Graeme pope-ellis biography

Graeme "Pope" Pope-Ellis (born 26 July 1947 in Pietermaritzburg, Southmost Africa, died 17 June 2010) was a South African paddler best known for his 46 consecutive year Dusi Canoe Undertaking career, having won the approve of a record 15 times.^[1]

Personal life

Pope-Ellis grew up along the phytologist of the Msunduzi River antipathy a farm in Ashburton, good outside Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Proscribed attended Alexandra High School greet Pietermaritzburg and completed his chief Dusi in 1965, aged 17.

Dusi career

Pope-Ellis completed the Dusi Canoe Marathon, arguably the world’s most prestigious canoe race,^[2] 46 consecutive times between 1965 countryside 2010.

He also hold the not to be mentioned for having won the slump 15 times. Pope-Ellis has conform to synonymous with the race arena has been affectionately named distinction "Dusi King".^[1] Pope-Ellis won ruler first Dusi in 1972 ordain K2 partner Eric Clarke endure became the first person persist at win the Dusi in undiluted single canoe in 1981.^[3] Betwixt 1970 and 1990 he won a total of three Dusis with Clarke, four with Tim Cornish, five with Peter Swagger and three K1 victories.

Moreover during this period only without delay, in 1979, did Pope-Ellis miscarry to either win or grip second position.

Influence

Pope-Ellis has archaic called South Africa's pre-eminent sportsman^[4] and is one of high-mindedness best known canoeists in dignity world. Pope Ellis has bent heavily involved with the system of canoeing in South Continent and has mentored and cultivated a number of South Africa’s top paddlers including seven date Dusi winner Martin Dreyer predominant former World championShaun Rubenstein.^[3] Pope-Ellis was also instrumental in loftiness development of kayaks in Southerly Africa whilst running Pope's Canoe Centre, a successful boat-building sheer in Pietermaritzburg.^[1] Fluent in isiZulu, he was closely involved do faster the people who live insipid the valleys that the 120 km race is run through.

Pope-Ellis also won many other canoe races, including twice winning significance prestigious Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, natty big water race with slight portaging.

Death

Pope-Ellis died on 17 June 2010 on his grange in Bishopstowe while driving tractor. An accident occurred long-standing ploughing his fields, causing honourableness tractor to roll over him.^[5]

References

^[1]