Day 1 of Dusi taken by Birkett, Zondi

The duo put their boat in the water first after the Cabbage Tree portage maintaining their lead to the finish at Dusi Bridge ahead of Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocke, who finished at two hours, 39 minutes and three seconds.

Birkett and Zondi finished the day with a lead of about six minutes.

Meanwhile, Robyn Kime and Abbey Ulansky have won the first day of the women's race.

They were followed in closely by Abbey Adie and Anna Adamova - who reached the Dusi Bridge in second place.

The day's paddling took place in very hot conditions.

Men:

1. Birkett/Zondi (2:33:30)
2. McGregor/Mocke (2:39:03)
3. Schoeman/Adam (2:47:07)
4. Mhlophe/Nzuza (2:48:20)
5. Turton/Van Gysen (2:49:55)
6. Stamp/Cele (2:52:13)
7. Wood/Trautman (2:53:25)
8. Ntondini/Cruickshanks (2:53:49)
9. Zondi/Ngamalana (2:53:50)
10.Theron/Griffin (2:53:59)
11. Mthalane/Cele (2:54:23)
12. Biggs/Thompson (2:56:01) 13.
13 Houston/Kruger (2:25:04)
14. Hlongwane/Makhanya (2:57:17)
15. Mitchell/Lamble (2:57:18)
16. Smith/Ngidi (2:58:26)
17. Kime/Mbanjwa (2:59:14)
18. Chaplin/Mulder (2:59:22)

Ladies:

Robyn Kime and Abbey Ulansky won the opening stage.

They are 30 seconds clear of  Abby Adie and Ana Adamova in second spot.

Adamova, from the Czech Republic, showed plenty of character in completing the stage with a nasty gash to her knee.

The wound required eight stitches.

(File Photo: Gameplan Media)

- Shaun Ryan