After the successful KZN Mixed Doubles Champs on the weekend, the N3TC Drak Challenge has added a team event to its race options, allowing paddlers to enter as two K1 craft, and enjoy the popular two-day outing on the uMzimkhulu through Underberg on 20 and 21 January. Initiated in 2016, the Mixed Doubles Champs organised
The fun-loving sport fanatics who make up The Cows have set their sights on the N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon in the Southern Drakensberg on 20 and 21 January, aiming to add momentum to their national fundraiser for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation. After launching a ‘Paddling Herd’ at the Fish Marathon in October, The
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the popular N3TC Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon on 20 and 21 January has been taken to a new level by the introduction of the FNB Drak Music Experience concert on the Saturday afternoon headlining the hugely popular local singer songwriter Matthew Mole. The concert is designed to integrate the large community
The stakes in the women’s race of the N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon on 20 and 21 January have been raised by the news that top Dutch river racer Eef Haase has entered the event. With seven times winner Abby Solms out of action with her first child due in the New Year, the door
Four-time champion Andy Birkett has committed himself to returning to the N3TC Drak Challenge on 20 and 21 January, motivated more by his deep love for racing on the uMzimkhulu River rather than a record setting fifth back-to-back win. The 26 year old from Pietermaritzburg, who finished second in the senior men’s K1 race at
The popular two-day 62 kilometre N3TC Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon celebrates its 25th anniversary this year on 20 and 21 January, with the event now well established in the trio of South Africa’s best supported canoe races. Entries for the 2018 race opened this week and look certain to attract another field of close to
Andy Birkett scooped his fourth N3TC Drak Challenge title as he out sprinted the reigning world champion Hank McGregor at the end of a riveting 65km canoe marathon that also entrenched Abby Solms as the race’s most successful paddler when she won her seventh women’s title. From the first stage start at Castleburn in the
The 2017 N3TC Drak Challenge got underway in misty, rainy conditions on Saturday however the racing at the front of the field was white hot as Hank McGregor won an end sprint to the line against Andy Birkett while Abby Solms laid down a significant marker when she powered to yet another stage win at
0 – the number of compulsory portages on the race 1 – the number of international winners of the race – Max Hoff (Germany) in 2007 2 – the number of weirs on the race 3 – the number of athletes to have won three consecutive titles – Abby Solms, Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett
As the summer rains replenish water stocks throughout the Southern Drakensberg, paddlers from all over the country will be making the journey to Underberg to tackle what is expected to be one of the best N3TC Drak Challenge’s in a number of years when the race gets underway on Saturday. The small town of Underberg
