South Africa Tops World Championship Medal Table in Spain

Photo Credit: Paddle Worldwide

Team SA claimed six gold medals and the Nations Cup, with the junior boys sweeping the top four places despite Kira Bester missing out on a third straight world title.

Vila Joiosa, Spain (13 October 2026) – South Africa’s paddlers had plenty to celebrate at the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain, with Team SA finishing top of the medal table after an impressive weekend on the water.

The team collected six gold medals to finish ahead of hosts Spain and also secured the Nations Cup, which is decided on points, ahead of Australia.

One of the standout performances came from the junior boys, who claimed the top four places in their category. Sam Mocke led the charge, securing his third consecutive junior world title after finishing 13th overall. Keegan Vogt took silver, Ryley Smith claimed bronze, and Jarryd Cole finished fourth.

South Africa also enjoyed a strong showing in the senior races, even though Kira Bester missed out on a third consecutive world title. The 2024 and 2025 champion finished second in Friday’s 20km women’s race behind Australia’s Jemma Smith, a former back-to-back world champion.

Smith opted for a shallower route closer to shore and came away with the victory, while Bester led a group of South Africans who took a deeper line. The South African contingent still made its mark, with five more paddlers finishing in the top ten: Jade Wilson was fourth, Michelle Burn fifth, Melanie Van Niekerk eighth, Saskia Hockly ninth and Georgia Singe tenth. Hockly and Singe also secured second and third places respectively in the under-23 category.

The men’s race followed a similar pattern, with Germany’s Gordan Harbrecht and France’s Pierre Vilella benefiting from their decision to paddle closer to shore. Australia’s defending champion Cory Hill finished third, with South African Hank McGregor just behind him in fourth. Eight South Africans placed in the top 15.

There was further success in Saturday’s mixed doubles events. Australian pair Jemma Smith and Hill claimed the senior title, with South African crews taking the next two places. Wilson and McGregor finished second, while Uli Hart and Singe came third. Bester and Kenny Rice narrowly missed the podium.

South Africa’s younger paddlers added more silverware. Holly Smith teamed up with Mocke to win the under-23 mixed doubles title, while Hanna Solomon and Vogt took gold in the junior mixed event. Isabella Strydom and Ryley Smith finished third in the junior category.

Other South African victories included Josh and Matt Fenn in the overall doubles race. McGregor won the men’s 45–49 age group, finishing fourth overall in the singles, while Burn claimed the women’s 40–44 age-group title after placing fifth overall. Daniel Malan and Simon Willmott also won the 130–139 age group in the doubles.

Although Bester’s bid for a third straight world title fell short, the depth of South African talent was clear across the different races and age groups. With six gold medals and the Nations Cup secured, Team SA left Spain with a major statement of its strength in canoe ocean racing.