Berg River Canoe Marathon, live.

Four days from Paarl to Velddrif

The Berg River Canoe Marathon is a four day paddling race down the Berg River in the Western Cape, from Paarl to the river mouth town of Velddrif.

The 2027 race runs from 14 to 17 July and marks the race's 65th anniversary. It was founded in 1962 by 35 pioneers.

Day one goes from Paarl to Zonquasdrift, 62.1 kilometres. Day two continues to Bridgetown, 45.7 kilometres, and day three is the longest at 74.8 kilometres to Zoutkloof. The final day covers 56.5 kilometres to Velddrif, finishing at the Carinus Bridge beside the Riviera Hotel. Together that is 239.1 kilometres.

Four long days on the river ask for experienced paddlers with solid fitness and good boat handling. The longest day, 74.8 kilometres, comes third, so it pays to keep something in reserve after the opening two days.

For spectators, each day's finish is a gathering point, and the last day at Velddrif is where families wait to welcome paddlers home. Check the organiser's daily information for start times before travelling.

On Livebib you can follow a participant live when that person chooses to share their own position from the phone they carry during the race. The dot on the map comes from the participant's phone, not from the organiser's timing, and the official results are published by the organiser.