Short Story
From 19–21 February 2026, Hilton College Kayak Club will race the Dusi Canoe Marathon — not just to compete, but to give back to the valley and river that have shaped generations of paddlers.
The Dusi is one of South Africa’s toughest endurance events: a 3-day stage race of roughly 120 km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, combining paddling and punishing portages (carrying the boat) through heat, hills, mud, and fast water. Teams typically cover around ±35–45 km per day, often racing for 3–7 hours a day depending on conditions. It demands grit, teamwork, and relentless stamina — and it’s the kind of challenge that forges young athletes for life.
We’re raising R40,000 to buy three junior boats for the Change A Life Academy. For many young paddlers who train and live along the Dusi River, a boat isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s the difference between talent being discovered or disappearing. A boat is a doorway: to training, fair competition, belonging, and hope.
Hilton College Dusi Teams 2026:
Rex Holdsworth & Jamie Byers
Adam Fitzsimons & Jack Heenan
Knox & Scott Rutherfoord (Father & Son)
Stuart & Rhett Beaumont (Father & Son)
Matthew Wilson & Jarryd Cole
Supporting young athletes early doesn’t just change one race or one season — it builds confidence, creates opportunity, and strengthens the future of South Africa. When these paddlers have boats, they have a platform. When they have a platform, they have a chance.
Let’s turn effort into opportunity — and competition into contribution.
Join us in making a difference – Paddle for lives. Paddle for change.
Hilton College Kayak Club – Dusi 2026 Campaign
Supported so far by 25 people.
Story
Martin Dreyer Change A Life Academy
In October 2008, seven times Dusi champion and South Africa’s multi-sport king, Martin Dreyer, launched the Martin Dreyer Change A Life Academy to prepare at least ten underprivileged youngsters from the Valley of a Thousand Hills, to become leaders in the Dusi Canoe Challenge. After four short months of training his goal was exceeded with 11 of his protégés romping home in the top 50, two of them in the top ten. The cross-country running league was launched in 2010 to extend the academy’s reach into a broader community and encourage hundreds of local school children to aspire to greater heights.
In addition to weekly food parcels which provide much needed support for their families, top performers have earned enough from their sporting achievements to build proper homes in the valley and many participants have secured employment (many as coaches) as a direct result of skills gained at the academy.
