Hank wins 7th Umko title
McGregor partnered with seasoned paddler but Umko first-timer, Jasper Mocke, and finished the two-day race in a total time of four hours and 13 minutes.
DEFENDING champion, Hank McGregor, reinforced his status as South Africa’s greatest big water paddler after winning his seventh STIHL Umkomaas Canoe Marathon title recently. McGregor partnered with seasoned paddler but Umko first-timer, Jasper Mocke, to take on the 50th edition of what’s considered the world’s roughest and wildest K1/K2 river canoe marathon.
The duo finished the two-day race in a total time of four hours and 13 minutes. Dave Hamilton-Brown and Wayne Jacobs finished second with Murray Starr and Owen Gandar in third.
“The Umko is the only race in the world where paddlers don’t sprint off the start line because they’re actually scared of what’s up ahead. Everyone is nervous on the course. I’m stoked to win my seventh title with Jasper Mocke, who was paddling his first. It was an awesome fun day out,” said McGregor.
The Umkomaas Canoe Marathon is notorious for its unpredictability and boat-breaking rapids. Paddlers never know what they’re in for as there are no dams to govern the water releases. Through the Umkomaas Valley, near Richmond, KZN, the river flows fast and strong, providing superb excitement for white water rafters and massive challenges for fragile fibreglass K1 and K2 racing boats.
This year, little rainfall in the days leading up to the race meant paddlers were faced with a low 1.3-metre water level, requiring immense technical skill and concentration to navigate successfully through the ragged, rocky river.
The race started on a more manageable section of the Umkomaas River with paddlers racing 35 kilometres from Josephine’s Bridge to Riverside. McGregor and Mocke were the first boat through number one rapid.
The experienced duo expertly navigated the low level river, finishing day two just one minute behind Hamilton-Brown and Jacobs, but a three-minute lead on day one saw them claim the overall title.
