Written by Clive Evans.
The Drak Challenge, a fantastic river, a beautiful part of our country, a great vibe – one of the best races on the calendar.
27 and a half Dabs Characters flew our flag, 25 finished. Top of the pile was young Brad Boule who was stoked to finish 8th overall and almost 20 minutes ahead of the next Dabs guy. Our spies tell us he was training there over Christmas, so that clearly paid dividends. That’s our Brad, not only good, but also hot – he was heard saying he’s “the best looking blonde at Dabs”. Interestingly Brad was only 5th in the U23’s, so it looks like there’s a new order coming through at the sharp end. After Brad, the next Dabs paddler home was Christie. Although she no longer lives in Jo’burg, she hasn’t left Dabs because she knows we’re “the best club in the whole dam universe”. Well done to CJ for a convincing win in the ladies, proving her point after the opfok at Fish. At the other end of the field, respect to Flem Puppy who was the last K1 home after a very long day one. Last, but he was also stoked and will tell you he had a fantastic weekend. Perhaps because he also had a lot of beer, and some good company.
Respect to Super Cooper for his finish; this was his first river in over 3 years following a motor bike accident. He did more miles in the race than in all his training since then. Respect also to our two K1 non-finishers, Karen and Sarah who both finished the more challenging day 1; but Sarah got ill and opted not to paddle the longer day 2, while Karen got to Glenhaven but was tired (and tired of swimming) so she donated her boat to a complete stranger who had wrapped his, so he could carry on. He said she could trust him, because he knows Moolies. Asides from Christie, Kirsty was our only other lady finisher; she isn’t in the official results, but finish she did; well done Potty.
Abuse for O’Connor who called for a social 4 ball with his mates at the start of day 2, but after 35km’s he noticed they were tiring, jumped on the wave of some faster doubles, and never looked back. Belkie is no longer talking to him; but wow, at seventy something Boet is still beating half the field. Talking halves, the ‘half’ person also needs to be called out. He’s adamant he made the right decision not to paddle the top half of day 1 to look after his boat, saying that the lower levels only suit lightweights, but we think that Scatter, with all his skill and experience, would have been just fine out there. Also abuse-worthy was the fact that our chairman / chairperson / chairlady was in Underberg, but for the running instead of the paddling; which makes us question her allegiances… Really E3? Then there were also a lot of cyclists in Underberg, many sporting EuroSteel colours, so the boss-man Woody Wilson was there, but he wasn’t paddling and didn’t have a sick note, so we are sad with him too. We hope to see these people, the ‘half’ guy, our valiant ladies, and a whole lot more of you who could have been there; at the start line in Dabs colours next year.
2024 will be the 30th edition of the Drak, and the organisers along with N3TC will no doubt put on a spectacle of note. We think that this may well become KZN’s premier river race in the near future, so plan to be a part it. But be warned; with E3’s running maaitjies, and Woody’s lycra-clad, muddy MTB mates, the town soon gets full. Beyond the competitors, even family and friends who were there absolutely loved being in the Berg. No, not on that cold river in the Cape – in the Drakensberg. So, talk to your partners and your mates, commit, book a spot early and go enjoy it all.
Dusi’s up next; good luck to our brave Dabs flag flyers, go make us proud; and here’s wishing you all lots of DABS FUN.
