| Event | 2026 Prescient Freedom Paddle |
| Course | Long Course — Around Robben Island |
| Category | Single Ski |
| Club | Strand Canoe Club / Maties Canoeing |
The Freedom Paddle had always seemed like one of the coolest events imaginable to me. The opportunity to paddle around Robben Island — a place with such deep historical significance as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held — already made the event feel special long before race day even arrived.
Beyond that, I had only ever heard good things about it. Being relatively new to the canoeing scene, I relied heavily on what more experienced paddlers around me had to say, and across the board the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone described the Freedom Paddle as one of those events you simply have to do: great racing, great atmosphere, great organisation, great photos, great goodie bags, and just an all-round incredible experience.
At that point I had been canoeing for around a year, having mostly started out paddling on the Maties dam, with some experience in the ocean back home in St Francis Bay. Still, with a hugely supportive group around me — especially Strand Canoe Club and Maties Canoeing — I slowly managed to piece everything together for the big day.
Race Day: Every Neuron Devoted
Naturally, race day itself was where things suddenly became very real. I was paddling a single ski and the moment I got out onto the water I became very aware of the level of focus the race demanded. Every bit of forward movement also has to be balanced with stability, awareness, and control.
I felt like every single neuron in my brain was devoted to staying upright and keeping the nose of the ski pointed forward.
The second you relaxed too much or started feeling comfortable, the ocean reminded you very quickly that you were not in control. A different side wave, a different angle, a missed brace, and suddenly you were fighting to regain stability all over again. It put me into a level of presence that I do not think I have ever experienced before.
Simultaneously, I was aware of how beautiful the experience was. I saw two separate groups of dolphins during the paddle, countless birds overhead, and even had a seal swim right up to me on two occasions. There were jellyfish drifting below and, throughout all of it, the Cape Town shoreline was absolutely stunning.
The First Leg: Small Against the Ocean
The first leg of the race was by far the hardest for me. More than anything else, it reminded me of the power of the ocean and how unbelievably small it can make you feel. One moment I would be lifted up by the swell, the next dropped straight back down into the chop, with waves slapping the ski from different angles nonstop.
I remember realising that after this brutal first stretch, I still had roughly 60% of the race left to go, and that was honestly a daunting thought. At that point I genuinely questioned if I was going to finish. At the same time, however, there wasn’t exactly an easy way out of this one, and I decided the best plan was simply to keep putting the paddle back in the water. I figured if I wanted to go back to shore, I would have to do it myself, stroke after stroke after stroke.
Nose Forward
To keep myself composed, I remember repeating the same phrase in my head over and over again.
“Nose forward, nose forward.”
Matthew’s mantra for the entire race
It became the only thing that mattered. Look at the front of the boat. Keep moving forward. Everything else disappeared for a while. I was not thinking about university deadlines, not thinking about how far ahead the other paddlers were, not thinking about how much further there still was to go. All of that had to be shut out completely. It was just the ocean, the boat, and the next stroke.
An Adventure, Not Just a Race
That being said, I really have to give credit to the organisers and safety crews. Man enough to admit I was scared a lot of the time — however, I never felt panicked, I never truly felt unsafe. There was a visible and reassuring safety presence, especially around the back side of the island and again towards the finish.
The Freedom Paddle was less of a race to me and more like an adventure, and honestly, what an adventure it was. It was an unforgettable experience from start to finish, and I think the idea of “nose forward” is something I will carry with me long after the race itself. I can say that I will likely be back next year, with a little more fitness and experience behind me.
