Berg River Canoe Marathon

There are only 14 days to go until the 2012 Berg River Canoe marathon

The Berg River Canoe Marathom covers 220km from Paarl to Velddrift over four stages in July every year.

"The 2012 Berg river Marathon has achieved International Canoe Federation World Series status this year. The iconic marathon, billed as probably the toughest competitive challenge in world paddling, begins with a time trial on 10th July. 

After four murderous days on the river, the race ends this year at the traditional finish at Veldrif s bridge , dubbed the “Portals of Agony and Ecstacy” by exhausted and elated competitors.

The ICF Classic Canoe Marathon World Series includes other renowned races including the Devizes – Westminister in England and Amsterdam s Waterland Marathon.

Later in the year, as summer warms Europe, the Berg Marathon is followed by other great nominated races including the Crestuma in Portugal, the classic and chaotic Sella Descent in Spain, the tough Gudena in Norway, and Irelands wonderful weir strewn Liffey Descent.

Preparation for the Berg River Marathon will always serve to get any paddler in shape, and it remains to be seen whether one of our intrepid paddlers will one day take up the dreamlike challenge of somehow taking on each of the ICF's Classic Canoe Marathons."

- Berg river Marathon website