Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle | 27.04.2025
Prescient Freedom Paddle
Embark on the Prescient Freedom Paddle, a thrilling 27 km race around the iconic Robben Island, celebrating freedom, endurance, and unity on Freedom Day. Open to all seaworthy, human-powered paddle craft, this annual event on Freedom Day offers an unforgettable experience against a stunning historical backdrop.
If 27 km feels like too much, a shorter 10 km course is available, making it accessible to paddlers of all levels. Whether you’re chasing a challenge or just seeking adventure, the Freedom Paddle has something for everyone!
IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR PRESENTING PARTNERS
Who can enter The Prescient Freedom Paddle?
All types of self powered craft are allowed.
This event is open to all human paddle powered craft that are seaworthy enough to complete the course. Get in touch if you would like to participate in the event but your discipline is not represented.
CONTACT US
Steps to be eligible for the Prescient Freedom Paddle
Do you have what it takes to tame the stormy oceans around Robben Island? Do you want to push yourself and find out where your limits are? This is a significant challenge so a few steps are required to prove your competence.
1
Learn to paddle your chosen craft
Join a local paddling club and become open ocean proficient.
2
Become a registered paddler
Register with your local provincial canoe union and register with Canoeing South Africa. You will need to achieve “Open Ocean Proficiency”
3
Enter The Freedom Paddle
Once you are experienced and fit enough, enter The Prescient Freedom Paddle.
4
Rise to the challenge
Arrive on race day and enjoy an amazing day of paddling.
What happens in case of Fog?
Fog is always a risk at this time of year on Table Bay. We strongly recommend (can we insist?) that you load the race way points to your GPS enabled device. Navigational way points can be found here.
If there is fog before the start of the race
- At 6 am, via the race Whatsapp group, we will notify you if the race is going ahead on schedule or if there has been a fog delay.
- If there is a fog delay, stay at home. DO NOT COME TO THE RACE VENUE.
- The next update will be at 8.30 am. Each update will be done at 2 hour intervals.
- We will give you a minimum of 2hrs notice to get to the start of the race.
- Â The latest the race can start will be 2.30pm.
If fog forms during the race
Fog mid race is a serious safety hazard. If you have ever paddled in fog, you know how incredibly disorientating it is. No matter how well you know the area, or how well you can read the sea, you will get lost. Perhaps the biggest risk is being run down by commercial traffic in Table Bay. To reduce the risk and get everyone home as safer as possible please follow these steps.
- Be aware of the weather. If you see fog forming, take stock of your surroundings, and make smart decisions. The water is ice cold, and the air temperature will drop. Hypothermia is a real risk. Staying safe and getting home safely is far more important than a race result.
- If the race safety officer decides to halt racing, the on water safety boats will sound a horn – 3 short blasts, then 3 long blasts. This pattern will be sounded repeatedly.
- Immediately stop racing and group together with the fellow paddlers around you.
- If you are alone, use your race issued whistle to attract attention.
- If you hear a whistle, answer with your whistle and navigate towards one another.
- Once you have formed a group return to the start by the shortest route possible.
- Use a GPS enabled device, loaded with course way points to navigate home. The google maps app of your phone works very well.
What happens if the event is cancelled?
If the event is forced to be cancelled 2 months before the planned date, then paddlers will have the option of a refund or transferring their entry to the new date. If the race is cancelled with 2 months of the planned date, paddlers will be able to transfer their entry to the new date. The race organisers will also do their best to offer a full or partial refund dependent upon the expenses already incurred in staging the event. If the conditions on the day force a cancellation then there will no refund or entry transfer. Ocean paddling takes place in an uncontrolled environment and the risk of bad weather cancelling the event is part of the sport.
Is there a window period?
No. Window periods incur substantial additional costs. The venue and staff all need to be booked and paid for, for the entire window period. To have a window period would require a substantial increase in the entry fee.
Will the race be made into a downwind if windy?
No. Our permit is for the specific course. We are not allowed to move the event to another location.
Do I need to be CSA registered?
For the main 27km and 15km courses, yes, if your discipline is governed by CSA. You will need to be a member of a recognised club, a member of your local union and have a full racing CSA license. You will also need to be “open ocean” proficient as per CSA rules. Speak to your club’s safety officer. 8km course participants can enter with either a CSA social license, Â be a member of Life Saving South Africa or be a customer of pre- authenticated commercial tour operator.
