with Martin Dreyer - Dabulamanzi Canoe Club

T R A I N S TAT I O N
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you can’t ignore paddling if you want
to call yourself a real, hair-on-your-chest
multisporter. It’s just part of the package.
But paddling is a fantastic sport all on its own, with
its own heroes, holy grails and history. South Africa
has iconic races including the Dusi, Non-stop Dusi,
Fish, Berg, Umko, Drak Challenge, Cape Point, Port
Elizabeth to East London and Scottburgh to Brighton.
So, even if you are a seasoned runner or a cyclist, a
mountain biker or even a swimmer, can you honestly
say you’ve tried paddling and not fallen in love with
it? If you can’t, what are you waiting for?
Before you get out there though, take into
consideration these wise words from multiple Dusi
champ Martin Dreyer.
The Duke
He’s the Duke and you’d better not forget
it. Not that the mild-mannered, even-keeled
guy called Martin Dreyer would object; it’s
just that he commands that kind of respect
from the paddling community after winning
seven K2 Dusi titles, seven Non-Stop Dusi,
and wins in the Vaal Canoe Marathon,
Breede Canoe Marathon and also the Avon
Descent in Australia.
But that’s not all, folks! He’s a
multisporter of note after winning the
prestigious (read: equivalent in Olympic
gold in multisport) Land Rover G4
Challenge final in 2006. He’s also won
major events in codes such as adventure
racing (Bull of Africa) and surfski paddling
(the far-out Cape Point Challenge) so if
there’s anyone we should listen to about all
sorts of paddling, it’s Martin.
Start Paddling
He compiled and edited this special issue
with his usual enthusiasm for sharing his
knowledge and especially race tactics,
which also shows in the results his squad
of Computershare Change a Life athletes
have been achieving over the past two
years. Wily old dog!
with Martin Dreyer
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L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
Vol 14.5
Nov • Dec 2010
L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
Tell it like it is
When you do fall out, break your boat or have a
bad swim, it is no use blaming it on bad luck. There
is no bad luck on the river. Disasters that befall
you are usually the result of incompetence or bad
management.
If you are paddling under Mission Bridge at Dusi and
a cow or taxi falls on you, ending your race - yes, that
is bad luck.
If you fall out at the top of Ernie Pearce weir or hit
another canoe on Inanda Dam which puts an end to
your race - that is incompetence.
If, while you are approaching Island Two and you
press hard right on your pedal and the rudder cable
snaps and you wipe out - that is bad management,
because you really should have checked your steering
before the day’s stage.
If you decide, against all advice to bypass the
Ngumeni take-out and paddle down Mamba Gorge that is just plain stupidity.
Of course, all of us have been (and most of us still
are) guilty from time to time of incompetence, bad
judgement and poor management. Simply: if we look
for the error and admit it was our own fault, then we
can (hopefully) avoid that error the next time. If you
simply blame it on bad luck, there is no room for
improvement.
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Gear up
Riverside repair
Head gear Wear a cap or hat and remember
to tie it on to your PFD, so that you don’t lose
it in the bigger rapids or “so a Valley piccanin
doesn’t snatch it off your head,”
quips Dreyer. Many paddlers
tie a handkerchief, bandana
or piece of cotton cloth
around the back of their cap to
protect their neck and ears from
sunburn.
As with any sport, it’s important to have
the right equipment. But before you go out and
spend your hard-earned cash on gear and apparel,
borrow first and see how it goes on the water.
Only look at purchasing your own gear once you
know that you’re hooked.
Bare essentials for your
paddling race repair kit
Spare wing-nuts
Full roll of duct tape
Eyewear A good idea, especially on sunny days when glare
off the water can cause problems. Glasses are easy to lose
in the water, so get a watersport-specific model or fit sport
straps to the arms so they stay on your face.
Hydration What you drink with while training is what you
should race with. Don’t try anything new and untested
during a race just because someone famous or really
fast races well on it. Look at a two-litre Tripper system:
one-litre on the front and one-litre on the back. Drink from
the bladder at the back first. You can also use a Camelbak
hydration pack.
Paddle You’re not going anywhere without one of these
babies. Don’t compromise strength for lightness. “I
use a flexible shaft which is easier on the muscles
and tendons (carbon blades with a 40% carbon
and 60% glass shaft). Tip for basic length - your
fingers should just curl over the top of the
paddle in the vertical position,” says Dreyer.
