The Drak is on

Weeks of countrywide rainfall have left the Umzimkulu river flowing full and fast, setting the scene for the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon in Underberg on February 25 and 26.

The race focuses on K1 craft for championship purposes, but has in recent years been very popular with K2 paddlers. As the race starts on the first paddleable stretch of the Umzimkulu river as it emerges from the Southern Drakensberg mountains at Castleburn, it is heavily reliant on summer rainfall to provide river conditions conducive to the race.

The race has enjoyed excellent full conditions for the last four years running, and the good rains have left the river, and its tributaries flowing well. More importantly, the soaking rain has ensured that the ground water table is very high, and most of the rainfall that is likely to fall in the ten days before the race, will flow into the river.

The race was first held as a two-day marathon from Castleburn to Early Mists Farm near the Coleford resort in 1994, when heavy rain triggered a flood that decimated the big field that gathered for the inaugural race.