the race and so paddled K1. Mark Mulder’s misfortune (wrapping his boat a kilometer from the finish) was a lucky break for Lucas, allowing him to claim the honour of first K1 across the line.  

Len and Hank were the last to set off from the disjointed start, but nevertheless powered their way up to the front bunch and then proceeded to drop everyone on the run, and paddle pat Malone to the end, beating the hot Dusi crew of Ant & Bungi by 64seconds (first & second in this year’s Dusi).

Hilary Pitchford and Abie Adie were the first women crew, 17th overall.

The Dusi Umngeni Conservation Trust’s (DUCT) first Trail Run of  a 3 part series was a starting success and sure to explode with  numbers as runners that experienced  the beautiful and challenging course in the Bishopstowe area of PMB won’t want to miss out the next race that takes place at one of the most exquisite and hidden secret venues also just outside Pietermaritzburg, called Cumberland.

For my ‘Change a life’ warriors, the 15km course was as testing as all  the other races they have experienced as ‘novices’. They chased the mens leader, Iain Don-Wauschope, with their  hearts wanting to explode from their chests, in hope of making it onto the podium and into the prize money. Majority of the route was a Trail Runner’s paradise, where athletes traversed the technical terrain on single track. Having crossed the Dusi below the ‘Hole in the Wall’ portage, runners made their way back on the opposite side of the River. ‘Change a Life’ athletes, Nhlanhla and Zonele finished in 2nd and 3rd  position respectively, saying it was well worth every effort and hard breath. The rest of the ‘Change a life’  athletes all  finished in the top ten . 

FISH TRIPPING

Eric Zondi blasted off on the run at the start of the final Jeep Msinsi Albert Falls race, no doubt putting some hurt into the rest of the top male competitors as they kicked into top gear in order to stay as close as they could to this ‘Change a life’ warrior.

Well, it seemed to be a great day for my team of new multisport athletes, as we watched Eric maintain a second place behind Andrew Birkitt for much of the bike route. It was incredible to see the improvement of my guys as they negotiated the thorn trees and fast-flowing single track in true mountain biker style.   

Having tagged each other on the run, Zonele, Nhlanhla and Kwanda all had a steady ride. Kwanda, racing as consistenly as he does, powered his way up a few positions and led his team-mates into the bike/paddle transition. Each of these three had to deal with some minor bike mechanical issues en-route but kept up the fight till the very end.

 For the first time during this Jeep Msinsi series, the dam was like glass. There was little chance of my conditioned paddling boys making any significant moves up the field as the top contenders and only seasoned paddlers, were relieved by the breathless and ripple-free conditions.

Eric, although having run like a gazelle and biked to the best of his ability (at this stage), had to surrender two more positions to experienced mountainbikers, Jeep athletes Trevor and Justin. Even so, Erics 4^th place was a great indication of his awesome multisport potential. 

Kwanda cruised in in 6^th, Zonele 8^th and Lucas into 9^th.

Now is time to pick up the distance in preparation for the Triple Challenge on Sunday 15^th November, which will be another exciting quest for me at ‘extracting’ the raw multisport talent of my ‘Change a life’ team.   

After loading the bikes and boats and feasting on my ’secret’ racing and recovery food, banana peanutbutter samies and USN Muscle Fuel ‘milkshakes’, my guys chaperoned 40 or so U/8 kids, mainly orphans, from the Valley of a Thousand Hills, who had been brought by ManLine to take part in the days racing activities.

For most, their first racing experience… a 2km dash along the edge of Albert Falls Dam. As usual with little and highly excited kids, there was no such pace as slow as they all sprinted for as long as their tiny legs could hold out and from there on my boys encouraged them till each ‘broke the finish line tape’. 

11AM. PARK STATION, PRETORIA: 1 Luxury Rovos Rail Steam Train. 72 Road Bikes and 72 Corporates, (as I thought, ‘like lambs to the slaughter’). This was as real as a scene from a movie, and as such movies go, the start of the Mystery Train Tour.

Computershare’s annual fundraiser for their ‘Change a life’ Trust was about to unfold more magically than the last, but as usual with the most incredible red carpet treatment imaginable. This however all comes at a ‘small’ price… 4 days of bum-chaffe, sweat  and gears - which certainly earns the honest man his meals and unwinding-time.

