KZN#27

2017 Berg River
Canoe
Marathon -
Diary Note
The Berg River Canoe Marathon from 12 to 15 July takes the paddlers
from Paarl, through the Winelands into the Swartland and down to the
Cape West Coast. John Hishin/ Gameplan Media
Entries have
opened for the
56th edition of
the Berg River
Canoe Marathon,
which takes place from
Wednesday 12 July to Saturday
15 July 2017, preceded
by the seeding time trial in
Paarl on Tuesday 11 July.
The race, widely recognised
as one of the toughest
ultra-distance marathon
canoeing events in the
world, covers 240km over
four stages from Paarl, heading
north-west to Velddrif,
taking the athletes and their
support crews through the
Winelands, the Swartland
and then down to the Cape
West Coast.
Last year the race
attracted another strong
field of international competitors,
with Hungarian
K2 world champ Adrian
Boros finishing third,
Czech Republic paddler
Petr Mojžíšek sixth, Aussie
Brendon Rice seventh
and his compatriot Josh Kippin
eighth. Boros has already
entered for this year, and
several more internationals
are expected to follow suit.
Entries for the 2017 Berg
River Canoe Marathon can
be made online at http://
berg.org.za/?page_id=662
The Berg River Canoe
marathon starts in Paarl on
12 July and ends at Velddrif
on 15 July. More information
can be found at www.berg.
org.za
Health Sports
All systems GO for
ICF Canoe Marathon
World Championships
It's all systems go for the 2017 ICF Canoe
Marathon World Championships at
Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg in September,
says chairman of the organising
committee Steve Botha. Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media
Pietermaritzburg
– It’s all
systems
go for the
ICF Canoe Marathon
World Championships
at Camps Drift from
8 to 10 September
2017 as race chairman
Steve Botha moves in
with his committee
to ensure the global
showcase is hosted
successfully and with
the intended warm
hospitality.
Botha takes over
from Brett Austen
Smith who was
responsible for securing
the second edition
of the marathon
world title decider in
South Africa, and plans
to make sure the event
runs smoothly and creates
unforgettable memories for
the athletes, their families
and spectators attending the
three-day spectacle.
“Primarily we want to
make sure the whole event
has a uniquely South African
feel,” said Botha. “We
have such a vibrant culture
in this country and we want
to show that culture to everyone
at the event.
He said plans for the athletes
village and boat storage
facilities that will supplement
the facilities at Camps
Drift were in an advanced
stage.
“Now that our domestic
river marathon season is
winding down, we can focus
all our energy on the World
Champs in September,”
said Botha. “We have a great
committee that is working
flat-out, busy doing what
they need to do.
“We are on schedule now,
after a little catching up and
the venue is looking fantastic.
There is new grass laid
for the portage and it all
looks of a very high standard,”
said Botha.
“September is an awesome
time of the year in Pietermaritzburg.
It is Spring
but before the heavy rains,
and Camps Drift will be fantastic
at that time.
The week long competition
will start with the traditional
Masters Cup races
for Veteran and Master age
group paddlers and paraathletes,
before the spotlight
shifts to the junior, Under 23
and senior men and women.
“We are really looking forward
to welcoming everyone
to the World Marathon
Champs in September,” he
concluded.
The ICF Canoe Marathon
World Championships will
be held at Camps Drift in
Pietermaritzburg from 8 to
10 September 2017, preceded
by the Masters Cup competition.
More information can
be found at www.wmc2017.
co.za.
Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 27
41