PFD Personal flotation device.
Compulsory piece of kit. Don’t let
yourself get on the water without
one and don’t expect to be
allowed to race either. If you are
doing a lot of portaging, Dreyer
recommends padding your
shoulders. “Sew high-density
foam to your t-shirt or PFD.”
photo jacques marais
T R A I N S TAT I O N
Tube of adhesive to help stick
duct tape onto a wet hull
Martin Dreyer’s Change a Life Academy has produced some top
paddlers, such as Eric Zondi. He is the current Non-Stop Dusi
Champion, finished third overall at Dusi 2010 and second at
Triple Challenge 2009
Short piece of wire
ABC of paddling
Shirt Most paddlers wear vests or
lightweight lycra short or long-sleeve
shirts. Either way, protect yourself from
the sun.
Splash cover An essential piece of river
kit that keeps water out of the boat. Make
sure it’s securely fastened before getting
underway.
Shoes Wear old running shoes or racing
flats. If necessary, shape/cut the outside
back of each shoe to fit snugly into the
‘V’ of the hull. Make sure you can fit your
feet into the boat and steer (this is worth
practising). You may have to adjust your
seat position or angle your pedals forward
slightly. A shoe with good breathability
means quicker expulsion of water, so it will
dry quicker.
String to replace broken
cables, or a length of cable
and cable clamps
You can’t just hop in a canoe and race
There are three classes in canoeing: A, B and C. Just
like school, you should be aiming for an A+. However,
there are various tests to pass and experiences to gain.
After completing the flatwater proficiency test you must
complete at least three flatwater races, dices, trips or
club time trials before completing the river proficiency
test. Once you are CBR rated, you can enter both C and
B class river races. But remember, you are aiming for
A+. To get an A rating you must finish six C or B class
races. It’s strongly recommended that you do some B
river races as part of the six, don’t just go for the easier
C class races. After completing a minimum of three A
class races, you will be eligible to enter an A+ class
race.
Small screwdriver
Small pair of pliers
For crash test dummies
• Resin
A Class races Berg Marathon, Breede Marathon, Fish Marathon, Vaal
Marathon, 50 Miler, Dusi Marathon, Drak Challenge and Orange River
Marathon.
• Catalyst
A+ Class races Lowveld Croc Marathon, Umkomaas Marathon, Tugela
Marathon, Ithala Challenge, Bushmans to Weenan Road, Hella-Hella to
Josephines Bridge, Josephines Bridge to Riverside.
• Empty mixing can
• Fibre-glass
• Paint brush
• Plastic packet to put over
the repaired patch to give
it a smooth finish (so it
doesn’t need sanding)
When it comes to your choice of craft, endurance kayaking world record holder Ian Adamson says, “Start with the
fastest, most unstable boat you can paddle. In my experience this will help develop balance, a higher and more efficient
cadence and good paddling technique much faster than a slow, stable boat. Slow stable boats are wide, which forces
a very wide paddle stroke. Their stability prevents adequate balance development, and their lack of speed forces a low
cadence, which is inefficient and induces greater forces on the muscles, tendons and joints.”
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Vol 14.5
Nov • Dec 2010
L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
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Dusi dangers
By all means take advice
on canoeing matters, but
consider the source.
ԎԎ If one of the top paddlers
says something is dangerous believe them - it is dangerous.
ԎԎ If a Dusi rat does not want to paddle
a specific section, for example past
Island One, there is a reason for it.
As a novice crew, you may be better
off portaging.
ԎԎ If a rat or a top paddler says a
section is “nothing to worry about”,
get the opinion of two fish ‘n chips
paddlers (non-hotshots) who know
the river well.
Weather Wise
Check local forecasts
for rain. A big cloud
burst in the right spot
can take you from
an easy day out to a
flooding nightmare
in no time at all. Current river levels are very
important.
You can check various river levels on the DWAF
website or contact the local paddling club to
make sure what is potting. www.dwaf.gov.za
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Logistics Make sure that your seconds have the correct take-out info (no, not your KFC
order) as well as emergency contacts in case they get lost or you don’t get off the river. If
you are leaving vehicles at the put-in and take-out, make double sure that you have the
correct keys for the vehicle at take-out. Deon Breytenbach, Mohlatsi Adventures
Running with a K2
It is vital to practice running with a K2
with your partner. Focus on running in
rhythm and not necessarily in step. The
front paddler must remember the back
paddler cannot see the path as well and so
should warn the back paddler of obstacles,
including ditches and thorn bushes.
