Champion paddler Kira Bester delivered a masterclass in grit and determination over the Freedom Day long weekend, completing a remarkable double by winning both the national ocean racing trials and the prestigious Prescient Freedom Paddle around Robben Island, all while racing under the weather.
The reigning 2024 and 2025 world ocean racing champion opened her weekend with a commanding performance in Saturday 25 April’s trials on False Bay, crossing the line in 1:34:32, a full minute ahead of her soon-to-be race partner, Melanie van Niekerk. It was a performance that signalled the Strand resident’s intent as she chases a third consecutive world title.
Monday 27 April’s Freedom Paddle, however, proved a far more gruelling affair. Bester and Van Niekerk arrived at Robben Island first and appeared to have the race under control, only to find themselves under fierce pressure from an exciting young international pairing – under-23 world champion Rosie Edwards of the UK and KwaZulu-Natal’s Saskia Hockly, the mixed doubles world champion.
“We got to the island first and we thought we had dropped them, but at about the 18th kilometre they suddenly popped up on our inside,” said an exhausted Bester after the race. “With their shorter line around the island we just put the hammer down and it was a hard grind.”
The defending champions dug deep and held on, crossing the finish line at the Oceana Power Boat Club in a winning time of 2:20:20, just 79 seconds ahead of Edwards and Hockly, with Holly Smith and Jade Wilson rounding out the podium in third.
For Bester the victory was made all the more impressive by the fact that she was battling illness throughout the race. “I’m a bit sick at the moment so I’m feeling a bit broken now,” she confessed ruefully.
With two dominant performances, Bester cements her status as the world’s premier women’s ocean paddler.
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