CAPE TOWN – As Cape Town’s thriving ocean racing community prepares to honour the spirit of Freedom Day, the organisers of the Prescient Freedom Paddle once again express their gratitude for the partnerships that have helped the event become an iconic surfski race.
In just eight years, the annual race around Robben Island on April 27 has developed into one of South Africa’s premier paddling events, joining the ranks of Cape Town’s world-famous sporting occasions, including the Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Cape Town Cycle Tour and Absa Cape Epic.
As the dedicated organising team prepares for the ninth edition of the world-class event, they recognise that one of the key pillars of its success has been a committed group of sponsors and partners.
Arguably the most significant partnership has been the seven-year involvement of title sponsor Prescient Fund Services. The global full-suite fund services firm has proven to be as committed to the event as they are to being the constant behind-their-clients investing success.
“Partnerships that empower success are deeply ingrained in Prescient Fund Services, and the Prescient Freedom Paddle is a perfect example of this,” says Craig Mockford, CEO at Prescient Fund Services.
“We are committed to building long-term relationships that create shared success and are proud to continue our partnership with this event, which embodies resilience, excellence, and the spirit of teamwork.”
The Prescient Freedom Paddle connects two of the world’s most iconic destinations: the historically significant Robben Island and one of the world’s most recognisable natural landmarks, Table Mountain. With Cape Town’s two most celebrated international attractions forming the backdrop to the race, it is fitting that the City of Cape Town remains one of the event’s major partners.
“There’s no more meaningful setting than Robben Island, a place that once symbolised confinement but today stands as a powerful reminder of resilience and triumph, to serve as a stage for this event,” said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security. “With Table Mountain and the city’s natural beauty as a backdrop, the Freedom Paddle not only honours an important day in our history, but has also cemented itself as one of the stand-out moments on Cape Town’s annual events calendar.
“As the City of Cape Town, we are proud to partner with the Freedom Paddle to host and welcome the hundreds of paddlers who take part in this special occasion.”
Prominent South African stainless steel and aluminium supplier Euro Steel has supported the event since the inaugural race around Robben Island in 2018.
“Euro Steel has been deeply involved with the South African paddling community for many years and has proudly been an integral part of the growth of the Prescient Freedom Paddle since its inception,” said Colin Wilson, CEO of Euro Steel. “We have seen it grow from a great paddle on a historic course, into a race that stands on its own as an iconic event – one that the country’s best surfski paddlers are highly motivated to win in order to prove they are the best in South Africa.”
Race director Robin Tindall understands just how important these partnerships have been to the success of the race.
“Next year we will celebrate ten years of very hard work in creating an event that justifies its place as a celebration of South Africa’s democracy, but we could not have built the event to where it is today without the invaluable assistance of an outstanding team of sponsors and partners,” said Tindall.
“We must acknowledge the contribution of partners such as Prescient, the City of Cape Town and Euro Steel as the event has grown. There are also several other brands that have played an important role. Without the support of Dunlop, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages and Powerade, Mocke Paddling, Carbonology, Bryan’s Kayaks, Sealand, Woodstock Brewery and many others, we would not have been able to grow – and in turn be in a position to assist organisations such as Operation Smile South Africa and the SANParks Honorary Rangers.”
The Prescient Freedom Paddle offers paddlers two race distance options on April 27. Elite competitors will tackle the demanding 27km course from the Oceana Power Boat Club, around Robben Island and back to the start, while a shorter 10km coastal route caters for paddlers who prefer to avoid the full open-water circumnavigation.
The event is open to all seaworthy, human paddle-powered craft, including surfskis, lifesaving paddle boats, stand-up paddle boards, ocean sculls and ocean kayaks.
Entries and further information are available at freedompaddle.co.za.