What happens if I enter but cannot make it on race day?
You can transfer or sell your entry to someone else. Please follow the instructions under the “Entry Transfer” section of the website.
I want to paddle doubles but I don't have a partner yet?
All entries are done as individual entries. This is so you can enter the event with out having to secure a partner. Â On April 1st we will open a system whereby those paddling with partners will be able to team up, provided their partner/s have entered.
Is this a race just for surfskis?
Not at all. Any paddle powered craft that is sea worthy enough to complete the race course in a reasonable amount of time is eligible. The race organisers reserve the right to decide what craft will be allowed to enter and compete on the day.
Start & Finish at the Oceana Power Boat Club.
The Slab: Waves explode on this shallow reef with violence. It’s a very dangerous break but very easy to spot. Stay well out to sea of it to be safe.
Madiba lefts: Watch out for large waves along the entire wild side of the island. There are deep reefs that could break outside your line on very large days.
Northern Tip: This is the northern most tip. From here you start your trip home. This is also where you need to look sharp as the surf comes into play for the first time.
Harbour Entrance: This is the 12 km mark – watch out for kelp and harbour traffic!
Whale Rock: This shallow reef is not on the course. The surf breaks hard and over a large area here so stay away. The racing line will keep you far away, so there is no need to be any where near this reef.
Navigating the 27km Long Course
The Prescient Freedom Paddle entails quite a few navigational challenges. There are 2 open ocean crossings of 10km each, as you cross from the mainland to the island and back again. Having the correct line can save hundreds of meters.
There is a real risk of fog mid-race, in which case knowing how to navigate using your GPS enabled device is critical for your personal safety.
Here are the key waypoints to prgm into your device.
Start /Finish:
-33.900976
18.416206
Harbour Bouy:
-33.835229
18.387449
Old Robben Island jetty:
-33.812394
18.383908
The Slab:
-33.816361
18.358706
Mandela's lefts:
-33.798924
18.352676
Robben Island Northernmost pt:
-33.788349
18.366366
Robben Island Harbour wall:
-33.798335
18.380271
Route files for Download
Here the files that you should be able to upload to your GPS enabled watch. The exact steps will vary from brand to brand.
For owners of a Suunto device here is the direct link for the route that can be synched via MOVESCOUNT.
Start & Finish at the Oceana Power Boat Club.
Start settling into your groove after a high speed start
At the end of the harbour wall, turn left around a buoy, head direct to a big yellow buoy, just off the Thermos wreck in front of the Radisson Hotel. This is the start of the long leg.
At the wreck turn left around the buoy and head back to the start to begin your second lap. Watch out for the kelp. It can tangle in your rudder and slow you down
The 10km Short Course
2 x 5km laps right in front of Oceana to maximise spectator value and keep the racing nice and tight. The biggest change to note from years prior is the start line will be perpendicular to the start line set for the long course. Please note that the route shown above is our preferred route but this is sibject to change due to weather conditions.
Freedom Paddle Prize Money
Prize money is simple. The main race is surfski doubles and is the only discipline for which prize money will be awarded.
For a category to qualify for prize money there needs to be 5 or more teams participating. If there are 3 teams in a category then only 1st place prize money will awarded. If there are less than 3 teams, then the category does not qualify for prize money.
THE WINNING MEN'S AND WOMENS TEAMS WILL EACH WIN
R20 000
R5000 for 2nd place
R3000 for 3rd place
THE WINNING MIXED DOUBLE TEAMS WILL EACH WIN
R10 000
R3000 for 2nd place
R1500 for 3rd place
PRIZE MONEY WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO EACH AGE CATEGORY
R1000 for 1st placed team
R800 for the 2nd placed team
R600 for the 3rd placed team
Paddling for a cause
The Prescient Freedom Paddle goes beyond the thrill of racing, it’s about making a difference. The event highlights important causes, uniting paddlers and supporters to give back. By rallying behind charities and initiatives close to the heart of the paddling community, the Freedom Paddle transforms a competitive race into a platform for meaningful impact. It’s not just about navigating the waters, it’s about navigating a path toward positive change.
