The freezing Western Cape temperatures could not stop paddlers from taking part in the annual Berg River Canoe Marathon, which spanned 240km from Paarl to the small fishing town of Velddrif on the West Coast.
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Siseko Ntondini, Phineas Zulu, and Wongama Makasi were the first Gauteng based paddlers to finish. Though they are from Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club, they train at Emmarentia-based Dabulamanzi Canoe Club (Dabs). Ntondini finished sixth overall, third in the senior age category. His total time over the three days was 14:40:00. Zulu’s total time was 15:24:00, and he placed 10th, the first sub veteran category finisher. Makasi, placed fourth in the U23 category in a total time of 17:54:00.
The first documented descent of the Berg River took place in 1952. When three Paarl adventurers, Bennie le Roux, Apie le Roux, and Sam du Toit set off in an outboard-motor-driven boat. It took them four full days to reach Velddrif.
The marathon was founded in 1962 by a group of 35 pioneers who set off on a flooded Berg River from Paarl for the first edition of this race. The four-stage odyssey caught the attention of the South African public, as only 19 paddlers made it to the finish.
Also read: Dabulamanzi Canoe Clubs paddler of the year
Other Dabs paddlers who completed the race this year included: Ethan Cockram, who finished second U23 in 16:14:00, and his father, Matthew, who finished a couple of hours later, as second in the sub grand master age category with an overall time of 18:35:00.
Graham Monteith finished as the 24th boat, first in the great grand master age category, with an overall time of 16:18:00. Colin Wilson finished second in the grand master age category, in 16:24:00.
More paddlers:
• Chad Andrews – eighth in the veteran age group and 50th overall in a time of 19:24:00
• Craig Stockill – seventh in the master category and 54th overall with a time of 19:53:00
• Daniel Mclachlan – ninth in the veteran age category and 60th overall with a time of 20:52:00
• Karen Field – the seventh female, fifth in the sub master category, and 65th overall with a time of 21:56:00
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