Berg River Canoe Marathon: Ntondini returns ahead of Dusi push

Gauteng-based paddler Siseko Ntondini will return to the Berg River Canoe Marathon this year for the race from 7-10 July.

Ntondini’s last appearance at the West Coast classic was in 2012 where he finished in fourteenth place overall, a race that was won by Berg legend Hank McGregor.

Berg River Canoe Marathon return for Ntondini

According to the Soweto Canoeing and Recreation Club member, t wasn’t a difficult decision as he jumped at the opportunity to get back to the Berg following a long absence from the race.

“I thought that this would be a good year to give the Berg a go,” the Euro Steel/AdReach paddler said. “I have had a good base to work from following the Dusi and then the Non-Stop so I am fit.

“I am looking forward to giving this year’s race a good go and if I can finish in the top ten then I’ll be very happy because it’s a very strong field.”

Ntondini has targeted the epic Queen Stage of the Berg, the 75km third stage from Bridgetown to Zoutkloof for his big push putting in long training sessions in the build-up to the race.

“The training started as a bit of a shock having to spend so much time in the boat but I’ve got used to it and know that it can only help me when I am paddling that incredibly long day three.

“I am looking forward to being in the boat and paddling those long days because I have put in the hard training for the race.”

The Dusi is his Holy Grail

This year’s Berg will form part of a greater plan for the Gauteng-based paddler who is already looking towards the 2022 Dusi Canoe Marathon season.

“The Berg will give me a really good base to build on going into the rest of this year and into the river season next year.

“I want to do well at Fish this year and this is an important part of that but also for Dusi next year.

“Given that we don’t run over Burma Road on day three of the Dusi I think that the Berg will help me in preparing for a longer day in the boat on the final day of the Dusi.”

Not thinking about the weather

Ntondini has little concern about his ability to handle the Western Cape winter weather conditions.

“The weather isn’t something I am thinking about, I am used to the cold,” he commented.

Berg River Canoe Marathon mentor

Ntondini and fellow SCARC member Benjamin Mntonintshi will lead the charge for Gauteng at this year’s Berg with the former Ntondini tasked with a mentor role.

“Benjamin is still Under 23 and will be doing his first Berg this year so I have been trying to help him at training.

“It’s going to be a tough race with a really strong field so we are looking forward to the challenge that the race is going to exciting.”