Sharlene McGillvray (left) and Shelley Bloy. Photo: Gameplan Media
Pietermaritzburg – Feisty 53-year-old Sharlene McGillvray celebrated a sporting milestone on the calm waters of Inanda dam on Sunday.
With her peroxide white hair, she punched the air in delight as she finally qualified to take part in The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon that starts on February 14.
McGillvray is a legend in the BMX fraternity where she is the world champion in her Challenger class, and her trademark neon dyed hair, which ranges from pinks to green and yellows, reflects her irrepressible bubbly personality.
So how did she get lured into the process of starting canoeing and trying to qualify for The Unlimited Dusi?
A DTP graphic design expert, McGillvray shares an office with Shelley Bloy, the daughter of Dusi legend Lyall Wheeler, who had done more than 40 Dusis.
Bloy had tentatively approached the BMX star to see if she would be keen to try a new sporting challenge and partner her on a Dusi.
“I told her there was no way that I was getting into a piece of resin and going down any river coz I have a fear of water,” recalls McGillvray.
“Then during the 2012 Dusi I got so wrapped up with her phoning to see where Lyle and his partner Billy were.
“She had printed out a map of the route and placed it on my desk – sneaky cow – so on the third day she asked me again.
“Before I knew it, I had said, ‘Bring it on!’”
