Berg still intrigues paddlers
2005-07-14
THE annual Berg River Canoe Marathon is considered to be the toughest canoe race in the country and maybe even in the world.
‘‘I don’t think there is a more gruelling race in the country, probably even in the world, than the Berg,’’ says Durban canoeist, Hank McGregor, the favourite to win this year’s race.
‘‘You spend such a long time on the water. It’s like the Tour de France for paddling.’’
The low water level, winter cold and many tree blockages test both man and canoe over this four day struggle en route to Velddrif.
Low water levels have dissuaded some contenders from taking part in the Berg over the past years, causing race entries to dwindle from the numbers of days gone by.
Yet it is these challenges and the desire to tame this river with it’s many difficult obstacles which attract many first-time paddlers to this event.
Yesterday saw 210 entrants line up in warm, dry conditions at the starting line, with 47 of them newcomers to the race.
The organisers can thus rest assured that the allure and mystique of the Berg is still alive and well and will attract newcomers to the sport for many years to come.
The winner of the first leg yesterday was Hank McGregor, with Russell Willis second.
They were followed by local paddlers Gert van Deventer and Paul Marais.
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