Canoe paddlers back to traditional route
2006-06-15
THE Isuzu Berg River Canoe Marathon, widely regarded as one of the toughest long distance canoeing races in the world, has returned to its original format, making the second stage substantially longer than it has been in recent years.
The decision to revert to the traditional format which sees the athletes paddle all the way from Paarl to the finish at Velddrif on the West Coast was taken after a lengthy debate by the senior administrators at the Western Cape Canoe Union.
They opted to reinstate the section at the end of the second day that bypassed a long stretch of flatwater at the headwaters of Misverstand Dam by stopping at Bridgetown.
This year the second stage will be 18km longer and will complete the paddle across Misverstand Dam.
The change back to the traditional route stemmed from a survey of the paddlers that took part in last year’s Berg, where they voted overwhelmingly in favour of a return to the longer format.
“There was no change at all to the numbers taking part when we shortened the section around Misverstand Dam, and we are getting a clear message from our paddlers that they want this race to be a tough challenge,” said Western Cape Canoe Union chair André Collins.
The move has evoked mixed reactions from the top paddlers.
“Day two will be a long hard slog now,” said the defending men's champion, Hank McGregor. “If anyone is alone at the front of the race, and the chasers work together in a group, it will become key to the overall race,” he added.
“I think it is brilliant,” said Graeme Solomon, who has been a pivotal part of the Berg for the past decade.
“I feel that the race has been a little watered down, and the move to return this race to a paddle from Paarl to the sea is a really great idea.”
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