Paddler in croc scare
Hansa Powerade Dusi 2009 - media release
 
Date                 : Tuesday, 30 December 2008
 
Subject            : Top paddler in croc scare
 
Website            : www.dusi.co.za
 
Experienced Dusi veteran, Keith Ellerker got the “shock of his life” on Saturday when the canoe he was paddling was attacked by a crocodile whilst training for the up-and-coming Hansa Powerade Dusi 2009.
 
Ellerker 49), who was paddling below the Greytown road bridge in the upper reaches of the Umgeni River past some undergrowth that smelt of rotting meat. Shortly after he passed it, he felt as if there was another paddler "riding his wave". He turned to look back and saw a 2.5 m crocodile attack the back of his canoe.
 
Fortunately he was not injured and his boat did not capsize. He paddled his way to the other side of the river to see if he could see the reptile, but it had disappeared.
 
"I got the fright of my life as it was the last thing that I was expecting. My boat wasn't badly damaged either with justice a few scratches on it" he said.
 
Ellerker said that it would take a lot more than this to put him off training on this section of river.
 
Local crocodile farmer, Trevor Kelly, said that he would do whatever it took to make sure that this reptile is caught in a trap. He said that the trap would be laid by Tuesday evening and was confident that the crocodile would be caught within a week or two.
 
Paddlers have been warned organisers to be careful when practising on this particular part of the River. Whilst it is not on the Dusi route, it is a popular stretch of River to train on.
 
"This crocodile incident took place many kilometres upriver from the Dusi route and posed no threat to paddlers taking part in the Hansa Powerade Dusi 2009 which takes place on January 15, 16 and 17" said Ray De Vries spokesman for the organisers.
 
"I'm going through the area where Ellerker was attacked together with the chairman of the organisers, Cameron Mackenzie and we will keep paddlers updated on our website www.dusi.co.za. I would like to reiterate the that there is no problem for the upcoming Hansa Powerade Dusi.
 
Ends
 
Released by     : Ray de Vries Sports Solutions on behalf of Cameron Mackenzie, chairman of the organisers.              
 
For further information kindly contact Ray de Vries