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Canoe | Rene has Berg number 40 in sight

Chief event organiser Rene Boehm is aiming for his 40th finish at the Berg River Canoe Marathon

Rene Boehm is an exception to the rule that men cannot multitask. Having turned 70 in March this year, Boehm will climb into his canoe and tackle his 40th Berg River Canoe Marathon on July3-6 -- while he is also the event's main organiser.

It's the second year he has put his hand up for the task of planning the iconic four-day event, but as a paddler he has already definitely left his mark on the evnt. With a team behind him that can plan, assist and run matters while he is on the water, Boehm will be able to concentrate on achieving his milestone event.

"I did my first Berg in 1974 and have only missed 10 since thanks to national service in the navy in 1976, living overseas in Switzerland for three-and-a-half years and then moving to Pretoria for a while," he said. "Since 1999 though, I have never missed a Berg."

Growing up in the then South West Africa, Boehm paddled in the sea, in crude, handmade corrugated iron boats, keeping active and nurturing what would become a lifelong relationship with canoeing.

"I ended up in the navy for 40 years where I did plenty of paddling. On my first leave, I contacted my brother Edgar and said we should start canoeing, and for R55 we bought a boat, paddle and seat," said Boehm.

Edgar, Rene's older brother, is on the Berg River's Roll of Honour with 45 races to his name but sadly passed away a few years ago after 'not feeling well' one day, according to Rene.

Rene and Jannie Berg RiverLegends: Chief event organiser Rene Boehm (front) is aiming for his 40th finish at the Berg River Canoe Marathon but has a few to go to match Jannie Malherbe who has finished 50.

"I enjoy being active and it's a testament to Edgar's love for the sport that I keep on going year after year at the Berg. My best time was in 1978, on a low river, where I finished 35th overall. These days I prefer taking it slow, sure and steady as that's way more fun than winning," said Boehm.

Living in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, Boehm is a paddler who does not have the advantage of honing his skills on any rivers, practicing mainly at Century City and where he can find unpolluted waters.

"The Fish and Breede River Marathons are late in the year and after these events I devise my own training schedule, which includes some basic gym work at home. "Surfskiing is not an option as I am scared of sharks," he said. "The Berg is a singles only race and is not easy. It demands respect and proper preparation, no matter how many times a paddler takes on the challenge."

Indeed, a distance of 240km has to be conquered over four days and this year, the river is quite low but good enough to provide a decent race and formidable challenge to paddlers.

"There are a lot of tree blocks which means a bit of portaging but for me, my experience does become an advantage, although nothing can be taken for granted on the water," said Boehm. "Training consistently is vital and I manage to throw in some cycling as well to keep the bones and muscles strong."

Despite closing in on an important milestone of finishing his 40th Berg, Boehm's greatest highlights and memories are the years are when he completed the race with his grandchild, daughter and son, making it a real family affair.

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