Dusi star in Berg race

Zondi, who successfully partnered Andy Birkett to 2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon victory in February, made his maiden Berg appearance last year and is eager to build on from the solid platform he laid down for himself at this year’s contest.

“If I can beat my ninth place I got last year then I’ll be happy and if I can finish in the top five this year then I’ll be very happy!” explained the popular Euro Steel/Computershare Change a Life athlete.

Despite his Berg journey being very much in its infant stages still, Zondi feels he learnt a great deal during his first challenge and is looking forward to implementing the lessons he learnt this time around.

“The Berg is very tough and very long so you have to make sure you’ve trained properly for it and you’re ready,” said Zondi.

“Last year there were six of us together early on and in order the guys to race in a diamond. The guys were trying to shake off two and so were really pushing the pace in the first hour.

“After an hour I decided there was still a very long way to go and if I went at that pace then I would blow so I dropped back and paddled at a pace I was comfortable at.

“That meant that my chances of finishing in the top five were already damaged because it’s very difficult to come back once you’re behind in the Berg. “I’ve learnt from this though and in my training for this year’s race I’ve been doing a lot more interval training to try make sure I have enough speed to stay with the front bunch on day one!”

While many turn to flatwater marathon racing during the South African winter, the young man from Shongweni who captured the country’s paddling fraternity’s heart during this year’s Dusi sees the Berg as his ideal off-season focus.

“Instead of sitting at home doing nothing during the winter, training for the Berg helps me build a very good base that I can then use for Fish in October and even next year’s Dusi,” explained Zondi.

“I’ve never finished in the top 10 in my K1 at the Hansa Fish so hopefully my Berg base will help me achieve this this year, maybe even get a Fish podium!”

Having started his training in the first week of May, Zondi’s build up has gone smoothly thus far however the young star knows all too well just what he is in for from 16-19 July and that things can change very quickly should conditions turn nasty.

“Day two was my toughest day last year because I was on my own and didn’t know where I was going. Hopefully now that I’ve done the Berg once before, I’ll know where I am a bit better and will know where to go if I’m on my own again this year,” said Zondi.

“Things change though and if the water level or weather is different, then the race becomes very different too!”

“Last year was nice and warm but I’ve heard it can get very cold at the Berg and I don’t survive well in the cold,” he chuckled nervously.

“Hopefully we get similar weather and a similar low to medium water level to what we had last year but even if we do and although I’ve done a Berg now, I’m sure it will still be very tough again this year!”

The Berg River Canoe Marathon starts in Paarl on 16 July and ends at Velddrif on 19 July.

(File photo:Gallo Images)