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2014 Poor Knights Crossing - NZ Surfski Race With a Difference

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The Poor Knights Islands: 'Tapu' or Sacred to the local peoples, and the start of New Zealand's newest blue water downwind race!

Poor Knights Island - the site of the infamous 1820 Maori massacre, where the Hikitu people attacked, killed or enslaved all but 10 of the local Ngatiwhai hapu island inhabitants, in retribution for refusing them permission to land their wakas, or canoes, 12 years earlier after paddling 320 km's around the top of New Zealand's North Island, to purchase some pigs. According to local missionary, King, the Hikitu warriors, taking advantage of the fact that most of the island's men were away fighting down south, ”fed like vultures on the dead and returned home laden with slaves and the flesh of men”. Sound like an auspicious start line for one hell of an inaugural surfski-race? You betchya!

True Bluewater Downwind Race?

Colourful local paddler Tim Eves, ex-New Zealand Herald sports journa, has been talking this one up for some time, but it appears he has really lined this race up well: Designed to run a week before the local and international paddlers head over to Tahiti for the Mara'amu World Series Surfski Event, this race is one of the banner events of the Tutukaka Winter Festival, a three week celebration hosted at the coastal settlement.  The race happens to be on the same day as the Tutukaka Boutique Beer Festival as part of the celebrations with racers getting free entry to the beer festival on the same day. 

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Rikoriko Cave

(Above) The Rikoriko Cave, largest sea-cave in the Southern Hemisphere, and the start-line for 'The Rikoriko Downwinder' course if the hoped-for NE blows!

The Kiwi paddler's growing appetite for open ocean downwind racing in New Zealand waters has another tasty addition to the calendar with the advent of this race: a true blue water event; The Poor Knights Crossing 30km race to be staged off the coast to New Zealand's wild Northland coast on August 30th, 2014. Sponsored by Strongarm, Power in the Water and Moana Nui, the event is starting at the Poor Knights marine reserve 24km off the east coast and finishing inside the Tutukaka Harbour, has already piqued the interest of many of the best open ocean paddlers in the country.
 
The first race specifically designed for all three of the major paddling disciplines, surf ski, waka ama and stand up paddling (SUP), has many intriguing features including a start line inside the Rikoriko sea cave, a course that includes  quick navigation through a natural rock archway and an all out dash for the mainland across 24km of open ocean back to the mainland. 

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Tutukaka

(Above) The famous Tutukaka Harbour, and finish line for most of the courses. Every-time I have paddled into this inlet I have been lucky enough to see some large, finned sea life keeping guard. The wildness and beauty of these waters is phenominal!

Race Details

Race director Tim Eves, a keen surf ski paddler and multisporter, had long believed a race from the Poor Knights Islands to Tutukaka Harbour could be a successful evet. The chance to paddle inside a world renowned marine reserve and the challenge of a downwind dash across what can be a very moody piece of water were two classic ingredients.
 
"It is a very special place at the Poor Knights Islands, significant these days for the fact that it is a 'no take' reserve with an amazing marine ecosystem, but notable also for its history with the tangata whenua." Tim said.

"It has a brutal history of occupation but now holds special status with everyone in Northland and beyond, now that it has marine reserve status. Paddling there is a privilege for a start, then comes the challenge of making it safely back to Tutukaka."

Paddlers will be ferried out to the startline by Dive! Tutukaka and escorted home by the seven boats in the Dive! Tutukaka fleet.
 
All paddlers will be vetted before entry is accepted, with evidence of open ocean paddling a requirement for registration.  Paddlers can submit their names for registration by emailing poorknightscrossing@gmail.com.

The event has four different course options to ensure a majority of downwind racing , but all efforts will be made to stage the race over the preferred Poor Knights to Tutukaka course.

Event details can be found on the Pacific Ocean Paddlers website, or check out the events calendar at the NZ official Waka-Ama website.

 

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Durban Downwind? Not so much - but hectic racing expected

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Jasper Mocke

Durban – A star studded field has assembled in Durban ahead of this weekend's inaugural FNB Mazars Durban Downwind surfski race, which doubles as the 2014 South African Surfski Championships, and all are anxiously looking to Mother Nature to see what weather and ocean conditions she will serve them.

Dismal Weather Forecast

The consistent winds that have blown throughout the week leading up to the national clash look set to all but disappear come Saturday morning and a long hard slog from Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach to La Mercy on KZN's North Coast looks likely.

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windguru

Windguru - every race organiser's nightmare!

Star Field

Should these predicted conditions unfold, defending World and National Champ Sean Rice (Think Kayaks) will look to draw on his pitbull-like fighting spirit to retain the title he clinched in East London last year.

