fish river

Are you ready for the 2014 Fish?

The 33rd edition of the Hansa Fish Canoe Marathon which takes place in Cradock on Friday, 10 and Saturday, 11 October 2014, will welcome canoeists from every corner of the country, and the world. The popularity of this annual event looks set to grow exponentially with the innovative addition of a new “short course” option …

The race, which starts on Grassridge Dam Friday October 10, 2014 at 07:00, will end the first day 45,8km further, 1km below Knutsford Bridge. This is the start of Day 2 of the race on Saturday 11 October 2014 at 07h00, with the race ending 36 km further at the Sports Complex in Cradock.

The two-day event attracts enthusiasts from the whole of South Africa and the world to the small town of Cradock. The timing of this year’s event also allows the elite paddlers who will be participating in the World Marathon Championships in the USA enough recovery time to give their all and aim for success at 2014 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

Also to look out for in branded Hansa K3s at this year’s race will be former Springbok rugby players, Corné Krige and Tiaan Strauss. The two will again be supporting the event’s efforts of raising funds for the underprivileged children. This year’s Charity Batch will be open to the first 50 paddlers willing to pay an additional R800 for their entry. This will be donated to the Vukasebenza Shelter in Cradock as well as the underprivileged children of the area. Bidding for places in the Charity Batch will start on 15 September and close at midday on Tuesday 30 September. You will have to have already entered to bid for a place in the Charity Batch.

The theme for this year’s Hansa Fish Pimp My Ride competition is “BLING SAFARI!”. This is the ultimate “Go Big or Go Home” theme! From pith-helmets, animal onesies, camo-designs on your boat, binos, foliage – to some serious Grootwild. The participants are expected to go large. And the prize! – The combined bodyweight of the winning crew in Hansa Pilsener!

The ever popular Hansa Music Festival will feature acts such as LOCNVILLE on the Friday evening with ShortStraw and Gangs of Ballet to close the weekend on a high when they perform on the Gig Rig on Saturday evening. Entry fees for non-paddlers at the Sport Complex is R10 per adult; R5 per child under 12, until 18:00, thereafter R60 per adult and R30 per child, these apply for both Friday and Saturday.

The 2012 Hansa Fish Canoe Marathon

The 2012 Hansa Fish Canoe Marathon will host the SA K1 river championships, the 18th time in 28 years, since the first national river champs was awarded to the race in 1984, that Canoeing South Africa has decided that the Hansa Fish is the best and fairest event to host the prestigious national river title …

For several years the race has been the most popular choice for paddlers, often eclipsing The Unlimited Dusi for entries, and drawing its participants equally from the Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with Cradock being equidistant almost to the kilometre between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

The success of the Hansa Fish lies in a unique blend of guaranteed water releases, exciting rapids and weirs on the river, warm Klein Karoo hospitality and the festive vibe off the water.

On the water the country’s top marathoners have committed to being on the start line, with several of the big guns, including world champ Hank McGregor and four times Hansa Fish K1 champion Len Jenkins jetting back from the marathon worlds in Rome two weeks before the race. Eastern Cape canoeing supporters are also excited about the prospect of Plett ‘Golden Girl’ Michéle Eray making her return to the race after being laid low last year by a crippling wrist injury.

This year the Hansa Fish will wrap up with another of its hugely popular music concerts at the Sports Complex in Cradock, featuring Ashtray Electric and Lonehill Estate on the Friday night and chart-toppers GoodLuck and Pascal & Pearce on the Saturday night.

“The Hansa Fish is the country’s premier canoe marathon,” said Riaan van Jaarsveld, SA Breweries Events Manager in the Eastern Cape. “More than that it has all the special ingredients that make it a truly unique ‘total experience’ where the visitors to Cradock can enjoy the warmth of the local hospitality, race hard, and really enjoy themselves off the water,” he added.

The event further enjoys massive support from university students and under 23 paddlers, who enthusiastically support the annual themed competition, offering a prize of the paddlers’ weight in Hansa Pilsener for the crew adjudged to be’ best dressed’ to this year’s theme, ‘Pimp Me Viking’.

Related: Accommodation in Cradock

Louw Brothers — Nando’s Knysna Lagoon Challenge: Greg (front) and Ryan Louw – who won the 18km Nando’s Knysna Lagoon Challenge 13 July 2008.