The paddler at the back
carries more weight,
therefore the stronger
runner with the boat
should be at the back,
especially when running
or walking uphill.
In narrow pathways with corners, like going
through Devil’s Cauldron at Dusi, make
sure the boat is on the outside shoulder.
The front paddler must move into the inside
of the turn, while the back person must
be prepared to extend their outside arm
supporting the K2, as the boat is pulled
away.
Swap shoulders when you
feel discomfort - it is not
necessary to wait for your
partner nor to coordinate
swapping shoulders.
However, rotating the
entire boat has to be done
together.
photo jacques marais
T R A I N S TAT I O N
Windguru is extremely popular with surfski
paddlers. www.windguru.cz
Surfski vs K1
on flatwater
Mart’s theory
In theory a surfski should
be faster because it has a
longer water-line. K1s are built
to a spec length which is limited to 5.2m.
However surfskis operate in rough conditions
and so can’t be too skinny (unstable). They
also need volume in the design, especially
the front half to elevate it over waves and
stop the nose diving on runs.
Although a K1 is shorter, due to it being
skinny as hell, it is faster.
From a standing start a K1 is faster (a
surfski’s footwells take in water at rest adding weight until forward motion sucks
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it out). Some argue that on a rolling start a
surfski holds its own.
If the ‘flatwater’ is rough, a surfski begins to
outperform a K1, because it’s now operating
in conditions it was built for. This is especially
the case if the K1 has an overstern rudder
which kicks up on small swells and steering
becomes almost non-existent, making the
boat track in one direction.
Take note - A smaller paddler would most
likely be faster in a K1, whereas a huge bloke
would be better off in a surfski. Dusi winner
Ant Stott says, “The heavier paddlers tend
to be faster in a surfski because the extra
length accommodates their weight better.”
L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
As a novice it would be a more pleasant
experience training on flatwater with a
surfski. If you fall out, you merely have to roll
it upright and climb back in. The paddler sits
on top of a surfski (it is sealed to stop water
getting inside). With a K1, you sit inside,
making it necessary to swim to the side to
empty if it capsizes and fills with water.
However, the bonus of sitting inside a K1 is
that when it’s cold you can wear a splash
cover, making you toasty warm from the
chest down. Even in the worst weather you
only need to wear a pair of paddling pants.
On a surfski, you are a lot more exposed.
Vol 14.5
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The safest places for
newbies to start paddling
PA
Martin Dreyer’s
Youngsters getting ready to hit the
water at Milnerton Canoe Club
10 rules of paddling
2 Don’t shoot unknown weirs. Check
them out from the bank first.
3 Never brace upstream. When you find
yourself sideways to the flow of the river, a
paddle in the water on the upstream side will
pull you over.
4
Stay upstream when swimming.
Never be on the downstream side of your
boat. If the boat hits a tree or rock, you could
get pinned between them.
5 Never stop paddling. When in trouble,
paddle like hell. You can hesitate for a second
in calm water before the start of the rapid in
order to scout out the best line, but once in
the rapid, keep paddling. Remember, you can
only steer when you are moving faster than
the water.
6 Be decisive. Even the wrong decision is
better than no decision. If you have decided
on a channel or route, stick to it. If it is the
wrong choice, make the best of that choice
rather than cutting across midway, and end
up wrapping your boat around a rock through
indecision.
photo lisa scott
1 Lean into the obstacle. Always lean into
the rock, tree, other paddler or whatever it is
you are about to hit. If you don’t, your canoe
could be knocked out from underneath you.
Also: Seekoeivlei in Lakeside (Peninsula
Canoe Club), V&A Waterfront canal,
Tyger Waterfront and Doordekraal Dam
(New Balance Tygervalley Canoe Club),
Keurbooms Lagoon in Plettenberg Bay
7 Don’t take unnecessary risks. There is
absolutely no shame in saying, “that’s bigger
than me” and stopping or portaging. Don’t
rely on the race organisers to stop you before
danger strikes.
8 Be prepared. Only you can ensure that
you are physically prepared and know that
your equipment is going to hold out.
