While the general population in the Western Cape may not be so excited to see the soaking-wet weather arrive in the province this week the farmers are joined by the canoeing community in sending small prayers of thanks for the steady rain.
For the organisers of the annual Berg River Canoe Marathon the rain could not have come at a better time. With just less than a month to go until the annual four-day event from Paarl to Velddrif on Wednesday 3 and Saturday 6 July, the rivers were looking low.
Already the rains this week have meant dam levels have risen and the increased river flow bodes well for the racing season in the build up to the province’s premier river marathon event.
A spokesperson for the race was clearly relieved this week and upbeat about the prospects for the Berg River Marathon.
“We were a bit worried that there may be drought conditions and the river level in the Berg would remain low throughout the winter,” he said. “But the rains this week are soaking and should have been good for the water table.
“That means that rains we get in the next few weeks will help raise the river level and keep the rivers flowing, which obviously makes for much better conditions for the paddlers.”