Mysteries remain mysteries, as I am still uncertain of where we cycled on the final day. None of the previous days were a clue to the next day as the train can travel up to 700km at night. Having found ourselves entering the Oranje Volkstaat (with their Koeksister Monument) on the very first day, cycling the full circumference of Gariep Dam on day two and waking up on day three within the boarders of Lesotho (not forgetting having to ascend 2300m of ‘God-help-us Pass’, under our own steam), there wasn’t any connected pattern of travel apart from the railway line.

If it hadn’t been for my boys then I wouldn’t have realized the enormity of the back-up squad which kept the tour rolling smoothly. A while ago, Computershare asked if three of my strong warriors would be happy to assist during the event, moving, carrying, unloading, packing… and of course they would be able to eat and (gym) and rest well in the most luxurious accommodation far beyond their wildest  dreams. The process of having, Lucas, Kwanda and Bhetwel issued with passports before the event was well worth the long queues and frustratingly busy government departments, as they were exposed to ‘a world’ very few people experience.   

During my interview with Max at the race, i said i was a little sad that a race takes place at MY best kept secret training location, Nagle Dam, home to my ‘Change a Life’ team of warriors.

But it is a magic place that outdoor junkies must experience.

There were a number of bonuses for this Jeep Msinsi’s venue: Firstly, it was a real treat for my boys to get to lie in on the morning before the race and walk to the start line from their homes. Secondly, the logistics for me were a huge pleasure and i felt more relaxed than past race days. Thirdly, Shayne Vervoort from our sponsors, HI-TEC, was able to witness our Change a Life ‘operation’ and get to see exactly where his shoes are put to the test.

My boys took up their place right on the start-line and bolted at the sound of the Vuvuzela. Eric took the run lead straight away and built on it throughout the tough 5km’s of up-and-down. A number of my boys followed in hot pursuit of their team member and took off on the bike hoping that they would be able to keep ahead of far more experienced and strong multisporters such as, JP van der Linde, Trevor Hellens and Andrew Birkett. It wasn’t far out of trainsition that Eric started battling with his bike gears which plagued him for the rest of the 20km cycle leg, throwing him out of contention for a top ten finish. Lucas, with his give-all racing attitude rode steady till the transition and paddled home to 7th position and as my top ‘Change a Life’ finisher. Zonele 8th, Kwanda 9th and Nhlanhla 13th, all finished within 4min of Lucas’s finishing time.

Thomas, taking it easy from a slight niggle, raced as a two person team with a young guy i spotted running in the valley a week or so ago and finished 2nd in their category. Thomas’s mom and sister were so excited to be able to see exactly what Thomas gets up to on the weekends and why he spends his time training at the dam.

Many of the boys that live close to Nagle and paddle train at the dam were inspired by their mates taking part in a ‘foreign’ multisport event and are all super keen to give ’such a hard sport’ a go.

Whilst the rest of the ‘Change a Life’ athletes burned calories training for next week’s Jeep Msinsi Multisport race, Tom and Lucas raced in the Africa Champs Development Trial.

The cream of Development paddlers from around SA (Cape Town, JHB & Durban) descended upon Nagle Dam on Friday to attend the trial for choosing a team to represent South Africa at the African Sprint Championships in Cocody Bay, Abidjan - Ivory Coast. The team will consist of two seniors, two juniors and a girl.

1000m Final

‘Change a Life’ athlete Tom Ngcobo had a slow start, lying 5^th going through the 250m mark. Passing the 750m buoy, he had ground his way to the front and thereafter kept inching further ahead of the other contenders, to cross the line first.

1. Tom Ngcobo (Change a Life) – 4min 12sec
2. Loveday Zondi (Scarc) – 4min 14sec
3. Nkosi Mzolo (Scarc) – 4min 17sec

 500m Final

This was a spectacular showdown, with only 3 seconds seperating the top four contenders. Tom won by a boat length to Nkosi Mzolo. Top 10 Dusi finisher, Lucas, struggled with the explosive speed needed for such a short race, finishing seventh.  

1. Tom Ngcobo (Change a Life) – 1min 51sec
2. Nkosi Mzolo (Scarc) – 1min 52sec
3. Loveday Zondi (Scarc) – 1min 53sec

In the other races, Tom finished 4th in the 200m and Lucas raced cunningly to finish 2nd in the 4000m.

The Cape based Paarl Canoe Club won all the Junior (under 18) division races, with Joseph Williams dominating the gold positions and the sensational under sixteen paddler, Diveano Peterson claimimg silver.

Shae-Earl Dewee (Paarl), likewise made a clean sweep in the woman junior and senior divisions.

Although the selectors have yet to announce the Team.

Very well done to Tom. I’ll bet money on it….