Marathon · River / Western Cape

The Berg Countdown: 240 km of Winter River Awaits

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.

Ocean · World Series / International

Bester Strikes First: Madeira Opener to South Africa

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.

Junior winners

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).

Surfski · Sprint / WC · EC

Kira Bester

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 Man

Diary · Entries open

• 15–18 JulBerg River Canoe MarathonPaarl → Velddrif · 240 km · 4 days · WC
• 14 JulBerg Seeding Time TrialsPre-race · sets the front-60 order · Paarl
• 31 Jul–2 AugICF Ocean Racing World Cup — TahitiSurfski · French Polynesia · SA paddlers expected

Stilbaai · 26–27 Sep

Pete Marlin · entries open

Club 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.