As he approaches the 2025 Dusi Canoe Marathon, Andy Birkett is on the brink of equaling the legendary Graeme Pope-Ellis’s record of 15 Dusi titles.
However, despite his dominance in the race, Birkett isn’t focused on breaking records.
He has always remained humble and stuck to his philosophy of enjoying each race, and the 2025 edition, which runs from February 20-22, will be no different.
Birkett’s Dominance Over the Dusi Canoe Marathon
With an incredible streak of victories under his belt—having won every Dusi since 2014, and all but one since 2010—Birkett’s reign over the marathon is nothing short of extraordinary.
Now, just one win shy of Pope-Ellis’s record, his impressive consistency in the three-day race is remarkable, making him the name to watch in the 2025 edition.
A Well-Rested Andy Birkett Prepares for 2025
The Euro Steel paddler seems ready for another challenge, especially after taking time to rest ahead of the new season.
In a recent interview, Birkett expressed his excitement for the upcoming race.
Despite his vast number of wins, he remains grounded, saying, “I don’t know if I would call myself a Dusi legend… I’ve never tried to count the wins.”
His focus remains on enjoying the race, and he’s eager for the challenge, calling the Dusi an event he’ll continue to participate in as long as it remains enjoyable.
A Break Before the Big Race
After an eventful 2024 that included representing South Africa in the sprint events at the Paris Olympics, Birkett had the chance to take a brief break from paddling.
This time off has given him the opportunity to refresh and prepare for the busy year ahead, including the Drak and Dusi races.
“It was nice to be able to have two to three weeks with no paddling.
I haven’t been able to do that in a long time,” he shared.
With a long build-up to the 2025 Dusi, he’s excited to get back in the race mode after some well-deserved rest.
A More Conservative Approach to Training
As the 2025 Dusi draws closer, Birkett has made slight adjustments to his training plan, especially considering his history of injuries from running.
This year, he’s taking a more cautious and mindful approach to avoid overdoing it early on.
“Maybe I’m getting a bit older and a bit wiser,” he joked.
By focusing on cross-training and taking things slow, he’s been able to build up his fitness gradually.
One of the highlights of his training is the time spent paddling down the Umzimkhulu River in Underberg, where he enjoys daily sessions that don’t feel like traditional training but still serve to keep him fit.
Looking Ahead to Pre-Dusi Races
With the Dusi approaching, Birkett is looking forward to participating in some of the pre-Dusi races, including the Drak Challenge.
These events will serve as a way for him to get into “Dusi mode” and fine-tune his race strategy ahead of the main event.
The 2025 Dusi Canoe Marathon
The 2025 Dusi Canoe Marathon will once again bring together some of South Africa’s best river paddlers, all vying for the prestigious title of Dusi champion.
As the 74th edition of the race, it promises to be another thrilling contest.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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