He will however have to overcome the major threat local stars Epic Kayaks/Team Jeep's Hank McGregor, Epic Kayaks' Matthew Bouman and Epic Kayaks/Team Jeep's Grant van der Walt pose as well as Rice's fellow Western Cape title hopefuls Dawid and Jasper Mocké (Fenn Kayaks).

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Hank McGregor

Hank McGregor - local favourite

Rice's younger brother Kenny (Think Kayaks) may also secretly have one eye on a first senior podium finish having shown significant progress and development in recent times.

The women's clash is set to be one of a 'experience vs. youth' nature as Fish Hoek's Nikki Mocké goes head to head with Western Cape junior Kirsten Flanagan, KZN's under-23 shining star Jenna Ward (Fenn Kayaks) and former Eastern Cape resident now living in Durban, Nikki Russell (Fenn Kayaks).

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Kirsten Flanagan

Kirsten Flanagan

Coastal Challenge Legend

Aside from the racing snakes at the front of the field, many of the sport's past legends and characters are set to line-up on Saturday morning too with numerous paddling enthusiasts eagerly awaiting to see whether Clyde 'Skinny Cappuccino' Barendse will be one of these such characters.

The Western Cape resident completed the remarkable feat of paddling from Cape Town to Durban on Thursday evening and, in so doing, won the Lettie Paddle Coastal Challenge as he crossed the line ahead of runner Steve Black.

Despite his incredible effort, the surfski fraternity's rumour mill has uttered various whispers of the paddling sensation still keen to add the Durban Downwind to his list of recent paddling achievements.

2011 World Cup 

Editor: The last time I paddled in Durban was in the 2011 Dunlop World Cup, where we also had calm conditions accompanied by a big rolling ocean swell, that smashed into the beach at La Mercy!  Here are some pics taken at the finish on that occasion:

{gallery}2011/06/WCPics/now-you-see-him{/gallery}

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And here's my own inglorious finish:

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Click here for more carnage shots and the story of that race.

Doubles Champs

Saturday's singles showdown will be closely followed by the SA S2 (doubles) Surfski Championships on Sunday with the weekend's action also playing host to the 2014 KZN & Gauteng Surfski Championships.

The 2014 FNB Mazars Durban Downwind, which doubles as the 2014 SA Surfski Championships, takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. More info can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za

 

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Michael Booth Untouchable at Gatorade Clash of the Paddles

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Michael Booth (1st) and Jeremy Cotter (2nd)

Rising star Michael Booth of the Gold Coast almost pulled off a complete sweep at the 2014 Gatorade Clash of the Paddles on Hamilton Island at the weekend. With ski events held over 3km, 7km, a 25km downwind course and an Eliminator sprint race, a quality field and serious cash on offer; it was expected that the spoils would be shared. But the hungry Booth proved almost untouchable over the course of the weekend, taking the overall honours in all events bar the lucrative Eliminator sprint race – where he still finished second!

Must-do event

The 25km downwind paddle shapes as becoming a must-do event on every paddlers bucket list.

Competitors congregate on the Hamilton Island transport vessel “Sampson” and steam their way south to Lindeman Island and disembark at the presently unoccupied Island resort. Competitors then have an uninterrupted downwind run back to Hamilton Island. Race Director; Phil Clayton of surf ironman fame, has developed the event over the last couple of years and the quality of the race, and the field, continue to grow.

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Clash of the Paddles

Star-studded field

Four-time Olympian Clint Robinson and ocean racing guru Dean Gardiner headlined the field that also included ski stars Booth, Jonathon Crowe, Jeremy Cotter, Nathan Meyer and Peter Scott.

Robinson went past and away from early leader Cotter 6km into the race with Booth also scooting through at that point; but he was unable to hold Robinsons wake.

Cotter then chose to sit on Booth who opted for a tighter line than Robinson who bore slightly east in the hope of picking up longer runs on the decent swell. 

As the time came for the left hand turn past Perseverance Island and homeward, it became apparent that the assistance gained by Robinson wasn’t enough to cover the distance saved by Booth and Cotter on the more westerly line and the chase for Robinson began anew.  

But the top end speed of Booth, proven over the 3km and 7km events earlier in the regatta, saw him hold off the challenge of both Cotter and Robinson to take the title.

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Booth powering to another win at Hamilton Island

Boothy - powering to take the win

Women's Division

The 66-strong field came in all within a 70minute time frame, with Natasha Leaversuch leading home the Open Women’s division  from Wendy Reyntjes and Amanda Rankin.

The downwind marathon bought to an end the 4-day regatta which also included a novel Dash-for-Cash event which saw all the participants from the opening 3km ski race drafted into teams captained by the first six placegetters.

