Two days. 81km. The Eastern Cape’s most iconic river marathon from Grassridge Dam to Cradock. Fast water, technical rapids, and the famous “Wall of Death” weir. K1, K2 and TK categories.
Entries via paddlesportsa.co.za. Limited to 250 boats. Prize money R140,000.
The 2026 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup touches down in French Polynesia. World’s best surfski paddlers take on the legendary Tahiti downwind runs — trade winds, open ocean swells, and the backdrop of Moorea.
South African contingent expected: Kira Bester (defending World Series leader), Hank McGregor, and emerging U23 talent. Live tracking via ICF app.
The iconic 240km, four-day river marathon from Paarl to Velddrif. South Africa’s premier canoe marathon attracts over 200 paddlers across K1, K2 and TK categories. Seeding time trials on 14 July set the front-60 start order.
Entries close 10 July. Visit bergrivermarathon.co.za for details, route maps and live tracking.
Canoe · Surfski · Ocean · Sprint · SUP — 9 July 2026
240 kilometres from Paarl to Velddrif. Four cold days. More than 200 paddlers. South Africa’s toughest river marathon starts Tuesday — and the whole paddling calendar leans into it.
Marathon · River / Western Cape
South Africa’s longest and most feared river marathon is almost here. The Berg River Canoe Marathon starts on Tuesday 15 July and runs four brutal winter days to Saturday 18 July, tracing the classic 240 km line from Paarl to the West Coast harbour of Velddrif.
Overnight stops fall at Zonquasdrift, Bridgetown and Zoutkloof, with a field of more than 200 paddlers expected. Seeding time trials on the eve of the race decide the order of the first 60 places before anyone reaches open river — fast, cold, tree-choked channels that reward nerve as much as fitness.
Last year’s 2025 edition went to Hank McGregor, then 47, who took a remarkable 14th Berg title in Velddrif with Siseko Ntondini on his wave; Jenna Nisbet controlled the women’s race throughout. McGregor has confirmed his entry for 2026 (see Berg build-up) — whether he defends, and who from the new generation steps up, is the story to watch as seeding firms up this week.
Sprint · Italy / Auronzo Regatta
South African paddlers brought home a five-medal haul from the sprint racing at the Auronzo International Regatta. A big Go Team 🇿🇦 to everyone who lined up.
Kaden & Kyle · 5000m K2
Alexa & Henry · Mixed K2
Henry · 200m K1
Matthew & Christian
Esti · 200m K1Tap any photo to open it full-size.
Ocean · World Series / International
The domestic calendar is in mid-winter build-up, so the racing action is on the international ocean circuit.
Kira Bester opened the 2026 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Series in commanding style, winning the season’s first stop — the Madeira Ocean Racing Challenge. Men’s honours went to Portugal’s Bernardo Pereira. A two-time ocean racing world champion, Bester starts the year exactly where she left off, and heads into the European stretch of the series as a live medal threat.
Downwind · Results / KZN
Conditions looked kind: a strong south-westerly on the Friday, then light offshore winds and a following swell on race day. SafeTrx was compulsory, there was no beaching at Toti, and a marker buoy sat at the shark nets. Medals for all finishers, prize money to the doubles, and prize-giving at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club.
| 1 | Oliver Burn / Luke Nisbet | 3:28:31 |
| 2 | Brent Chiazzari / Jeremy Maher | 3:30:51 |
| 3 | Gary Behn / Nic Burden | 3:47:01 |
| 4 | John Grobler / Khumbulani Nzimande | 3:48:57 |
| 5 | Bryce Lawson / Nathan Curry | 3:59:40 |
| 6 | Dave Harker / Dave Tattam | 4:07:04 |
| 7 | Bruce Glenday / Mark Backmen | 4:09:37 |
| 8 | Keelyn Tucker / Siphesihle Mngoma | 4:11:35 |
| 9 | Trevor Maher / Don Gobey | 4:20:08 |
| 10 | Jeremy Douglas / Greg Bath | 4:28:09 |
| 1 | Shaine McAllister | 4:10:58 |
| 2 | Quinton Rutherford | 4:11:49 |
| 3 | Bryce Hatton | 4:18:03 |
| 4 | David Maehler | 4:19:46 |
| 5 | Emilio Chiccaro | 4:20:02 |
| 6 | Marc Descoins | 4:27:35 |
| 7 | Guy Searle | 4:58:50 |
| 8 | Stan Whiting | 5:01:18 |
| 9 | Gavin Smith | 5:18:17 |
| 10 | Gavin Botha | 6:05:57 |
| S1 | Thubelihle Banda | 1:35:05 |
| S1 | Sboniso Dlamini | DNF |
| S2 | Gary Whiteford / Tracy Nuss | DNF |
Jnr Men SC K1: Keegan Vogt (16:01.30), from Jared Shrimpton (16:25.91) & Samuel Mocke (16:55.72).
Jnr Girls SC K1: Alayah Krogscheepers (18:09.39), from Hanna Solomon (18:41.68) & Sydney-Grace Williams (18:58.79).
Guppy K2 U12 (non-champs): Deacon Broughton-Clarke & Ayanda Nojiyeza (30:47.91).
Team news · Marathon Worlds / Argentina
Paddlesport South Africa has announced the squad for the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Gualeguaychú, Argentina.
Men — SC: Hamish Lovemore, Ulvard Hart · K1: Ulvard Hart, Hamish Lovemore · K2: Ulvard Hart & Clint Cook.