9 If in doubt, check it out. If you are
unsure of the obstacle ahead, rather portage.
Also, never paddle alone or without a PFD.
PE’s North End Lake provides a safe
haven to learn the basics
10. Hug the corner. In a fast-flowing
river, you run the risk of being swept into
trees or the bank if you’re on the outside of a
corner. This applies especially if you cannot
see around the corner - here it’s best to
paddle in the slower moving water. The inside
allows room to manoeuvre.
ring tips
Start each stage with a full two litres. Drink at
all the watering stations - this will be sufficient
to see you through the day. If it is really
hot, fill up your drinking system at the later
watering stations. A two-litre fridge bottle is
an easy option to refill or when you meet your
seconds.
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KZN
Stella Canoe Club, Durban. Paddle in
Durban harbour away from commercial
traffic. It’s well protected against the wind,
there are no strong currents and it’s not
tide-dependent. There’s always deep water
to paddle in. Traffic on Maydon Wharf has
diminished significantly, says the club’s
Neels Meyer.
GPS: 29º53’57.31”S 31º00’28.36”E
Also: Blue Lagoon (Durban), Natal Canoe
Club (Pietermaritzburg), Zululand Kayak
Club (Richards Bay)
Eastern Cape
Blue Water Canoe Club, Port Elizabeth.
The calm waters of the North End Lake
adjacent to the new soccer stadium provide a
safe place to learn the basics.
GPS: 33°56’19.35”S 25°35’47.13”E
Also: Nahoon River (Border Canoe Club)
Dusi time...
Around Dusi timE, the Valley of a
Unlike Cape-based paddling, in the Dusi you
actually need to carry your drinking system on
your body - and not in the boat - because of
all the portaging.
Gauteng
Florida Lake Canoe Club, Johannesburg.
The lake’s circumference is only 1.6km, so
six laps gives you a 10km workout. You
are never too far from the banks of the lake
in case of a swim or you need to recover.
Hot showers in the clubhouse are an added
attraction for learners, especially in winter
or evenings.
GPS: 26°10’43”S 27°54’15”E
Also: Emmarentia Dam (Dabulamanzi
Canoe Club), Rietvlei Dam (Centurion
Canoe Club)
Thule has solutions that save your energy for
when it’s really needed. In the battle against
the elements.
Dusi wate
Thousand Hills can be very hot and humid.
Temperatures can reach the high 30s and
even low 40s when you’re going through
Devil’s Cauldron. It is extremely important to
drink enough during the race - roughly 700ml
per hour.
Western Cape
Milnerton Canoe Club, Cape Town. The
Milnerton Lagoon on the Diep River is
reasonably shallow and you can paddle close
to the sides. Large sections of the sides have
a gradual bank or are shallow. Care should
be taken as the lagoon is tidal. Access to the
lagoon is open to the public, free of charge.
GPS: 33°52’52.73”S 18°29’22.33”E
Hydroglide 873
Kayak Carrier 873
Hull-a-port 837
Roof Rack
Multi Purpose Holder 855
Quickdraw 838
Simply whip it out and replace with a full one
with iced juice.
Be self-sufficient as far as drinks are
concerned. You must always have enough
water with you in case you miss your seconds.
Drink regularly. Sip some water on the way
to the start off the day’s stage and then drink
throughout the day. It is important to drink
before you get thirsty, by that stage it is too
late and the heat and humidity will take its toll.
There is no excuse for being dehydrated.
Make sure your carbohydrate solution is not
too strong. You want about it at about 5%.
The ready-mixed USN Active provides a 7%
carbo solution, so dilute that a bit.
Drink one litre of carbohydrate liquid within
30 minutes of finishing each stage for quicker
recovery. Beer isn’t a bad choice, but recovery
drinks have more nutrients in them to reload
important glycogen stores and electrolytes
lost during exertion.
The water in the Dusi is dirty and has been
known to cause Dusi Guts. Spit out the first
sip of water when starting to drink to purge
your pipe, especially if it has been dragging in
the water.
Keep your mouth closed when going through
rapids to avoid swallowing the Dusi water.
Make sure you wash down your energy
sachets with sufficient water.
L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
Vol 14.5
Nov • Dec 2010
To find a dealer go to www.thule.co.za or call 0861 184853
L i f e ’s t o o s h o r t f o r o n e s p o r t
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