Top crews return for popular Umkomaas canoe marathon
Hank McGregor will once again line up alongside Wayne Jacobs, the pair returning to defend the title they claimed last year.
The stage is set for the STIHL Umkomaas Canoe Marathon, which returns to the Umkomaas Valley this weekend, with a powerful field of contenders lining up for the two-day race on March 14 and 15.
Starting from Nyala Pans and winding through the dramatic Umkomaas Valley, the race is widely regarded as one of the most demanding river marathons on the South African paddling calendar. Unlike many major river races, Umkomaas remains one of the last undammed rivers in the country, meaning the water level is dictated entirely by rainfall in the catchment area in the days leading up to the race.
For defending champion Hank McGregor, the river has always been the real opponent.
Forecasts suggest a medium river level heading into the weekend, conditions that typically produce fast racing while still demanding careful decision-making through the river’s technical sections.
McGregor will once again line up alongside Wayne Jacobs, the pair returning to defend the title they claimed last year.
The partnership is one of the most experienced on the river. McGregor has won the Umko an extraordinary 12 times, with five of those victories alongside Jacobs, making them a formidable combination whenever they take to the water together.
Among the crews most likely to challenge the defending champions are Matt Fenn and Brad Boulle, who finished second in last year’s race and return determined to go one step further.
Fenn arrives with significant momentum after winning the Dusi Canoe Marathon earlier this season, one of the country’s most prestigious paddling titles. That result alone makes the Fenn-Boulle pairing one of the most dangerous crews in the field.
Another strong challenge will come from Sbonelo Khwela and Mswenkosi Mtolo, who finished second at this year’s Dusi alongside different partners and bring exceptional river racing credentials into the Umko.
With several top crews capable of winning, the race is shaping up as a tight contest where tactical decisions and precision through the rapids could prove decisive.
With champions returning, challengers in peak form, and the unpredictable Umkomaas River ready to play its part, the 2026 STIHL Umkomaas Canoe Marathon promises another gripping chapter in one of South Africa’s most respected river races.
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