A weekend South Africa’s canoe stars had circled on their calendars, finally arrived, and emotions ran high on home waters in Durban.
Durban, South Africa (21 October 2025) – South Africa’s canoe stars made their home waters proud at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban over the weekend. A weekend that many of these paddlers were looking forward to. The stars made their home waters proud, where youth and heart powered an unforgettable weekend of racing.
Leading the pack was 23-year-old Kira Bester from Cape Town, who delivered an emotional and hard-fought victory in the 34km women’s race from the Durban Undersea Club to Westbrook. After crossing the finish line, Kira pointed at the sky, a touching tribute to her late coach and mentor, Pete Cole, who passed away earlier this year. Her win set off celebrations across the South African paddling community, marking another career milestone for one of the country’s brightest young talents.
While South Africa did not dominate the medal tables as expected, the spirit of competition and the country’s strong presence were felt throughout.
The women’s race came down to the wire, with Kira holding off a fierce challenge from New Zealand’s Danielle Richards to claim victory by just 23 seconds. Great Britain’s Rosie Edwards secured third place overall, also taking the U23 crown, while Frenchwoman Judit Verges rounded out the top five.
In the men’s race, it was experience that prevailed as 36-year-old Australian Cory Hill captured his fourth world title, edging out Frenchman Pierre Vilella and Portugal’s Bernardo Pereira in a tight finish. South Africa’s Nic Notten, a former world champion, produced a strong showing to secure a top-five place, underscoring the depth of local talent.
Beyond the elite fields, South Africa’s young paddlers also made a splash. Sam Mocke successfully defended his junior men’s title, keeping the nation on the podium once again, while Ellen Strydom powered her way to a second-place finish in the junior women’s race.
Though traditional powerhouses South Africa and Australia didn’t sweep the board this year, their performances (especially Kira’s emotional triumph) reflected the dedication and resilience that continue to define the sport. Competitors were from Europe, the Pacific, and Africa, all sharing the podium. Durban’s championship showcased a truly global celebration of ocean racing.
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