Velddrif
Encyclopedia
Velddrif or Velddrift is a coastal fishing town in the Bergrivier Local Municipality
, Western Cape
, South Africa
. It is located on the estuary where the Berg River
flows into St. Helena Bay.
, and is connected to Cape Town by the R27 road.
The R27 joins the R399 at Velddrif. It is situated near the point that the meandering Berg River
flows into the sea at St. Helena Bay. This estuary is an important bird habitat, home to around 30,000 birds, including up to 80 species which are endemic to the Cape coast. Flowers grow in this area, including the Euclea racemosa
(Kersbos), Babiana ringens (Rotstert), Willdenowia incurvata (Sonkwas Riet), Limonium (Strandroos) and Leucospermum rodolentum (Sandveld Luisebos). Regular boat trips can be taken up the river to view birds.
, which comprises 100 hectares and has 3.5 km of waterways. There are numerous restaurants in Velddrif and nearby Laaiplek which serve fresh fish and other seafood. The town attracts a number of tourists, especially for its wildlife, fishing, yachting and its West Coast Gallery, which represents the work of over 100 artists and craftsmen in the area. A holiday resort has grown up around the marina area of Port Owen.
The annual Berg River Canoe Marathon
which starts in Paarl
ends at the Carinus Bridge in Velddrif. The first Berg River Canoe Marathon was held in 1962, and has gained a reputation for being one of the toughest courses in the world, also being the longest course in South Africa.
Bergrivier Local Municipality
Bergrivier Municipality is a local municipality located within the West Coast District Municipality, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Piketberg is the seat of the municipality. As of 2007, it had a population of 44,741. Its municipality code is WC013.- Government :The mayor of the...
, Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is located on the estuary where the Berg River
Berg River
The Berg River is a river located just north of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is approximately 294 km long with a catchment area of 7,715 km² and outlets into the Atlantic Ocean. About 65% of the Berg River area is under agriculture...
flows into St. Helena Bay.
Geography and environment
Velddrif is located approximately 145 kilometres (90.1 mi) north of Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, and is connected to Cape Town by the R27 road.
The R27 joins the R399 at Velddrif. It is situated near the point that the meandering Berg River
Berg River
The Berg River is a river located just north of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is approximately 294 km long with a catchment area of 7,715 km² and outlets into the Atlantic Ocean. About 65% of the Berg River area is under agriculture...
flows into the sea at St. Helena Bay. This estuary is an important bird habitat, home to around 30,000 birds, including up to 80 species which are endemic to the Cape coast. Flowers grow in this area, including the Euclea racemosa
Euclea racemosa
Euclea racemosa is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is indigenous to the coastal areas of South Africa....
(Kersbos), Babiana ringens (Rotstert), Willdenowia incurvata (Sonkwas Riet), Limonium (Strandroos) and Leucospermum rodolentum (Sandveld Luisebos). Regular boat trips can be taken up the river to view birds.
History
The name Velddrif is derived from a local farmer, Theunis Smit, who took his stock through a drift in the field , to find grazing across the river. In 1899, a pont was built to cross the Berg River.Economy
The fishing industry is substantial in Velddrif; the town is part of the Crayfish Route. A common scene in the area is the rickety wooden jetties with the dried fish speciality, Bokkoms hung up the dry. The town contains Port OwenPort Owen
Port Owen is a marina in the town of Velddrif, 145 km from Cape Town on the West Coast of the Cape Province of South Africa.It comprises 100 hectares and has 3.5 km of waterways. The marina is surrounded on three sides by the Great Berg River and is one kilometre from the harbour mouth where the...
, which comprises 100 hectares and has 3.5 km of waterways. There are numerous restaurants in Velddrif and nearby Laaiplek which serve fresh fish and other seafood. The town attracts a number of tourists, especially for its wildlife, fishing, yachting and its West Coast Gallery, which represents the work of over 100 artists and craftsmen in the area. A holiday resort has grown up around the marina area of Port Owen.
The annual Berg River Canoe Marathon
Berg River Canoe Marathon
The Berg River Canoe Marathon takes place annually in South Africa's Western Cape Province over a distance of some 240km from Paarl to the small harbour of Velddrif on the West Coast. The two other notable South African canoe races are the Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Fish River Canoe Marathon. ...
which starts in Paarl
Paarl
Paarl is a town with 191,013 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its the third oldest European settlement in the Republic of South Africa and the largest town in the Cape Winelands. Due to the growth of the Mbekweni township, it is now a de facto urban unit with Wellington...
ends at the Carinus Bridge in Velddrif. The first Berg River Canoe Marathon was held in 1962, and has gained a reputation for being one of the toughest courses in the world, also being the longest course in South Africa.