Hockly wins U23 silver as SA team shine at world champs

Saskia Hockly was among several South African medalists at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships held in Spain this past weekend.

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Saskia Hockly (left) and Georgia Singe, who finished second and third respectively, with U23 champion Rosie Edwards from the UK (centre) at the IFC Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain, over the weekend. Photo: Paddle Worldwide

UMDLOTI resident Saskia Hockly won silver in the U23 women’s race at this weekend’s ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain.

Hockly was part of a team of 20 athletes representing South Africa.

The talented paddler, a former U23 and mixed doubles world champion was in a successful national team that dominated in the juniors.

South Africa topped the official medal table with six gold medals and also won the points-based Nations Cup ahead of Australia.

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Junior boys:

There was much delight as the junior boys claimed the top four places in their category, with Sam Mocke (13th overall) earning his third consecutive junior world title.

He was followed onto the podium by Keegan Vogt and Ryley Smith who finished second and third respectively, with Jarryd Cole just missing out on a medal in fourth.

SS1 women’s race and U23

Kira Bester missed out on a hat-trick of world championship victories when the 2024 and 2025 champion finished second to Australian Jemma Smith in the women’s (SS1) race on Friday. Durbanite Michelle Burn finished in fifth place.

In the U23 women’s event the UK’s Rosie Edwards claimed top spot, with uMdloti’s Hockly second (and ninth overall), and Georgia Singe third (tenth overall).

Australia’s Jemma Smith, who won the women’s singles race, is flanked by 2024 and 2025 champion Kira Bester of South Africa (left) and UK’s Rosie Edwards in third place. Photo: Paddle Worldwide

Men’s SS1 race

Germany’s Gordan Harbrecht was crowned world champ in the singles race while KZN north coast paddler Hank McGregor finished in fourth place. Eight South African paddlers finished in the top 15 of the singles race.

Mixed doubles race SS2

In the mixed doubles races on Saturday, South African paddlers Jade Wilson and McGregor finished second, with Uli Hart and Georgia Singe rounding out the podium, while Bester and Kenny Rice just missed out on a medal.

U23 doubles and junior doubles

There was more gold for South Africa in the younger age groups of the mixed doubles, with Holly Smith teaming up with Mocke for his second win of the weekend, this time in the U23 mixed category, ahead of Nicola Harcus and David Coetzer.

Hanna Solomon and Vogt won the junior mixed event, while fellow SA juniors Isabella Strydom and Smith finished third.

Other victories

Josh and Matt Fenn won the overall doubles race.
Hank McGregor won the 45–49 age-group event
Michelle Burn won the 40–44 age group
Daniel Malan and Simon Willmott won the 130–139 age group (masters in their combined age group) in the doubles race

Hank McGregor finished fourth overall in the men’s singles race, but will take some heart from his victory in the 45-49 age group and finishing second overall in the mixed doubles race with Jade Wilson. Photo: Paddle Worldwide

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