Paddling near Bloemfontein, Free State

Bloemfontein sits in the heart of the Free State, a landlocked plateau province of wide plains and seasonal rivers. Paddling here centres on flatwater dams and the broader Free State river network, with the Bloemfontein Canoe Club affiliated to the Central Districts Canoe Union (CDCU) — the regional body that also covers the Northern Cape and North West. The CDCU's domestic season builds toward major long-distance races, with the two-day Orange River Marathon as its flagship event.