South Arican Surfski champion, Kira Bester, has made history by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Mox Dragon Run in Hong Kong four times, claiming her fourth consecutive title on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
The international ocean paddling event attracts some of the world’s leading surfski athletes. Challenging Conditions, strong winds and safety restrictions forced the organisers to modify the traditional course. Starting at Tai Tam, paddlers faced a challenging 6 km headwind section towards Kissing Whales before enjoying exciting downwind conditions along Hong Kong Island’s southern coastline, finishing at the Victoria Recreation Club in Deep Water Bay. Bester described the downwind conditions as beautiful, feeling strong and comfortable as she broke away from her competitors. The final stretch proved challenging, with large sailing boats weaving between paddlers and a tough headwind to the finish. Despite the challenges, Bester praised the well-organised event.
South African paddlers delivered an impressive performance, claiming four of the six podium positions across the men’s and women’s open surfski divisions.
Women’s Open Surfski – Top Five
1. Kira Bester – South Africa
2. Melanie van Niekerk – South Africa
3. Rosie Edwards – Great Britain
4. Winnie Wong – Hong Kong
5. Megumi Konno – Japan
Men’s Open Surfski – Top Five
1. Cory Hill – Australia
2. Matthew Fenn – South Africa
3. Bernardo Leça Pereira – Portugal
4. Joshua Fenn – South Africa
5. Dylan Askew – Australia
A Remarkable Year for Bester
Bester has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, starting with victory alongside Melanie van Niekerk at the Prescient Freedom Paddle around Robben Island in April, followed by a win at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup in Madeira, Portugal, in May. She went on to claim the women’s K1 title at the South African Flatwater Marathon Championships in Cape town, before securing silver at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Villajoyosa, Spain, in October.
Following her Hong Kong victory, Bester heads to Perth, Australia, for the prestigious Shaw and Partners Perth Doctor ocean race, before returning home to compete at the Lifesaving World Championships in Gqeberha. She will conclude her season at the Cape Point Challenge in December.
Beyond her racing achievements, Kira has also enjoyed a successful year of coaching, both locally and internationally, hosting training camps and clinics in Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, England, Spain and South Africa. Through these opportunities, she continues to inspire and mentor paddlers of all ages and abilities, sharing her passion and expertise while growing her international coaching career.
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