Top Gauteng paddler Wayne Jacobs finished fifth overall in the gruelling Berg River Canoe Marathon recently.
Jacobs, who resides in Craighall Park, received a gold medal after completing the four-day race in 18:06:59 in a K1 (single kayak).
The event celebrated its 60th anniversary this year and takes place in the Western Cape over a distance of 240km, from Paarl to the small harbour in Velddrif on the West Coast. It is the longest canoe marathon in South Africa.
The first Berg River Race took place in 1962 and usually takes place in the wet winter month of July when the Berg River level is expected to be at its highest.
However, this year the event was moved to August due to lockdown restrictions, taking place from August 5 to 8.
Jennie Dallas of the Gauteng Canoe Union said while paddlers experienced good weather on the first three days, the fourth day brought about a number of challenges.
Jacobs said, “The fourth day saw the arrival of a cold front with icy winds, large waves, and an incoming tide making the going extremely difficult for the final 58km stage.
“Despite having suffered terribly from exhaustion and hyperthermia, and losing contact with the front three boats, over the last 10km of the stage I managed to hold on to fifth position overall.”
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