Dusi River Canoe Marathon Preview with 8x Dusi medallist Christie Mackenzie & Saskia Hockly, top contenders to win the women's race

*Note - there are a few moments of small audio issues in this episode due to technical/internet issues while recording, but it should still be listenable. Please bear with us and thanks for your patience.

It's the most famous canoe race in Africa, and one of the most famous races in the world -- so much so that there's a whole film about it, "Beyond the River."The Dusi River Canoe Marathon is legendary for dangerous rapids, brutally long portages, hot temperatures, and top paddling talent. In 2026, the Dusi is celebrating its 75th edition.

Christie Mackenzie and Saskia Hockly have teamed up to go for the win in the women's race, and joined us on Paddlecast to talk through the race itself, their preparation and training approach, and who the top crews will be in 2026. Christie has raced the Dusi 10 times, and won 4 gold medals in K1 with another 3 silver medals in K2 (and 1 silver in K1). She's hoping that racing with Saskia will be the key to finally winning in K2. Saskia currently holds the surfski doubles (SS2) World Championship title with Matt Fenn from last October's racing in Durban, and she won a K2 silver medal with Christie at the Marathon Canoe World Championships in 2024. Their plan to win? Christie brings the Dusi experience, driving all the right lines through the rapids, and Saskia brings the flat water speed and endurance. Their biggest competition will be Abby Solms / Robyn Groenink. Abby is one of the most decorated women in Dusi history with three K2 wins and one K1 win. She has gotten the better of Christie before, but Christie is determined to take the win this year.In the men's race, Andy Birkett and Matt Fenn are back after their 2024 win together to try and repeat for another win. If they succeed, Andy Birkett will break the record for the most Dusi wins ever held by one person: 16. Two crews will also be challenging for the win though. The experienced crew of Sbonelo Khwela and Msawenkosi Mtolo finished 2nd to Andy / Matt in 2024, and this could be the year they take the top spot. Sandile Mtolo and Bongani Ntinga are also top competitors: they're a younger crew who showed their strength at the recent Bishopstowe to Dusi Bridge, a Dusi pre-race, where they particularly shined in their running speed.

Starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in the Blue Lagoon in Durban, the Dusi covers 120 kilometres over 3 days. Each day brings different obstacles and challenges, from 2 - 4 kilometre portages where paddlers must run with the boat on their shoulders, to rapids where a small mistake can easily wrap a boat, to long stretches of flat water where fatigue and pain become impossible to ignore.

00:11 Episode preview & introductions

04:57 Race walkthrough, day 1 to day 3

22:51 Christie / Saskia’s partnership and “secret sauce”

26:56 - How do you train & prepare for the Dusi?

30:57 - Race preview, top contenders to win the women’s race

36:42 - Race preview, top contenders to win the men’s race

Follow the Dusi via the race’s website and social media:

Dusi Race Website: https://dusi.co.za/

Dusi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dusicanoemarathon/

Dusi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DusiCanoeMarathon

Dusi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDusiCanoe

And follow Christie and Saskia here:

https://www.instagram.com/cjmac_kenzie/

https://www.instagram.com/saskia._hockly/

#dusirivercanoemarathon #southafrica #marathoncanoe