Berg River Canoe Marathon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Berg River Canoe Marathon
The Berg River Canoe Marathon logo
Date	July
Location	Paarl/Velddrif, South Africa
Event type	Canoe Marathon
Distance	240 kilometres (150 mi)
Established	1962

The Berg River Canoe Marathon is a super long canoe race in South Africa. It happens every year in the Western Cape province. Paddlers race about 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Paarl to Velddrif. Velddrif is a small harbor town on the West Coast.

This race is one of the most famous canoe marathons in South Africa. Other big ones include the Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Fish River Canoe Marathon.

About the Race

The first Berg River Marathon was held way back in 1962. It usually takes place over four days. This is often in July, which is a wet winter month. The river levels are expected to be very high then.

The Challenging Course

The water in the Berg River flows very fast. Paddlers often go through narrow parts of the river. These areas can be full of trees, low branches, and hidden obstacles underwater. The river flows north from Paarl towards Piketberg. From Piketberg, it winds west across the flat coastal land to Velddrif.

Getting Ready to Race

The day before the race starts, there are special time trials. These trials help decide the starting spots for the first 60 paddlers. More than 200 people usually take part in the race. This is the longest canoe marathon in South Africa.

Overnight Stops

The race goes through beautiful wineland areas. Paddlers stop overnight at a few places. These stops include Zonquasdrift, Bridgetown, and Zoutkloof. Bridgetown is located near the Misverstand Dam.

More Than Just Canoeing

The Berg River Canoe Marathon is also the last part of a bigger event. This event is called the Two Oceans Peninsula Iron Man. The first two parts are the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon. In 2010, the winner of the canoe race received R25,000.

Images for kids

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  The Berg River Canoe Marathon logo.