OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Monday 1.00pm.
THE largest part Dusi river has been declared safe by Dusi Canoe Marathon organisers after heavy rains lashed KwaZulu-Natal.
The river has been deemed safe for paddlers who want to fit in some late training ahead of the three-day event next month, but paddlers are advised to avoid the river below the Inanda Dam wall.
Derek Howe, head of safety for the Dusi said that there have been a number of wash-outs, and that the Molweni causeway has been washed away. Most of the roads are also full of mud.
Howe advised paddlers to stick to day one and day two courses, and to be careful of trees and floating debris.
The river has, however, had a good flushing and the hyacinth blockage on day three has been washed away.
According to Howe, this means that the 3km portage can now be paddled, which bodes well for the stronger paddlers at the front of the field.