Emotions ran high throughout a dramatic 2025 International Canoe Federation season. In the fifth of our moments of the year, South Africa’s Kira Bester delivered not just a world title for herself, but a deeply meaningful one for someone very special to her.
Pointing to her ORKA cap and then to the sky, it was clear that there was one person on Kira Bester’s mind when she crossed the finish line in Durban.
In December last year, South Africa’s paddle sport community was rocked by the sudden passing of Peter Cole.
Cole was an influential figure within the sport having been a top-level paddler, highly-respected coach and administrator, setting up ORKA Paddles.
He was not only a coach but a father figure to Bester who is part of his ORKA Squad and had played a key role in her rise to become world champion.
Coming into the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships as the women’s surfski title holder and as the home favourite, there was plenty of pressure on Bester’s shoulders.
But Bester stepped up to the plate, delivering a performance that would have left Cole beaming from ear to ear.
“Peter was my coach, but he was more than just a coach to his training squad,” said Bester.
“The squad was like a family and he built that family, so yeah, he was like a father to us.
“He was definitely my mentor and he will always be for the rest of my life. His ethos is in every single one of his athletes.”
Bester battled it out with New Zealand’s Danielle Richards before taking the victory as she secured her second successive world title.
"Winning on home ground (South Africa) felt incredibly special,” Bester told Eyewitness News.
“It’s one thing to race for yourself, but it’s another to race with the whole coastline, the whole community, and the people who raised you right there.
“The feeling wasn’t just pride, it was relief, gratitude, and a kind of joy that’s hard to explain."
One month later, Bester tasted victory again as she clinched gold at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup in Reunion, France.
It was another reminder of Bester’s brilliance as she continues to deliver her best on the biggest stage.
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