Mbanjwa begins summer programme with Fish
SA paddling veteran Thulani Mbanjwa has added his name to the growing entry for the Fish River Canoe Marathon, and while he comes into the race with limited expectations, it forms an important cog in his summer paddling plans.
The Eastern Cape classic from October 8-9 has often fallen outside Mbanjwa’s priority competing block, but it plays a role in his preparation for the KwaZulu-Natal marathon season.
His limited preparation for this year’s Fish has also come as a result of other exciting developments.
“I started the Thulani Mbanjwa Sports Academy in the Valley of a Thousand Hills earlier in the year and that has been a big focus for me,” the icon of paddling said.
“We have taken on 28 children as part of the academy and it’s been an incredible journey seeing how sport, and canoeing, can change lives.
“Many of them are there to get away from drugs and crime, and to see how happy they are when they come to training after school is incredible.”
The academy has reduced the time available to Mbanjwa to train, but there is far more motivation for him as he reflects on his journey.
“I was like these kids and I was fortunate enough to have Robert Lembethe to help me begin my career in canoeing.
“I would never have dreamed that I would have been able to make a career out of canoeing if it wasn’t for the Lembethe academy,” a grateful Mbanjwa said.
Mbanjwa’s annual focus is the MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon and that will again be his aim next year, so heading into the Fish next month he has kept his expectations modest.
“I always say if you haven’t been training for Fish then you will battle to finish in the top ten,” he said.
“I am aiming for a top 20 this year but I think that if I can stay in my boat for both days then I can get a top 10.
“Earlier this year I raced the Berg on no training, so I have a bit of a base, but the pace is completely different and you need to avoid mistakes because that can cost you a lot at the Fish.”
With big rapids and ice-cold water, the Fish provides a number of challenges for paddlers and Mbanjwa has never quite come to terms with those despite 15 finishers’ medals.
“You are never comfortable at the Fish! When you hit Double Trouble and feel that cold water, it gets you.
“Then Keith’s is always such a hard rapid to get right in the race and you can ask anyone, it’s not easy at all.
“I am never fully confident going into the Fish, but it is definitely a race that I really enjoy and I’m looking forward to racing there again.
“There are going to be some of the top guys missing because they will be overseas but it’s always a really tough race with a strong field.