Maher and Lovemore look like the pair to beat at Berg 2024

A bunch of relative young guns will line up with the hope of starting a new era of domination at the 2024 Berg River Canoe Marathon from Wednesday to Saturday this week.

The two paddlers to beat in the race from Paarl to Velddrif look like being last year's runner up Jeremy Maher and third-placed Thomas Lovemore – the two who pushed 45-year-old Hank McGregor all the way in 2023 as the veteran notched up his 13th win.

At just 22 years old, Maher has been quietly collecting some impressive results – including a stage win last year, but his runner-up spot overall in 2023 means it would be no surprise if he claimed one of South African canoeing major titles on Saturday.

Lovemore has recently been overshadowed by his Olympic-bound brother Hamish, and a victory in the Berg would ensure he reclaims some bragging rights at the family dinners, as well as adding his name to the list of illustrious winners of the four-day classic.

However, to suggest this is a two-horse race would be foolish, and there is a group of eight or nine paddlers who would like to think they are in with a chance of claiming one of the most sought after titles on the SA paddling circuit.

Led by Maher, there is a strong contingent of KZN paddlers who are braving the cold Berg waters. Veteran Thulani Mbanjwa, the first black winner of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, as well as Dusi runner up earlier this year, Msawenkosi Mtolo, and his five-time Dusi non-stop winning partner, Thabani Msia, will all get better as the days get longer.

The Gauteng challenge is lead by Clinton Cook with Siseko Ntondini another upcountry paddler who could provide a surprise.

Local paddlers will be looking to Diviano Pietersen to continue his good form from the build-up races and reclaim the title for the Western Cape. Pietersen has finished on the podium in three of the four most recent Berg preparation races and, along with Paarl clubmate Heinrich Schloms, should be competing for the front group each day.

One unknown factor is Irishman David Horkan. Known as an adventure paddler, he has also notched up some impressive results in European ultra-distance races and could come into his own on the long grinding stages which make up the Berg.

This year's Berg has attracted a strong contingent of "Golden Oldies", and Robbie Herreveld, a six-time former winner, will be watched with interest after he won and was second in another of the recent preparation events on the Berg. He will be joined by other former winners, including Maynhard Marais, Graham Montieth and Jannie Malherbe – who will be aming for a record-equalling 51st finish.

The women's race should see Stephanie Von der Heyde leading the charge, but she will face some competition from 2023 runner up Bianca Beavitt, while youngsters Tayla Isaac and Neriyah Dill will be hoping for a surprise in their debut Berg River Marathons.

The events starts on Wednesday morning at 8:45am in Paarl and will end on Saturday in Velddrif. Overnight stops are at Zonquasdrift, Bridgetown and Zoutkloof.