Unions

The biggest province in terms of number of registered paddlers, KwaZulu-Natal hosts a thriving summer river marathon season, as well as a strong core of sprint, slalom, and canoe polo players. The river season includes major races on exciting rough water such as the Umgeni, Umsindusi, Umkomaas, Tugela and Umzimkulu Rivers.
The Union was formed after the inaugural Dusi marathon in 1951, and over the years has seen the likes of Ernie Pearce, Charlie Mason, Fox Ledeboer, Paul Chalupsky, Robbie Stewart, Geoff Dyer, Des Park, Mark Conway and Ivan Levinson chair the Union.
Most of the development initiatives are based in and around Pietermaritzburg. The Nagle Dam project, founded by the late Robert Lembethe is thriving, and there are also thriving initiatives at the Dusi Valley Number Nine Club, Forest Lake and Toti clubs.
Contact:
KNCU Administration:
duncan@mrbm.co.za,
0837792284
KNCU correspondence to 6 Patricia Road, Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg. 3201
Website: www.kncu.co.za
Affiliated Clubs: Alex Wasps, Amanzintoti, Bushmans Canoeing, Canyon Kayak, Crusaders, Dragon, DHS, Epworth, Eshowe, Eston, Fezela, Forest Lake, George Campbell, Hilton College, Kearsney College, KZN Ski Club, Mr Price Kingfisher, Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, Maritzburg College, Midlands Multi Sports, Michaelhouse, Natal Canoe Club, University of KZN (Dbn), University of KZN (Pmb), Ngwenya, Robert Lembethe, Rorkes Drift, Scottburgh, South Coast Striders, Stella, Thousand Hills Canoe Club, The Wykham Collegiate, Umfolozi, Umvoti, Umzinyathi, Zululand and Zululand Triathlon Club.

The Gauteng Canoe Union is the second largest in terms of registered paddlers, and hosts a thriving long distance (LD) season, much of which is based on the many excellent training dams in the greater Gauteng area. In 2002, Gauteng and Northern Gauteng merged to form a single Union, known as the Gauteng Canoe Union.
Contact:
GCU Administration: Michelle van der Walt
Tel: (011) 888 7234 Fax: (011) 646 9624
Cellphone: 082 594 9001
Email: info@gcu.co.za
Postal: Postnet Suite 180, Private Bag X1, Northcliff, 2115
Website: www.gcu.co.za
Affiliated Clubs: Dabulamanzi, Ekhuruleni Kayak Club, Florida Lake, Johannesburg Canoe Club, Sasol Canoe Club, Victoria Lake, Watuni, Wits, Delville, Likkewaan, Johannesburg University, Crocodile , Pukke, Centurion, Lowveld, Mountain, Pretoria, Tukkies (University of Pretoria), Olifants, Adventure Racing, Soweto.

The Western Cape river racing season peaks in July, with the 4-day epic Berg River Marathon from Paarl to Velddrif covering 244 kilometres.
In September the season shifts to the Breede Marathon, over 78 kilometres from Robertson to Swellendam on mostly flatwater, with some interesting weirs.
The Union also has a thriving development programme that has taken the sport of canoeing to many who otherwise might never have been able to get onto the water. This includes a “Coach the Coaches” programme, clinics in Paarl, Stellenbosch, Milnerton and the Peninsula and a “Work for Water” project with the Dept of Water Affairs.
Contact:
WCCU Administration: Laura van Heerden
Tel: 082 700 2742
Email: admin@wpcanoe.org.za
Website: www.wpcanoe.org.za
Affiliated Clubs: Crocodile, Milnerton, Paarl, Peninsula, Stellenbosch, Simonstown, University of Cape Town, Upington, Kuils Rivier, Langebaan, Zeekoeimanzi.

The Eastern Cape Canoe Club was formed in 1963 by Norman Dyer and Tony Oshery, and the official provincial Union followed in 1977 under chairman Eldon Slabbert, with his son Stanford as secretary. The region’s premier event is undoubtedly the annual Hansa Fish River Marathon, ending in the Karoo town of Cradock, which now attracts over 1700 paddlers annually. It features 80 km of fast flowing irrigation water racing through willow trees, big rapids (like Keith’s Flyover), and several testing weirs.
Contact:
ECCU Administration: Chantelle Els
Email: ecsurfski@iafrica.com
Affiliated Clubs: Blue Water Canoe Club, Border Canoe Club, Fish River, Knysna, Outeniqua, Rhodes University, Pondoland, Wild Duck, Plettenberg Bay.

The small Central Districts incorporates the old Free State Canoe Union, as well as clubs in the Northern Cape and North West provinces. It is based in Bloemfontein and provides a domestic season aimed at training for the major LD races across the country. It’s premier event is the 2-day Orange River Marathon, which is a blend of long expanses of flat water and a few massive rapids.
Contact:
CDCU Administration: Rudi Witteveen
Tel: 053 8615 718 Cell : 082 8000 698
Email: rudiwit@iafrica.com; witteveen@iafrica.com
Postal: P O Box 2714 Kimberley 8300
Website: www.cdcu.co.za
Affiliated Clubs: Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Welkom, Bethelem/Maluti, Potchefstroom, Vereeniging.