Short Story
The Hilton College Kayak Club is committed to giving back to the sport by raising R65,000 to fund five junior boats and paddles for the Change A Life Academy and to support their participation in the Fish River Canoe Marathon which hosts the South African K2 River Championships.
After an incredible achievement at the Dusi Canoe Marathon, where all our teams successfully completed the demanding three-day race on a full Dusi River. The whole Hilton College Kayak Club feels a strong calling to give back to the Dusi Valley Community. Our mission is to empower the next generation of paddlers by providing essential equipment and creating opportunities for young athletes.
The Dusi Teams and results are:
Rex and Mark Holdsworth (Father and Son) (K2-14)
Matt and Adam Fitzsimons (Father and Son) (K2-22)
Knox and Scott Rutherfoord (Father and Son) (K2-28)
William and Grahame Thompson (Father and Son) (K2-72)
Jack Heenan and Michael Stewart (K2-29)
Jamie Byres and Sibusiso Chwayi (K2-49)
Matthew Wilson (K1-44)
Jordan Byres (K1-64)
The campaign will run until August 31, 2025.
We believe that early athlete development is essential to growing the sport, especially in underprivileged areas where access to equipment remains one of the biggest barriers. By funding these junior boats, we aim to provide young paddlers with the resources they need to excel.
Additionally, we want to help the Change A Life Academy cover the costs of competing in the Fish River Canoe Marathon that hosts the South African K2 River Championships. This is one of the most exciting races of the year, where their hard working athletes deserve the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Join us in making a difference—paddle for lives, paddle for change.
Paddle For Lives- The Hilton College Kayak Team Gives Back
Supported so far by 21 people.
Story
Martin Dreyer Change A Life Academy
In October 2008, seven times Dusi champion and South Africa’s multi-sport king, Martin Dreyer, launched the Martin Dreyer Change A Life Academy to prepare at least ten underprivileged youngsters from the Valley of a Thousand Hills, to become leaders in the Dusi Canoe Challenge. After four short months of training his goal was exceeded with 11 of his protégés romping home in the top 50, two of them in the top ten. The cross-country running league was launched in 2010 to extend the academy’s reach into a broader community and encourage hundreds of local school children to aspire to greater heights.
In addition to weekly food parcels which provide much needed support for their families, top performers have earned enough from their sporting achievements to build proper homes in the valley and many participants have secured employment (many as coaches) as a direct result of skills gained at the academy.
