Camps Bay High School is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Grade 12 learner Ryley Smith, who recently competed in the iconic Dusi Canoe Marathon. The Dusi Canoe Marathon, held annually between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest canoe marathons. Spanning approximately 120 kilometres over three days, the race tests athletes with gruelling portages, demanding river conditions, technical rapids and strategic decision-making. The event alternates annually between K1 (Singles) and K2 (Doubles) formats.

This marked Ryley’s second year competing in the prestigious event. In 2025, he raced in the K1 (Singles) category. This year, with the event switching to K2 (Doubles), he partnered with fellow 17-year-old Keegan Vogt of Maritzburg College.

The young duo delivered an exceptional performance, finishing second in the U18 Division and an extraordinary 10th overall out of 223 finishers. They crossed the line in a remarkable combined time of 7:50:32 — a result that places them among the elite paddlers in one of the sport’s most demanding endurance events.

Reflecting on the achievement, Ryley said: “We’re incredibly happy with our result. A Top 10 overall finish was our goal going into the race, so to achieve that feels amazing. We had a lot of fun shooting the big rapids, and Day 3 was especially great. We decided to take a gamble by shooting the Pumphouse Weir, and it paid off — we were the fifth fastest boat on the day.”

Head of Sport at Camps Bay High School, Ms Busi Ngcwama, praised Ryley’s determination and composure: “Ryley’s performance at the Dusi Canoe Marathon is nothing short of exceptional. To finish in the Top 10 overall in an event of this calibre speaks volumes about his discipline, resilience and competitive maturity. We are immensely proud of the way he represented Camps Bay High School and inspired our sporting community. He has set a remarkable standard for what dedication and courage can achieve.”