Link: http://www.windhoekberg.co.za

Velddrif - Hank McGregor powering into the canoeing history record books by winning his seventh title in the Windhoek Berg River Canoe marathon, edging past the record of six wins that he had shared with Robbie Herreveld, while Robyn Kime dominated the ladies race over the four days, finishing over an hour ahead of nearest rival, Donna Winter.

McGregor blasted into the finish at Velddrif victorious, without another boat in sight. “I am really happy. My dad was here for my first win, and now he was here for my seventh. It’s a really special moment.” said the champion.

Second placed King praised McGregor saying, “Hank deserves it. He is a true professional. No one can match his skill, racing mentality, and experience.” Heinrich Schloms raced a skilled and consistent race over the last four days, to finish in third overall.

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The Berg River Canoe Marathon
is one of the hardest, and most grueling, canoe races
of the year.

It takes dedication and staying true to what you believe in, in order to complete the race, but above all, it is the absolute commitment and passion.

The 4 day event covers a distance of over 250km from Paarl all the way to Velddrif on the West Coast of South Afrca. It starts on Wednesday, 14 July 2010, till Saturday, 17 July 2010.

For more information on this event - please visit http://www.windhoekberg.co.za/

For accommodation in the Velddrif area please contact us at Topteam:
+27 (0) 22 783 2624

Conference Facilities

Fully Equipped Beauty Salon

Birdwatching - Close to Bird Hide

Panoramic view of the Berg River

Luxury overnight rooms


All this only 90 minutes from Cape Town

Please contact us for rates and availability - sales@topteam.co.za

By Jeremy Blackwood

Velddrif, Laaiplek, Port Owen, Dwarskersbos and the Great Bergriver Estuary

Velddrif is situated some 2 km upstream from where the Berg River flows into the sea at the Bay of St Helena. The name Velddrif came into existence when a farmer, Theunis Smit, took his stock through a drift in the veld, to find grazing across the river. The animals often had to swim across the river. Later on, in 1899, a pont was built, which was the only means of crossing the Berg River.

About a hundred years ago, the wheat harvest from the Sandveld was brought down the Berg River to a storing place near the rivermouth. There it was then loaded onto smaller boats to take the wheat across the sand banks to bigger ships waiting further out, on their way to Cape Town.

The "loading place" eventually became Laaiplek. In 1968 engineers blasted a channel, linking the river with St Helena Bay, and the fishing harbour of Laaiplek was completed.

The entrance to the Great Berg River and the villages of Port Owen, Laaiplek and Velddrif

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