Rules 2025

ICF and PSA Rules
Entries
Classes of kayaks
Registrations
Seeding, batches and start times
Race distance
Safety
Rules and Regulations
Protests and appeals
Amendments to the race rules

ICF and PSA Rules:
1. The International Canoe Federation Marathon Racing Rules and the PSA Rules and Regulations will apply.
2. In the event of the rules set out below conflicting with the aforesaid International Canoe Federation Marathon Racing Rules and the PSA Rules and Regulations, the rules set out below will apply.
Entries:
1. Entries are online only. Please follow the links on the Berg Marathon website (www.Berg.org.za) or go to the PSA Entry Portal
2. Entry fees may be carried over to the next year with proof of illness, or hospitalization.
3. The Race entry fee includes a Goody Bag, a T-shirt and lunch at the end of three days, a finishing medal and a meal at the prize-giving function in Velddrif.
4. Extra meal tickets for the prize-giving function in Velddrif can be purchased at the function at a cost of R150.00 for adults and R75.00 for children under 12.
5. Suppers and breakfast are not included in the entry fee, but are at the paddlers own cost and arrangement.
Classes of kayaks:
1. The race is open to K1 canoes only.
2. The class categories will be:
  1. K1 Junior Women <18
  2. K1 U23 Women >19
  3. K1 Senior Women >24
  4. K1 Sub-Vet Women >35
  5. K1 Veteran Women >40
  6. K1 Sub-Master Women >45
  7. K1 Master Women >50
  8. K1 Sub-Grandmaster Women >55
  9. K1 Grandmaster Women >60
  10. K1 Junior Men <18
  11. K1 U23 Men >19
  12. K1 Senior Men >24
  13. K1 Sub Vet Men >35
  14. K1 Veteran Men >40
  15. K1 Sub Master Men >45
  16. K1 Master Men >50
  17. K1 Sub-Grandmaster Men >55
  18. K1 Grandmaster Men >60
  19. K1 Great-Grandmaster Men >65
  20. K1 Super-Grandmaster Men >70
  21. K1 Legends >75
Registration and check-in:
1. Registration will take place at the Paarl Canoe Club, on Wednesday 2 July 2025 from 07h00 to 08h30.
2. It is compulsory for all to register prior to the start of the race.
3. All competitors must check-in at their designated pound 15 min before their start time each day.
4. Competitors may not enter the water until instructed to do so.
Seeding, batches and start times:
See Start Times here
Race distance:
1. The marathon for all entrants will start on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 at Market Street Bridge in Paarl.
2. It will be raced over 4 stages covering 240km to finish on Saturday, 5 July 2025 at the Carinus Bridge in Velddrif.
  1. The First Day will start in Paarl and finish at Zonquasdrift (62 km)
  2. The Second Day will start at Zonquasdrift and finish at Bridgetown (46 km).
  3. The Third Day will start at Bridgetown and finish at Zoutkloof (76 km).
  4. The Fourth Day will start at Zoutkloof and finish at Velddrif (56 km).
Safety:
1. All entrants must be A Grade paddler according to PSA rules and regulations. (i.e. completed 6 B-or C-Grade races at any time).
2. All entrants must be registered with their unions and be in possession of a valid PSA license (except for foreign paddlers).
3. Entrants must be fifteen years or older at the start of the race.
4. Sufficient buoyancy in front of and behind the cockpit (min 2 x 10 liters) is compulsory.
5. PSA approved kayaking jackets will be compulsory for all paddlers.
6. Competitors are warned that the Berg is raced over dangerous terrain and by entering the race competitors are exposing themselves to certain risks. Neither the Western Cape Canoe Union nor any of the organizers or sponsors shall be responsible for any illness, injury or death to a competitor or seconder or for any loss suffered by a competitor or seconder because of competing in the marathon.
7. It is the paddler’s responsibility to know the dangers on the river and have sufficient skills and have done enough preparation to manage these dangers safely.
8. Competitors are reminded that they have, either in writing or electronically at the time of registering on the entry portal, signed an indemnity form absolving the organizers from all liability in the event of loss, injury, or death.
9. It is strongly recommended that paddlers take along a cell phone in a watertight pouch in case of emergency.
10. Officials reserve the right to take disciplinary steps at any time during the race.
11. The race officials and organizers reserve the right to prohibit juniors and certain paddlers from taking part in the marathon, on the mornings of the race, if conditions are not deemed to be safe for certain classes of paddler.
Rules and Regulations:
1. Paddles may be replaced at any time.
2. Canoes may not be replaced during the marathon. Paddlers must finish in the canoe they started in. Any paddler who replaces a canoe during the marathon will be disqualified.
3. Canoes may be repaired at the stop over, provided the paddler managed to reach the day’s finish. A paddler may start the next day at the place where the boat broke, after repairs were done, at the discretion of the race director.
4. Canoes must be numbered in accordance with PSA Regulations. Numbers must not be obscured by any items fixed to the canoes.
5. Male paddlers may not interfere in the lady’s race, to advantage ladies who are in contention for prizes.
6. River conditions may require compulsory portages. Failure to abide by instructions for compulsory portages will result in disqualification. Portaging is only permitted around obstacles. The shortest route must always be followed. Paddlers must stay in the main riverbed on the last day unless the race officials are forced to change the rule due to flood conditions.
7. Any competitor retiring from the race must advise the organizers.
8. No outside assistance is permitted to gain an unfair advantage, or to enhance your position.
Protests and appeals:
1. A protest made during a competition relating to an incident in the race must be handed to the race director in writing and within 1 hour of completing the course and be accompanied by a fee of R50 which shall be refunded if the protest is upheld.
2. The race director shall decide on matters where a protest has been made and where the race rules have been broken during the competition.
3. The race director may disqualify or penalize any competitor who behaved improperly or who, by his conduct or speech shows contempt towards the officials, the SAPS divers, Medics, other competitors, or spectators.
4. Appeals against any decision of the race director should be made in writing, with the reasons for the appeals, and lodged with the Race Jury not later than 30 minutes after the competitor or manager has been informed of the decision. A fee of R50 must accompany the appeal, which will be refunded if the appeal is upheld.
5. The race Jury shall hear any appeals which may be received and settle any disputes that may arise as a result of decisions made by the race director.
6. Decisions of the Race Jury are final and not subject to appeal.
Amendments to the race rules:
1. The organizers have the right to:
  1. Amend or add to these rules at any stage.
  2. Take appropriate disciplinary action against any competitor in breach of these rules.
  3. Accept or reject any entry.

#TheUltimateCanoeRace

Paarl to Veddrif

2-5 July 2025