Local canoeist conquers the Berg River
EMMARENTIA – Wayne Jacobs took home a gold medal after placing fifth in the four-day race.
Local canoeist Wayne Jacobs received a gold medal as one of the top five finishers in a four-day race at the Berg River Canoe Marathon.
Jacobs finished fifth place and did so in 18:06:59 in a K1 kayak at an event that celebrated the 60th running of the Berg River race. The Dabulamanzi Canoe Club member is said to be one of the provinces top paddlers for some years now and usually makes Gauteng proud wherever he may race.
The marathon takes place annually in the Western Cape over a 240km distance, from Paarl to the small harbour of Velddrif on the West Coast.
It usually runs over four days, often in the pouring rain during the wet winter month of July, when the Berg River level is expected to be at its highest. The water is fast-flowing, often through narrow channels choked with trees, low branches, and submerged obstacles. The course of the river is due north from Paarl to Piketberg and from there it meanders west across the coastal plain to Velddrif.
The first three days of the race are said to have been fantastic weather conditions with good water, and a strong field consisting of a number of current as well as ex marathon world champions who were previous race winners.
Jacobs said he was very happy to have been in contention on the front bunch each day. However, the fourth day, saw the arrival of a severe cold front with icy winds, large waves as well as an incoming tide pushing back against the paddlers. This provided serious resistance making the final 58km stage very tough.
He suffered from both exhaustion and hypothermia, he had also lost contact with the front three boats over the last 10kms of the stage. Yet he still managed to hold on to that fifth place.
