South African Paddlers Make Their Mark at World Championships

Photo Credit: Paddle Worldwide/ PSA

Hamish Lovemore and Keegan Vogt claimed world titles in Argentina, while further podium finishes from South African paddlers added to an impressive championship campaign.

Gualeguaychú, Argentina (26 October 2026) – South Africa’s canoe marathon team had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Canoe Marathon World Championships in Argentina, with experienced international campaigner Hamish Lovemore and rising schoolboy star Keegan Vogt both striking gold.

The pair delivered their victories in the men’s senior and junior short-course K1 finals on Friday, giving South Africa a memorable double on the second day of competition.

Lovemore’s win was particularly significant. After collecting eight silver medals at international events over the previous three years, the KwaZulu-Natal paddler finally claimed another major title.

The race came down to a dramatic sprint against Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta and Denmark’s Mads Pedersen. After the leading trio battled throughout the three-lap course, Lovemore produced a powerful finish to take gold.

“I had a solid race from the start,” he said afterwards. “I’ve had eight silver medals from various international events over the last three years so nice to get on the top step for a change.”

Vogt, meanwhile, produced a commanding performance in the junior men’s short-course race. The Maritzburg College schoolboy broke away early and held off his challengers to finish 13 seconds ahead of Hungary’s Armin Palinkas, with Portugal’s Martim Conceição taking bronze.

Vogt continued his strong showing by adding a silver medal in the junior men’s long-course event on Saturday. South African paddler Ulvard Hart also claimed silver in the senior men’s long course after a determined race against Pedersen, who secured his fourth consecutive world title in the event.

Georgia Singe added to the team’s medal tally with bronze in the women’s under-23 long-course race. Singe and Jade Wilson then teamed up to claim bronze in the senior women’s K2, according to the team’s competition update.

The championship campaign included both breakthrough performances and tough finishes. Lovemore, despite his short-course triumph, finished ninth in the senior men’s long-course race, while other South Africans also faced strong international competition.

For Vogt, who is still at school, the medals mark an encouraging step in his development. For Lovemore, the gold represents a reward for years of perseverance on the international circuit.

Together, their performances offered a reminder of the talent emerging in South African paddling and the promise of what these athletes could achieve in the years ahead.