CAPE TOWN – The intrigue is building for the 2026 Prescient Freedom Paddle on April 27, with the list of entrants growing as quickly as the speculation on race winners and partnerships.
The annual Freedom Day race around Robben Island always attracts the cream of South African surfski paddlers and the start list for the ninth edition already has some fascinating combinations of defending race champions, current and past World Champions, and World Championship medallists.
The dominant force at the event since he first won in 2019 is Hank McGregor, but while South Africa’s most successful paddler has once again indicated he will be on the start line, a small surprise is that he will not be paddling with his regular race-winning partner.
Four out of McGregor’s five race wins have been with Josh Fenn, but with McGregor opting to race with his “other” partner, wife Pippa, Fenn has teamed up with another multiple World Canoeing Champion, Andy Birkett.
On paper Fenn – who last year won the Mixed Doubles title in Durban at the Ocean Racing World Championships – and his three-time Canoe Marathon World Champion partner are probably marginal favourites.
Birkett is coming off a record-breaking Dusi win, while victory against a strong field at the Pete Marlin Surfski race late last year is ample proof the Olympic sprinter’s ocean racing skills are now close to those of the sea paddling specialists.
However, the stacked field means the Birkett / Fenn crew cannot be over confident and will face stiff competition from at least two world-class teams.
Another World Champion pairing with their eyes on victory is 2025 winners Nick Notten and Kenny Rice. The respective World Champions from 2021 and 2022 powered away from all opposition 12 months ago and look certain to at least be in the lead group approaching the finish.
And then former Mixed Doubles and four-time U23 World Champion, Uli Hart, will be looking to convert five top-5 finishes at the Freedom Paddle into a maiden win. He teams up with marathon specialist Clint Cook in an interesting combination. Cook may not have the surfski pedigree of his illustrious partner, but the SA Team paddler has plenty of speed and stamina to offer.
The women’s race also is attracting a strong field. Historically no single paddler has been able to dominate the race year after year. However, Kira Bester’s recent dominant form locally and internationally means she and Melanie van Niekerk are favourites to defend their title.
Two-time race winner, Saskia Hockly, has teamed up with the UK’s Rosie Edwards in an all World Champion crew that looks most likely to provide the strongest opposition.
Hockly partnered Fenn to the Mixed Doubles World title last year, while Edwards finished third single overall and won the U23 category at the World Championships in Durban. If the pair combine smoothly in a boat, Bester and Van Niekerk will have to be at their best to claim a repeat victory.
The 27km Prescient Freedom Paddle will once again take place on the Freedom Day public holiday, with organisers hoping a record 400 paddlers celebrates the anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections.
The ocean paddling and rowing event is open to all “human-powered paddle craft” that are seaworthy enough to complete the course, while a shorter 10km race allows paddlers of all levels to be part of the historic day’s action.
Entries and more information available at freedompaddle.co.za