Pietermaritzburg - Just two weeks after another successful Dusi Canoe Marathon, the hardcore paddlers will set off again from Camps Drift for the 2019 Non-Stop Dusi with the peace of mind that they will have a water release from both Henley Dam and Inanda Dam on Friday, March 1.

The 'Dusi in a Day' takes on a different shape to the traditional three-day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in that the athletes are allowed to portage large sections of the course as opposed to its more popular parent event where portages are strictly defined.

The race provides a hardcore portion of the paddling community with their fix of endurance racing and conditions rarely dictate whether they are going to come and take on the challenge.

There might have been a portion of paddlers who were slightly concerned about water levels but race organiser Brad Glasspoole has made sure that the athletes will have good levels for their slog in Durban.

"While the serious Non-Stop Dusi paddlers know that they have to deal with the conditions that they find on the day, it is a serious bonus to be able to secure water releases from Henley and Inanda," Glasspoole said.

"We work very closely with Umgeni Water to manage these releases to ensure there is no loss of water and that we coincide with ecological releases.

"It can become a very long day for some of the paddlers and the water level will make a massive difference to their race.

"With the confirmation of a water release I am sure that we will see some more entries coming into the race office."

Among the group of Non-Stop Dusi stalwarts is Sbonelo Khwela. The 2019 Dusi runner-up has won the event a record eight times and won the 2018 edition with Thulani Mbanjwa in a K2.

The hardy bunch that will be taking on the Non-Stop Dusi in 2019 will set off from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg at 5am on Friday, March 1.