West Coast Canoe Club

18/07/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Lovemore Withdraws

EDIT/UPDATE: Evidently Anders Hart also did not start from fourth

Bad news for third-placed Thomas Lovemore who has been forced to pull out of the 2026 Berg River Canoe Marathon before the start of Day 4 due to illness. The 2024 Champion was lying in third place and just 45 seconds behind second-placed Jeremy Maher, setting up a potentially explosive final stage into Velddrif as the two fought for the second step of the podium.

Lovemore's withdrawal means Msawenkosi Mtolo moves into third, with Anders Hart fourth, two and a half minutes behind, with Heinrich Schloms rounding out the top five, another 37 seconds back.

Up front, Hank McGregor enjoys a lead of almost 13 minutes, while in the women's race Neriyah Dill is over an hour ahead of second-placed Christy Shrimpton.

18/07/2026

Here's a warm, community-focused post you can use:

🚣‍♀️ **WELCOME HOME, BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON PADDLERS!** 🚣‍♂️

The final stage is here, and we can't wait to welcome all the paddlers back to **Velddrif** after an incredible journey down the Berg River.

Whether you're competing, supporting a paddler, or simply coming to experience the excitement, be sure to stop by and enjoy the festive atmosphere!

🍔 **Food and refreshments** will be available to keep everyone fuelled throughout the day.

🛍️ While you're here, don't forget to visit the **Saturday Market at The Village**, conveniently located just across the street. Browse the local stalls, support small businesses, and enjoy everything our beautiful town has to offer.

To every paddler: congratulations on your determination, resilience, and achievement. Finishing the Berg River Canoe Marathon is something to be incredibly proud of.

We wish you all a fantastic final stage and look forward to welcoming you across the finish line!

📍 See you in Velddrif!

17/07/2026

🚣‍♀️ **BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON 2026 – DAY 3 WOMEN'S RESULTS** 🚣‍♀️

An outstanding performance from **Neriyah Dill**, who has strengthened her overall lead to **more than an hour** with only the final stage remaining!

Current overall standings after Day 3:

🥇 **Neriyah Dill** – **15:53:43**
🥈 **Christy Shrimpton** – **17:02:02**
🥉 **Natasha Bradford** – **17:25:32**

With one stage left, Neriyah has one hand on the winner's trophy, but as every paddler knows, the Berg River can be unpredictable until the very last finish line.

Congratulations to all the women who continue to battle through one of the toughest canoe marathons in the world. Your determination and resilience are inspiring! 💙

Good luck to every paddler for the final stage to Velddrif! 🚣🌊

17/07/2026

🚣 **BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON 2026 – DAY 3 RESULTS** 🚣

What an incredible day on the Berg!

Congratulations to **Hank McGregor** for securing his **third consecutive stage victory**, extending his overall lead to almost **13 minutes**.

🥇 Hank McGregor – **5:45:59**
🥈 Thomas Lovemore – **5:46:00**
🥉 Jeremy Maher – **5:46:01**

Just **one second** separated each of the top three finishers after a thrilling stage to Zoutkloof!

A tough day also for **Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert**, who was lying second overall before breaking his paddle, reportedly costing him around **30 minutes** and reshuffling the leaderboard.

Congratulations to every paddler who continues to push through the kilometres. Every stage brings new challenges, and the determination shown on the river is inspiring.

We wish everyone a safe and successful final stages of the marathon! 💙🚣

17/07/2026

📍HANK and ANDERS are through at Soetdraai ( halfway mark)
1 min behind leading bunch.

Still about 35 km to go. 😊🫣

17/07/2026

17/07/2026

📍Still 60 km to go to finish line at ZOUTKLOOF farm.😊
Portage Misverstand dam.
15 km mark
Tom Lovemore in the lead.
A group of 7 paddlers.
Second woman at put in at Misverstand dam.

16/07/2026

Some pictures of our paddlers

16/07/2026

MOVING DAY

14-time race winner, Hank McGregor has taken control of the Berg River Canoe Marathon and opened up a gap on young Maties student Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert.

At the finish at Bridgetown, the 48-year-old veteran has a solid two-and-a-half minute lead on his young rival and is in the perfect position of just needing to mark the 22-year-old over the next two days to ensure his 15th victory.

10 minutes behind the leading two there were some big changes with KZN's Jeremy Maher storming through the field from seventh into third place with 2024 champion Tom Lovemore 45 seconds back and moving up from sixth to fourth, while Msawenkosi Mtolo has slid into fifth with Heinrich Schloms, then Anders Hart, Paul Marais moving up to eighth, followed by Benjamin Mntonintshi and Zamokuhle Meyiwa rounding out the top ten.