Hero Biker Receives Special Award for Rescuing Paddler During Drak Challenge

Underberg – While the Drak Challenge race winners basked in the limelight on Sunday afternoon, mountain biker Anthony Halliday emerged as the real hero of the weekend after literally stepping in to rescue a paddler in trouble on the uMzimkhulu River.

Anthony was riding in the Drak Descent with his partner Geoff Nightingale, enjoying the trails alongside the very full river on Saturday morning when they rode up to the Ugly Sister rapid and saw someone in distress.

Halliday, who is a seasoned paddler himself and a regular sweep at the MyLife Dusi, spotted 15-year-old Keegan Morris in the middle of the rapid. It was Keegan’s first Drak and he’d become separated from his partner (his father Richard), and was stranded without paddles.

Father and son had been taking part in the N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon (in partnership with FNB) when they ran into trouble in the big technical water and wrapped their K2. Richard was swept downstream after freeing the broken boat.

Geoff says: “We spotted the youngster on a rock in the middle of the river, and the reaction from Anthony was immediate. There was no hesitation. He dropped his bike and waded into the river in his cleats to get to the paddler. The paddler was battling and at times I saw his head go below the water.

“Anthony got to him and helped him get to the bank, checked that he was okay and then we went on with our ride.”

Anthony, who has three Drak finishes to his credit, shrugged off his act of bravery.

“It is standard procedure,” he said. “As someone who paddles I know that you don’t think twice to go and help a fellow paddler in need.”

The humble hero adds: “Besides, I was really tired and I needed a break, and I was intrigued to see how my cleats would handle the water.”

At the post-race prize giving, the hosts Canyon Kayak Club decided to present the Alick Rennie Fellowship Award, usually reserved for a fellow paddler who performs an act of bravery or selflessness, to Halliday.

Andy Birkett won his eighth title at the iconic Drak Challenge canoe marathon while Abby Adie Solms marked her return to the two-day classic by winning her ninth women’s title, in the process becoming the race’s most decorated champion, according to DrakChallenge.

More information can be found at www.drakadventure.co.za