Weather outlook makes Drak Challenge a dramatic prospect

The big field of paddlers gathered in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg for the 28th edition of the iconic Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon will hold their breath ahead of the event.

The character of the race looks set to be moulded by a storm. Rain is expected over the Southern Drakensberg on Friday evening, just hours before the start of the first stage of the Drak Challenge on Saturday morning.

uMzimkhulu makes Drak Challenge unpredictable

The level of the uMzimkhulu River has fluctuated wildly this summer. The province experienced one of its wettest seasons in decades. The Southern Drakensberg river breaking its banks repeatedly during the holiday season. In the week before the annual two-day canoeing classic, however, the rains abated. The level of water in the river dropped quickly. All is not lost though.

In cases like this, the organisers start the race at Sinister Pool, eliminating the signature first 26km of the race through what is known as the Valley of a Thousand Rapids. However, with most weather forecasts pointing to a thunderstorm over the Southern Drakensberg peaks that form the catchment area, race bosses will only make the call on whether they run the full distance of the race or use the shortened format better suited to lower conditions as late as possible.

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Low river levels have dogged this popular race since the very full 2013 edition of the Drak. It has been in this period that Andy Birkett has established himself as the paddler to beat.

Since his first win in 2014, the Euro Steel star has not been beaten. Birkett has strung together a new record of seven back-to-back Drak wins, beating the top-class field of elite racers that always travels to Underberg to challenge for the title.

Three times winner Hank McGregor will be one of the paddlers praying for a downpour in the catchment area. The multiple world champion has struggled in the low river conditions in recent years. However he has more podium finishes than any other paddler in the race’s history.

Drak youth challenge

The early pace will be dictated by a brigade of young turks. The next generation are keen to turn the tables on Birkett and McGregor. Young paddlers like Dave Evans, Matt Fenn, Matt Millward, Stew Little and his younger brother Scott will be eager to make youthful energy and pace a key deciding factor at the front of the race.

Cape stars Mark Keeling and the new surfski world champion Nicky Notten, who recently won the SA K2 river marathon title with Birkett at the Fish River Canoe Marathon, have thrown their hats in the ring.

Hank McGregor sets out to win fourth Drak Challenge.

The women’s race will be just as compelling. Jenna Nisbet comes into the race as the defending champion. However, with a fiercely competitive Dusi K2 women’s race brewing, the K1 entries from the class of Jordy Peek, Christie Mackenzie, new surfski world champion Michelle Burn, juniors Saskia and Valmajean Hockly and the determined Bridgitte Hartley means that there will be very little margin for error in the women’s race.

Legends return

Throwing a cat amongst the pigeons is the return to competitive canoeing of Abby Solms.

Solms is the race’s most successful female paddler of all time. She has won it eight times since the full year in 2010. With a Dusi with Underberg local Bianca Haw in the pipeline, however, both women can be expected to figure prominently in the race for the title.

The event has attracted a big entry. Born in part out of the frustration of having the 2021 race cancelled under the tough lockdown at the beginning of last year. It forms a trio of events with the Drak Descent MTB races and the Run The River trails run. These are now collectively known as the Drak Adventure Weekend.

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The Drak Challenge canoe marathon takes place in Underberg on 29 and 30 January 2022.