Solms chasing Drak title number ten

Nine-time N3TC Drak Challenge champion Abby Solms will once again be looking to make her mark on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier paddling events when she returns to the Umzimkhulu River, with the experienced paddler setting her sights on an impressive milestone from 30-31 January 2027.

Solms has established herself as one of the most successful competitors in the history of the event with nine wins in 12 years with her last win coming in 2022. She is comfortably the most successful female paddler in the race’s history, however, despite her remarkable record, the motivation to return to Underberg remains as strong as ever, with the prospect of adding a tenth title providing an extra incentive.

For Solms, the appeal of the Drak Challenge extends well beyond the competitive element, with the unique combination of river conditions, challenging racing and community spirit making it a highlight on the paddling calendar.

“The Drak Challenge is a special event for so many reasons,” Solms said. “For me, it’s the combination of the clean water, fun rapids and challenging sections of seemingly endless flat water that makes it such a unique race.

“There is also something special about the community involvement and the incredible gees in Underberg over the weekend. It’s an atmosphere that keeps drawing you back,” she explained.

“With the incorporation of the trail run and mountain biking events, there is now something for everyone, which adds another dimension to the weekend and makes it an event that the whole community can get behind.”

Solms heads into the 2027 race not short of motivation as she prepares for another crack at the title. While her experience and previous success give her a strong connection to the race, she admits that there is still unfinished business on the Umzimkhulu.

“I have nine Drak Challenge titles to my name, so naturally there is a burning desire to make that ten! Every time I line up for this race, I want to give myself the best possible chance of performing well. Having enjoyed so much success here over the years, the motivation to compete and challenge for another title is certainly still there,” she said.

Preparation remains important, although Solms believes her years of experience on the river have given her a valuable understanding of what lies ahead.

“I do enjoy getting out on the river and training on it whenever I can, although getting to Underberg has become a little more challenging these days. That said, I like to think that the experience I’ve built up over the years means I still remember the lines and have the necessary skills to negotiate the river,” she added.

The Umzimkhulu River presents paddlers with a varied challenge, requiring them to balance aggression and composure as they navigate the technical rapids while managing the demanding stretches between them.

For Solms, it is the ability to maintain that balance, particularly through the river’s gorge sections, that can make the difference.

“One of the biggest challenges is being able to race hard and confidently through the gorges and rapid sections while remaining composed at the same time. You need to be aggressive when the opportunity presents itself, but you also have to stay in control and limit the mistakes. On a river like the Umzimkhulu, small errors can prove costly, so finding that balance between pushing hard and paddling smart is really important.”

While Solms’ own ambitions remain firmly focused on another successful campaign, she is equally encouraged by the growth of the next generation of female paddlers and the number of young competitors making their presence felt in the sport.

“There are a lot of juniors coming through and racing, which is incredibly exciting to see. The next generation is looking strong and it is great to see young paddlers embracing the sport and challenging themselves. They will certainly keep us ‘oldies on our toes’ and that is exactly what you want to see. Having that new generation coming through is important for the future of paddling,” she said.

The N3TC Drak Challenge takes place on 30 and 31 January 2027 in Underberg and entries are open.