Women — SC: Bridgitte Hartley · K1: Jade Wilson, Bridgitte Hartley · K2: Jade Wilson & Georgia Singe.
Men K1: Cody Stallard · Women K1: Georgia Singe, Holly Smith.
Boys — SC: Jared Shrimpton, Ryley Smith · K1: Keegan Vogt, Jared Shrimpton · K2: Keegan Vogt & Ryley Smith, Jake Singe & Matthew Williams.
Girls — SC: Hanna Solomon, Sydney-Grace Williams · K1: Hanna Solomon, Isabella Strydom · K2: Sydney-Grace Williams & Bella Stallard.
Senior squad
U23 squad
Junior squadSurfski · Sprint / WC · EC
Few SA paddlers are in better form heading into the second half of 2026. A two-time ICF Canoe Ocean Racing world champion, Bester launched the new World Series season with victory at the Madeira opener — a statement against a deep international field.
Racing out of the Carbonology Sport and Orka Squad camps, her blend of flat-water sprint speed and ocean craft makes her one of the most complete women’s paddlers on the circuit. With Tahiti and the European season ahead, she reaches every start line a medal threat.
Berg River Marathon · News
Hank McGregor is in. Hank has entered the Berg River Canoe Marathon 2026, which finishes on Saturday 18 July in Velddrif.
River clearing underway. Thanks to the Berg River Water User Association (BRWUA), a contractor has removed the massive tree block about 1.5 km downstream of Zonquasdrift — a real difference to the start of the marathon.
Sports physio on the river. OMT-qualified physio Louise offers sports massage (R500, cash only) — Day 2 at Bridgetown, Day 3 at Zoutkloof — plus kinesio taping (R250). Free massage for the Day 2 and Day 3 winners. Pre-book: 083 227 3560 · louiseliebenberg01@gmail.com.
Peninsula Iron Man ’26. A floating trophy awaits anyone who completes the Two Oceans Ultra, the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Berg River Marathon. Qualify? Contact schalk.smit@mweb.co.za · 082 325 1539.
Hank — in for Berg
Tree block cleared
Physio · Days 2–3
Winners’ massage
Peninsula Iron ManDiary · Entries open
Hulle By Die See. R350/race (R200 U18). Sat sea ~20 km @ 12:00; Sun river 10 & 20 km @ 07:00. Life jackets compulsory. Brian 083 462 6426 · Clifton 082 457 1135.
SA Champs S1 & S2. Singles 31 Oct, doubles 1 Nov. Prize money R140,000. Enter: paddlesportsa.co.za · info@petemarlin.co.za · 083 447 1500.
Come trip the Wellington-to-Hermon race with the crew — clips on Instagram and Facebook.
Stilbaai · 26–27 Sep
Pete Marlin · entries openClub news
Maties eye another big Berg turnout. The Stellenbosch-based Maties Canoe Club has traditionally fielded one of the largest single-club contingents at the Berg — last year at least 17 paddlers, spearheaded by their veteran “Turbo Toppies.” Development pathways stay in focus too: SCARC product Siseko Ntondini — a multiple Berg podium finisher alongside McGregor — remains one of SA’s standout development stories.
Surfski Club × Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club. A new corporate affiliation gives Surfski Club members a secure waterfront base in Gordon’s Bay Harbour: covered ski storage with individual lock-ups, freshwater wash-down, changing rooms and hot showers, restaurant and bar at member pricing, and a safe harbour launch. Weekly time trial every Wednesday at 17:00, launching from in front of GBYC.
Gear news
Local skis, world stage. South Africa remains a global hub for surfski manufacturing. Fenn Kayaks (East London, est. 1988) and Carbonology Sport continue to lead the export-grade market — Carbonology’s Oscar Chalupsky-linked “ChalupSki,” introduced in 2025, is still drawing downwind interest this winter. With the Berg approaching, the practical focus is marathon boat prep: hull checks, rudder lines and serious cold-water kit.
Support · Siyaphambili
Stand a chance to win a Carbonology ski of your choice while backing the Siyaphambili Surf Ski Club. Tickets R200 (1), R150 each (2), R120 each (3+). Winner drawn at the last race — you don’t have to be present. On sale until 24 July. Funds go to educational support, life-skills, equipment, transport and race entries.
EFT: Siyaphambili Surf Ski · Standard Bank · Acc 10 15 445 953 2 · Branch 2826 · Ref: paddler name.
The toughest race in the world.Hank McGregor — 14-time champion, on the Berg River Marathon
| Dates 2026 | Event | Discipline | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jul | Berg Seeding Time Trials | Marathon | Paarl, WC |
| 15–18 Jul | Berg River Canoe Marathon | Marathon | Western Cape |
| 31 Jul–2 Aug | Ocean Racing World Cup — Tahiti | Surfski | French Polynesia |
| 17–20 Sep | Sea Sardinia / Ohana Mana Cup | Surfski | Italy |
| 18–21 Sep | Ocean Racing World Cup — Fortaleza | Surfski | Brazil |
| 26–27 Sep | Stilbaai Classic Surfski | Surfski | Stilbaai, WC |
| 2–3 Oct | Fish River Canoe Marathon | Marathon | Eastern Cape |
| 31 Oct–1 Nov | Pete Marlin Surfski (SA Champs) | Surfski | East London, EC |
| TBC | Ocean Racing World Championships | Surfski | Villajoyosa, Spain |
Provincial series — KZN winter downwind, Cape downwind dashes and club time trials — run weekly through the season. Check your union channels for local dates.
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