Western Cape Canoe Union

Send it HUGE
will be on Berg River Canoe Marathon!

CONTENDER: Thomas Lovemore

2024 Berg River Marathon Champion Tom Lovemore has unfinished business with the four-day classic next week.

12 months ago the Knysna resident was ready to defend his title in the 2025 race and prepared for a massive battle against Berg legends, Hank McGregor (Team Euro Steel) and Robbie Herreveld. Illness ended that and Lovemore withdrew after the second day, leaving McGregor to cruise to his 14th title with Herreveld second.

In 2024, with McGregor not paddling, Lovemore and Herreveld fought a tight contest for three days with no more than two seconds separating them at the end of each stage. Lovemore then managed to eke out a two-minute advantage over Herreveld on the final paddle into Velddrif for victory.

The key question that has to be answered after McGregor's entry dropped on Wednesday is: "Can the 14-time champion be beaten at the Berg?"

Lovemore, with two thirds and a win in his four finishes, is surely best placed to end the reign of the Berg King – and probably the only person in the field that can answer that question with: "Yes, because I have recently beaten him at the Berg – twice!"

In 2023, Lovemore narrowly edged McGregor on stages one and three, but lost time on Days 2 and 4 to end third overall behind the then 46-year-old and young Jeremy Maher. Those two stage wins may not be an overall victory over McGregor, but he will know that McGregor is beatable.

There are definitely other contenders – most notably young Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert and Jeremy Maher – but there is every chance the winner of McGregor vs Lovemore could be the champion on July 18th.

Salt Kayaks

📣 🙌🏽Congratulations to ALL athletes selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, due to take place in Gualeguaychú, Argentina from 22-25 October 2026 🇦🇷 and especially our WCCU rock stars ⭐️
GO Team RSA
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Team South Africa
Paddlesport South Africa
SA Sports Press

CONTENDER: Joshua Glyn‑Cuthbert

At just 22 years old, Stellenbosch University’s fourth‑year electrical engineering student Joshua Glyn‑Cuthbert has emerged as a serious contender for this year’s Berg River Marathon title.

Joshua swept to victory in all four pre‑Berg river races in June, setting his sights firmly on the top step of the podium for the four-day classic this month. A victory would end a 16‑year drought for Matie paddlers since Robyn Kyme won in 2010.

His journey, however, has been anything but smooth. “I sustained a shoulder injury at the Dusi in 2025 when I fell out in the Little John Rapid and dislocated it. A few months later I dislocated it again at the Breede River Marathon, which led to surgery in October last year,”

Joshua explains. “About eight weeks after the operation I began working with biokineticist Armand de Wet, whose training has not only guided my rehabilitation but also elevated my paddling performance.”

Joshua, who attended Maritzburg College in KZN and only took up paddling in 2020, had his first taste of the Berg last year. Illness on Day Three hampered his performance, but he fought back to finish 26th overall — a result that now looks like a stepping stone to far greater things.

The 64th Berg River Marathon begins on 15 July in Paarl and covers 240 km over four days, ending at Velddrif on the West Coast. Known as one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world, it will test every ounce of Joshua’s resilience.




Salt Kayaks
Euro Steel Sport
Carbonology Sport
Enduren Nutrition
Western Cape Canoe Union
Paddlesport South Africa

🌊 HUGE GRATITUDE to the Berg River Water User Association (BRWUA)!
BRWUA has appointed a contractor who is currently hard at work removing the massive tree block 1.5 km downstream of Zonquasdrift. This will make a significant difference to the start of day2 of the Berg River Canoe Marathon.

The Berg River Water User Association manages and protects the water resources of the Berg River catchment. Representing agricultural, industrial, and municipal users, the BRWUA promotes sustainable water use, environmental stewardship, and the collective management of rivers, dams, and canals from source to sea. Through collaboration with partners, the Association works to strengthen water security and move toward a healthier, more resilient river system.

👏 Thank you, BRWUA, for your commitment and investment in our river.


Berg River Canoe Marathon
Paddlesport South Africa

📣 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

We are excited to announce that the following Senior athletes have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, due to take place in Gualeguaychú, Argentina from 22-25 October 2026 🇦🇷

We wish everyone the best with their preparations.

Congratulations Team 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

Team South Africa
Planet Canoe


Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
Western Cape Canoe Union
Paddlesport Gauteng
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Central Districts Canoe Union

📣 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

We are excited to announce that the following U23 athletes have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, due to take place in Gualeguaychú, Argentina from 22-25 October 2026 🇦🇷

We wish everyone the best with their preparations.

Congratulations Team 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

Team South Africa
Planet Canoe


Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
Western Cape Canoe Union
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Paddlesport Gauteng
Central Districts Canoe Union

📣 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

We are excited to announce that the following Junior athletes have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, due to take place in Gualeguaychú, Argentina from 22-25 October 2026 🇦🇷

We wish everyone the best with their preparations.

Congratulations Team 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

Team South Africa
Planet Canoe


Western Cape Canoe Union
Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Paddlesport Gauteng
Central Districts Canoe Union

The Riveria Hotel at the finish in Velddrif has the following accommodation available:

Goeie more die oop kamers en chalets vir die die naweek van 17de en 18de as volg:

17de & 18de
Room1 {dubbelbed}
Room 4,5,6,7 {twin rooms}
Chalet 8 {two bedroom chalet}

Vir die 18de
Room 2 {double bed}
Room 3 {twin room}
Room 8 {twin room}
Room 9 {double bed}
Room 11 {double bed / honeymoon suite}
Chalet 2 {one bedroom chalet}
Chalet 3 {two bedroom chalet}
Berg River Canoe Marathon

Your FINAL day 3 2026 SA Marathon Champs results!
Hard, fast and tough racing, the nature of the game.
Well done to all athletes who stepped up and onto the start line.
To everyone travelling home now, please be safe.
Peninsula Canoe Club you knocked the lights out!
Thanks to our Western Cape Canoe Union time keepers and officials for getting the job done in some wild Cape conditions.

Paddlesport South Africa
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Paddlesport Gauteng
Central Districts Canoe Union
Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
SA Sports Press