| Graeme Pope-Ellis | |
| Headercolor: | lightblue |
| Nickname: | Dusi King, Pope |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Birth Date: | 1948 |
| Birth Place: | Bishopstowe, South Africa |
| Death Place: | Bishopstowe, South Africa |
| Residence: | South Africa |
| Education: | Alexandra High School |
| Occupation: | Canoeist, Farmer, Entrepreneur |
| Years Active: | 1965 - 2010 |
Graeme "Pope" Pope-Ellis (born 26 July 1947 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, died 17 June 2010) was a South African canoeist best known for his 46 consecutive year Dusi Canoe Marathon career, having won the race a record 15 times.[1]
Pope-Ellis grew up along the banks of the Msunduzi River on a farm in Ashburton, just outside Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He attended Alexandra High School in Pietermaritzburg and completed his first Dusi in 1965, aged 17.
Pope-Ellis completed the Dusi Canoe Marathon, arguably the world’s most prestigious canoe race,[2] 46 consecutive times between 1965 and 2010. He also hold the record for having won the race 15 times. Pope-Ellis has become synonymous with the race and has been affectionately named the "Dusi King". Pope-Ellis won his first Dusi in 1972 with K2 partner Eric Clarke and became the first person to win the Dusi in a single canoe in 1981.[3] Between 1970 and 1990 he won a total of three Dusis with Clarke, four with Tim Cornish, five with Peter Peacock and three K1 victories. Furthermore during this period only once, in 1979, did Pope-Ellis fail to either win or take second position.
Pope-Ellis has been called South Africa's pre-eminent sportsman[4] and is one of the best known canoeists in the world. Pope Ellis has been heavily involved with the development of canoeing in South Africa and has mentored and coached a number of South Africa’s top paddlers including seven time Dusi winner Martin Dreyer and former World champion Shaun Rubenstein. Pope-Ellis was also instrumental in the development of kayaks in South Africa whilst running Pope's Canoe Centre, a successful boat-building business in Pietermaritzburg. Fluent in isiZulu, he was closely involved with the people who live in the valleys that the 120 km race is run through.
Pope-Ellis also won many other canoe races, including twice winning the prestigious Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, a big water race with minimal portaging.
Pope-Ellis died on 17 June 2010 on his farm in Bishopstowe while driving his tractor. An accident occurred while ploughing his fields, causing the tractor to roll over him.[5]