The 61st edition of the Berg River Canoe Marathon will start at the Val de Vie Wellness Estate on Wednesday 6 July, adding 7 km to the race distance through the inclusion of the popular fast-flowing stretch of the Berg River.
In announcing the change of the race start venue from the Market Street Bridge in Paarl the event organisers said that the move was part of an ongoing evolution of the race seeking to add value and offer better facilities to the paddlers and their support crews.
The new start will make the race 2,9% longer and adds distance to the first stage that had been shortened by 8 km by the move of the overnight stop from Zonquasdrift to Delsma in 2021.
Val de Vie established itself in canoeing circles by hosting the start of a canoeing event in 2019, introducing a section of the Berg River from Val de Vie’s Berg River bridge to Market Street bridge in downtown Paarl that had previously never been included in any major canoeing races.
“Paddlers enjoyed the section from Val de Vie into Paarl, which prompted us to reach out to Val de Vie to host the start of the iconic Berg marathon in 2022,” said race director Brandon Macleod.
“Ryk Neethling and Val de Vie have been very enthusiastic and supportive and it promises to help us take the start of the Berg to a whole new level,” he added.
“The Val de Vie start offers us a spectacular location with better facilities and security for paddlers and their families,” said Macleod.
“It also helps restore the first stage to its traditional 60 km distance as well,” he added.
Macleod said that the race would make sure that spectators who traditionally enjoy being part of the start of the Berg by watching at the Market Street Bridge will not be let down.
“We want to look after the race’s traditions while constantly looking at ways to make it a better experience, safer and more contemporary,” he said.
More information can be found at www.berg.org.za
