Windhoek Berg River Canoe marathon

Countdown!
There are only 48 days to go until the 2011 Windhoek Berg River Canoe marathon

This is the year that we are privileged to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Berg River Canoe Marathon. For this honour, we owe tribute to the founders, Willem van Riet and his dad,”Oom” Willem.

...When I asked Willem how this crazy idea came about, he responded: “Ek wou ontsnap van die stad en my omgewing en toe ek daardie eerste keer op die Bergrivier roei het ek ontdek presies wat ek gehoop het om te ervaar. Die hoë walle dig begroei met bome, het my laat voel asof ek in die wildernis is. Dit was die begin van alles!”

Relaxing on the patio one day after tripping the river down to Velddrif in 1960, Willem was discussing this new love of his with his dad. One of them then made the crazy suggestion of organising a canoe race from Paarl to Velddrif. As they became more excited about the idea, the wheels were put into motion to have the first race in 1962. They had no idea that the race would grow into one of the epic events on the local sport calendar.

Since then, we have witnessed a few significant changes to the river. New bridges and weirs have appeared but the biggest change is the Misverstand dam that was built to supply the West Coast with fresh water. The “old timers” will remember this shallow section, which is now covered by the dam. In more recent years, we were thrilled when the Berg River dam was built, as the new dam now facilitates a more consistent flow throughout the winter.

The impact of these changes is such that the nature of the river has also changed, creating new obstacles and fresh challenges that only the Berg can offer.
Now, in 2011, the race itself remains as tough as ever. But there are minor changes! To add to the challenge, this year we will finish 3.5km downstream from the Velddrif bridge. Port Owen is a much better venue and will enable us to welcome all of you in special fiftieth fashion, thanks to Windhoek Breweries.

Added to this, Windhoek Breweries have boosted the prize money for the team event. Since this was announced, the top guys have been organising themselves into teams causing the buzz that is out there as a result. This new initiative might just be the most exciting development in the history of the race which will differentiate it from all other canoeing events around the world.

On the starting line this year, one can only try to imagine what emotions, and memories will be experienced by Willem van Riet, Jannie Malherbe and Fritz Rauch, who finished their first Berg’ in 1962 fifty years ago. It will be absolutely amazing to see these guys finish in Port Owen where they will get the salute that they deserve.

Kom geniet die Kaapse gasvryheid. Bly oor by die oornagplekke en kom luister na al die stories en staaltjies om die kampvure van die baie ou “Bergies” wat vanjaar terug sal wees om die 50ste te vier.

Ervaar die kameraderie en maak dit een om te onthou!

Andrè Collins