Dabs News
Here we share all Dabulamanzi’s news so that we can honour our paddlers, share the excitement of the activities that happen on and off the water and relive our favourite memories.
If you have a story to share, send it to dabulamanzimedia@gmail.com .
Dabs New – The Stihl Umkomaas Marathon 2025
The rains came for the Drak and the Dusi – both were full, fast, and fun. And then the rains came for the Stihl Umko, making this full, fast, and fun at another level altogether. It was BIG. Day 1 started at 2.1m and increased to 2.4m. Apparently, the way the Umko...
Dabs News – March ’25 Rivers, Sprints, Marathons & More
It was a very busy weekend with pretty much all the different disciplines in play, what with the Non Stop and the One Hop, Mbanjwas to Josephines, Sprints and Kayak Cross down in KZN, Marathons at Florida Lake and novice trips on the Vaal River. On Friday a few...
Dabs News – Dusi 2025
Some traditions get stronger, others fade. What was once South Africa’s premier river race can no longer attract a title sponsor, nor can it start at its original location. Yet the challenge remains, and those who finished this year’s Dusi can feel as proud as ever....
Dabs News – Our Iron Men
Well done K&C. They might not look they are made of iron, perhaps because of too much KFC washed down with copious amounts of cold beer, but Kevin and Chuck are our latest Pope Ellis Iron Men, having completed the Midmar Mile, Comrades Marathon, and the Dusi Canoe...
Dabs News – N3TC Drak Challenge
To go or not to go, that was the question, as it looked like there would be little to no water for the 2025 N3TC Drak Challenge. Some were committed and some sat on the fence waiting, while the organizers sent out a deluge of pictures with the promise of rain. Still,...
Dabs News – Busting oceans and dams January 2025
Dabs is full of amazing characters – but Moolies Moolman is in an extraordinary league of his own; now having written history in making the fastest ever solo crossing of the Atlantic. But no Moolies trip is without a bit of drama and a tale or two; it wasn’t all plain...
Dabs News – December at Dabs
Absent last year (although he did have a doctor’s note) the Puppy couldn’t defend his title, but when he lined up for the 2024 Dabulamanzi 10-in-1, there were few who would have bet against him. He didn’t set a new record, (7mins 43 was slow by his standards and some...
Dabs News – The ADG Vaal and Other Reports
The first river race on record in South Africa was that of the Vaal in 1939, and this weekend saw Dabs and JCC host the 75th edition of this historic marathon. It may not have been the largest field ever, especially given that it was the SA K2 Champs, but it was quite...
Dabs News – The Adventures of Madmen and Our Own Moolies Moolman
History tells us that the Atlantic was first crossed by Scandinavians (Erik the Red), then by the Spaniards in 1492 (Christopher Columbus) and then by the Poms in 1496 (John Cabot). Hard men who weren’t scared of the vast seas or the unknown. Fast forward 500 years to...
Dabs News – The 4-Hour Enduro and Other Endurance Stuff
Sunday saw another successful running of the 4-Hour Enduro at Emmarentia. Well done and thanks to all who supported our event on what was an awesome day after the Boks beat the Poms, again. The 2-hour race for juniors, novices (and our teacher couple) was won by ‘The...