Berg River Canoe Marathon
What would it take to convince you to give up your creature comforts and venture out into the wilderness for four days of fiercely competitive canoeing down a fast flowing, obstacle encumbered river? Now add the bleak mid winter into the equation! Yes, it certainly takes a special kind of person, and perhaps a little madness, to see the potential in such an activity. These are, however, the ingredients for the renowned Berg River Canoe Marathon, heralded by some as the toughest river race in the world.
This year the Berg River Canoe Marathon gets underway from Paarl on July 15th and finishes 239 kilometres down river in Velddrif on 18th July. The time trials are to be held on the 14th July 2009 to set the starting positions for this year’s race. Contestants will be lining up in freezing temperatures, on an unforgiving river, to test their physical and mental strength, stamina and endurance against each other and, perhaps more significantly, against nature.
The first Berg River Canoe Marathon was held in 1961 when a group of friends made the decision to introduce the sport of canoeing to the Western Cape, by organising a crazy race from Paarl to Velddrif. To make it more interesting they held it in winter, and it has since become a favourite of paddlers looking for the greatest of adventures against the worthiest of adversaries. Andre Collins, former Springbok paddler and one time chairman of the Bellville Club, which organised that historic first race, has completed the Marathon an amazing 38 times, earning him the title King of the Berg. Giel van Deventer is the only other competitor to have equalled Collins’ astounding figure.
Current defending champion, Hank McGregor, cinched his fifth victory last year in the 2008 Berg River Canoe Marathon. He managed to claw his way back to the fastest time in the time trials after a mishap saw his canoe filled with water, which he then had to empty before continuing. He was amazed to be at the front of the first row of canoes at the race starting line, having thought that he had really blown his chances. This year McGregor is again defending his title and, still shy of the race record, held by Graeme Solomon since 2001, he will be an exciting competitor to follow!
Preparation for this champion of river races requires a good deal of mental and physical training, and a number of lesser challenges have to be successfully met prior to taking part in this major event. The Berg River Canoe Marathon has an A class rating and is therefore only open to a certain standard of paddlers. To qualify for entry, eager potential participants must have attained an AR rating, indicating ability worthy of an A class river, by completing at least 6 C or B class river races within a certain percentage of the winner’s time. This is not a race for the under qualified or faint of heart.
The Berg River Canoe Marathon takes place over four days and four different stages. The first leg runs 62.1 Kilometres from Paarl’s Market Street Bridge to Zonquasdrift and is traditionally dominated by tree blocks and fast flowing water. Stage two sees the canoeists off from Zonquasdrift on a 45.7 kilometre stretch to Bridgetown. This leg of the race incorporates Black Rock Rapids, just after Gouda Bridge. Seasoned canoeists recommend portage over this nasty obstacle, in the interests of not damaging the canoes. The third stage runs from Misverstand Dam to Zoutkloof, 74.8 kilometres down river. This leg of the river is traditionally a long, slow grind and really tests the stamina and mental endurance of competitors. The final leg of this gruelling race heads off from Kersefontein Bridge, 56.5 kilometres to the finish line in Velddrif. As the river widens into the estuary, paddlers are challenged by slow waters interspersed with sand banks, choppy waves and, fairly often, a howling headwind. Not for the fainthearted, the four stages of the Berg River Canoe Marathon test the canoeists every resource to the maximum.
So if you think you have the mettle, can stand the freezing water, the hours of gruelling effort and the fierce competition, and stay the distance of the 239 kilometre Berg River Canoe Marathon, pull up a couch, grab a comforting cup of steaming hot chocolate, and, with your feet firmly ensconced in your slippers, cheer on those indomitable guys and girls out on the river, and make a mental note to put your name down for next year’s race.
This year the Berg River Canoe Marathon gets underway from Paarl on July 15th and finishes 239 kilometres down river in Velddrif on 18th July. The time trials are to be held on the 14th July 2009 to set the starting positions for this year’s race. Contestants will be lining up in freezing temperatures, on an unforgiving river, to test their physical and mental strength, stamina and endurance against each other and, perhaps more significantly, against nature.
The first Berg River Canoe Marathon was held in 1961 when a group of friends made the decision to introduce the sport of canoeing to the Western Cape, by organising a crazy race from Paarl to Velddrif. To make it more interesting they held it in winter, and it has since become a favourite of paddlers looking for the greatest of adventures against the worthiest of adversaries. Andre Collins, former Springbok paddler and one time chairman of the Bellville Club, which organised that historic first race, has completed the Marathon an amazing 38 times, earning him the title King of the Berg. Giel van Deventer is the only other competitor to have equalled Collins’ astounding figure.
Current defending champion, Hank McGregor, cinched his fifth victory last year in the 2008 Berg River Canoe Marathon. He managed to claw his way back to the fastest time in the time trials after a mishap saw his canoe filled with water, which he then had to empty before continuing. He was amazed to be at the front of the first row of canoes at the race starting line, having thought that he had really blown his chances. This year McGregor is again defending his title and, still shy of the race record, held by Graeme Solomon since 2001, he will be an exciting competitor to follow!
Preparation for this champion of river races requires a good deal of mental and physical training, and a number of lesser challenges have to be successfully met prior to taking part in this major event. The Berg River Canoe Marathon has an A class rating and is therefore only open to a certain standard of paddlers. To qualify for entry, eager potential participants must have attained an AR rating, indicating ability worthy of an A class river, by completing at least 6 C or B class river races within a certain percentage of the winner’s time. This is not a race for the under qualified or faint of heart.
The Berg River Canoe Marathon takes place over four days and four different stages. The first leg runs 62.1 Kilometres from Paarl’s Market Street Bridge to Zonquasdrift and is traditionally dominated by tree blocks and fast flowing water. Stage two sees the canoeists off from Zonquasdrift on a 45.7 kilometre stretch to Bridgetown. This leg of the race incorporates Black Rock Rapids, just after Gouda Bridge. Seasoned canoeists recommend portage over this nasty obstacle, in the interests of not damaging the canoes. The third stage runs from Misverstand Dam to Zoutkloof, 74.8 kilometres down river. This leg of the river is traditionally a long, slow grind and really tests the stamina and mental endurance of competitors. The final leg of this gruelling race heads off from Kersefontein Bridge, 56.5 kilometres to the finish line in Velddrif. As the river widens into the estuary, paddlers are challenged by slow waters interspersed with sand banks, choppy waves and, fairly often, a howling headwind. Not for the fainthearted, the four stages of the Berg River Canoe Marathon test the canoeists every resource to the maximum.
So if you think you have the mettle, can stand the freezing water, the hours of gruelling effort and the fierce competition, and stay the distance of the 239 kilometre Berg River Canoe Marathon, pull up a couch, grab a comforting cup of steaming hot chocolate, and, with your feet firmly ensconced in your slippers, cheer on those indomitable guys and girls out on the river, and make a mental note to put your name down for next year’s race.
