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Pietermaritzburg - Supporters and paddling enthusiasts from around the world will be able to share in the 2015 Dusi Canoe Marathon thanks to live streaming of video feeds of the famous three day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban from February 19-21.
After a successful pilot project last year of streaming the exciting elite race on the final stage into Blue Lagoon, the race organisers have expanded the plans for live video streaming to allow web users to watch video from key rapids on each of three stages, as well as a complete TV production from 10:00 to 14:00 on Saturday, February 21.
On the final stage on Saturday, February 21 web users will be able to log onto the Dusi website www.dusi.co.za from 06:00 and watch live video feeds from two rapids and the finish line, when the backmarkers start their paddle from Inanda dam to Blue Lagoon, using a variety of wireless and satellite uplinks to get the video signal out of the valley.
From 10:00 a fully-fledged TV show will be streamed, anchored by seasoned paddling presenters Doug Bird and Dave Macleod, that will track the progress of the race leaders as they leave in elapsed time in the reversed order start from Inanda dam.
This will include live footage from the rapids where live streaming has been set up, as well as live footage from the race helicopter following the leaders.
The winner is expected to reach the finish at Blue Lagoon, where a big crowd gathers to welcome home the new champion, at around 13:00.
The live streaming show will continue with finish line interviews and the arrival of the women’s champion, and will close at around 14:00.
“The Dusi has a growing global following, and we want to cater for that audience,” said Dusi General Manager Brett Austen Smith.
“Last year we ran a successful live streaming broadcast from the finish that, without any marketing or awareness, was watched by thousands of people, many of them overseas paddling enthusiasts.
“We are already aware of a number of clubs that are planning their Saturday training next weekend around being able to sit down and watch the final stage of the Dusi on the live streaming,” added Austen Smith.
Austen Smith said that the targeted global audience was part of a broader plan to market KwaZulu-Natal as a great sporting destination.
“The province of KwaZulu-Natal has recognized that the Dusi is an iconic South African sporting event, and one that has a following world-wide.
“The Dusi is a great showcase for the development of emerging athletes from the region, particularly from the remote rural areas that the Dusi touches.
“At a participation level we hope to inspire people from all walks of life to take up the challenge to ‘Do the Dusi’. But at the same time this event really shows off KwaZulu-Natal in all its glory as the race moves through the stunning Valley of a Thousand Hills down to our world renowned coastline. Hopefully then live streaming captures this and does it justice.”
The 64th edition of the Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 February 2015. More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za
