Events
Major SA Canoeing Events
Dusi Canoe Marathon
One of South Africa’s iconic and most famous sporting events, this three-day race takes place from Pietermaritzburg to Durban every year in February.
KZN
Umkomaas Marathon
This is a true test of river paddling with some exciting rapids littering a fun stretch of river. Paddlers need to be confident in their boat handling or at least paddle with somebody who knows what they are doing.
KZN
Drak Challenge
Probably the cleanest water you will ever race on. The two-day Drak Challenge is a great combination of scenic flatwater and smallish rapids – that can be tricky in low river conditions, or great fun the day after a Berg storm.
KZN
Berg River Marathon
A four-day test of fitness and wave riding. This event is not for paddlers who have skipped the longer training sessions and a bit of old-fashioned vasbyt is needed, particularly if the wind is blowing.
W Cape
Breede River Marathon
One of SA canoeing’s majors, this event is arguably the Western Cape’s best test of fitness and river paddling ability.
W Cape
Freedom Paddle
One of those surfski races that every ocean paddler in South Africa should do … if only for the history involved in the venue and a chance to see the iconic Robben Island from a unique perspective.
W Cape
Fish River Marathon
A superb two-day event with good water releases on a tight and twisty river through Karoo farmlands. The Fish is packed with rapids and weirs and is one of the most entertaining races on the calendar.
E Cape
Pete Marlin Surfski Race
Arguably the best organised event in South Africa, this festival of surfski paddling combines two days of ocean racing (a singles race and a doubles race) with some superb post-race festivities.
E Cape
Vaal
One of South Africa’s oldest “majors”, this two-day race is always a tactical battle with some fairly gentle rapids and plenty of flat water to test your wave-riding skills.
Gauteng
Orange Descent
This two-day stage race covering 50km of great river paddling, promises to be everything you’ve dreamt of and much more for paddlers and seconds alike.
