Hi {name},

Yesterday we passed the 100-days-to-go mark until the 2024 Berg River Canoe Marathon – but there is a much more pressing deadline looming with Early Bird Entries closing on April 1.

This almost writes itself, but do not be an April Fool and miss this deadline. The extremely generous Early Bird entry gives paddlers a massive 33% discount, so you really would be foolish not to take advantage of the organisers' goodwill if you are thinking of taking part in one of South Africa's great sporting events on July 3-6.

Last year we saw Jannie Malherbe record his 50th finish in the Berg, and among the early entries received already this year is Rene Boem, a key member of the Berg organising team who will be aiming for his 40th.

Among the Early Bird entries received as at March 23, are a select group of five paddlers with a pretty impressive total of 174 finishers between them. Leading the way among the these hardy Early Birds is Rene with his 39 finishes, followed closely by Francois Loedolff (38), and then Chris De Waal and Johan Serdyn (33 each), while Paul Lange is a relative newbie with "just" 31 finishes.

No matter if the 2024 Berg is going to be your first, or (if you name is Jannie) you 51st, then get an entry in now and enjoy the Early Bird discount.

All entries via the CSA Entry Portal at https://paddler.canoesa.com/

Currently the entry fees for the Early Bird paddlers is as follows:
Seniors: R2 000;
Juniors: R1 200; 
Development Seniors: R1 800;
Development Juniors: R1 000

Entries will revert to normal prices on April 2nd. These will be in force until June 18th and will be as follows:
Seniors: R3 000;
Junior R2 200;
Development Senior R2 000;
Development Junior R1 200

Late entries will be in force from June 19th until July 1st, and will be as follows:
Seniors: R3 500;
Junior R2 700;
Development Senior R2 500;
Development Junior R1 500

It is possible to qualify to take part in the Berg in your first year of paddling, but you have to follow these instructions:

    1. Get hold of your club safety officer and do a Basic Proficiency Test (BPT), which gives you a Flat-Water Proficiency (FW Rating)

    2. Take part in Time Trials and Flat-water races. You have to complete 10km on flat water in 70 minutes.

    3. Get hold of your club safety officer again and do a River Proficiency Test (RPT), which gives you a BR river rating.

    4. Take part in C or B grade river races and complete the races within 1.75% of the winner’s time.

    5. According to CSA, to receive an AR river rating, you have to do at least six C, or B grade ricer races. This may include river trips, which are monitored by a competent club member and approved by the club safety officer.

    6. Take part in at least three of the four Pre-Berg, B grade river races listed below and try and complete them within 1.5% of the winner’s time. Remember, the better you do on the Berg-pre races, the better are your chances of completing the Berg.

    7. Hand a list of your trips and races to your club safety officer. If he / she is happy with your progress, he / she will upgrade you to an AR river rating. You have to be AR rated to be able to enter online at https://paddler.canoesa.com/

    8. Do paddle training of at least 5 hours a week, on flat water for fitness and on the river for river skills and river knowledge. Remember, the Berg can take anything between 20 and 30 hours to complete.

    9. Enter the Berg before the closing date, to ensure a spot on the starting line. Some of the qualifying races are held after the entry closing date. Should you not have qualified, you will receive a full refund of your entry fee.

    10. For more information, you can contact your club safety officer, or René Boehm on 073 363 9866.10. 

Good luck with your training.

Thank you

The 2024 Berg Committee