Dash-for-Cash and Eliminator

The following morning, the selected teams then competed over a spectator-friendly, lung-busting 500m course right off the Hamilton Island resort’s Catseye Beach. In a relay format each team member completed their leg before racing up the beach to tag the next teammate.

The concept proved a winner with fans and paddlers alike; with fans witnessing some fast-paced and tight racing whilst the everyday warriors got to rub shoulders with some of paddling royalty.

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Clash of the Paddles

Another unique aspect of the event was the invite-only Eliminator. Following the opening days of competition, a select field was chosen for an elimination format sprint series.

Starting with seven competitors, most of whom were in a heavy endurance training block, a 200m sprint was held into the beach.

The slowest 2 competitors were eliminated and following a short five minute break, a second race was staged; this time the field was further whittled down to three remaining competitors. Jeremy Cotter inflicted the only defeat for Booth over the weekend; jumping him at the start and holding Booth and veteran Novacastrian Peter Scott off over the sand to take home the major cash prize.

With exciting racing and assistance from event organisers including free transportation of craft to the Island courtesy of the freight service running up the Eastern seaboard, the Gatorade Clash of the Paddles on Hamilton Island should be your winter escape next June.

 

2014 RESULT SUMMARY 

ELIMINATOR

Male

Cat

Name (#)

1

Open

Jeremy Cotter (Gold Coast)

2

Open

Michael Booth (Gold Coast)

3

Open

Peter Scott (Newcastle)

25km Ski

Male

Cat

Name (#)

Time

1

Open

Michael BOOTH (81)

01:28:08

2

Open

Jeremy COTTER (36)

01:30:09

3

Open

Clint ROBINSON (69)

01:31:12

Female

   

1

Open

Natasha LEAVERSUCH (56)

01:52:34

2

Open

Wendy REYNTJES (67)

01:57:10

3

Open

Amanda RANKIN (8)

02:00:47

7km SKI

Male

Cat

Name (#)

Time

1

Open

Michael BOOTH (81)

00:23:23

2

Open

Jeremy COTTER (36)

00:23:32

3

Open

Cory HILL (52)

00:24:08

Female

Cat

Name (#)

Time

1

Open

Wendy REYNTJES (67)

00:28:38

2

Open

Natasha LEAVERSUCH (56)

00:28:50

3

Open

Amanda RANKIN (8)

00:29:02

3km SKI

Male

Cat

Name (#)

Time

1

Open

Michael BOOTH (30)

00:13:30

2

Open

Gregory TOBIN (75)

00:14:12

3

30-39

Dean LITTLE (15)

00:14:18

Female

Cat

Name (#)

Time

1

Open

Amanda RANKIN (8)

00:17:57

2

Open

Sharlene KELLY (3)

00:18:35

3

Open

Danielle MCMAHON (13)

00:18:38

 

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Dramatic wins for Mocke and Russell at SA Champs

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Jasper Mocke takes the gap (and his first SA Title)

Durban - The conditions may have been tame for much of the 26km opening day of the FNB Mazars Durban Downwind surfski race but the racing was action-packed and laden with drama as Jasper Mocké and Nicole Russell clinched their maiden men’s and women's South African Single (S1) Surfski Championship titles.

Massive Surf

With the hoped for downwind conditions not materializing on Saturday morning and flat open ocean conditions, a stiff headwind and massive 10 foot surf at the finish, developing instead it was a slog for all participants as they made their way from Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Durban's Addington Beach to La Mercy Beach on KZN's North coast. 

Having won his two national surfski titles in a double ski previously, Fenn Kayaks/Mocké Paddling Gear's Mocké clinched his maiden individual SA crown in dramatic fashion after race leader Hank McGregor (Epic Kayaks/Team Jeep) was thrown from his ski by the massive surf just metres from the finish line.

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Jasper Mocke

Jasper Mocke - "...didn't 'claim' the win"

"...felt for Hank"

"Obviously I felt for Hank and, out of respect for him, I didn't 'claim' the win when I crossed the line but at the same time the race is to the finish line and I managed to get there first and I'm just so stoked to have my first individual SA surfski title!" explained a visibly proud Mocké afterwards.

"Hank had led for most of the way but that was probably still one of my greatest paddles ever and to beat guys like Hank and Sean (Rice) in the shape they're in and in these conditions is something not many in the world would have been able to do so I’m really chuffed!”

Large Bunch

After a large bunch formed at the front of the men’s race in the first portion of the encounter which saw paddlers charge across Durban’s bay, it was McGregor who had opened up a decent lead by the time they headed around the point at Umhlanga with Mocké, Rice and van der Walt in hot pursuit.

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Front Bunch

Hank McGregor leads the bunch, early on in the race

McGregor’s lead had been halved by the time he and Mocké neared the finish however another major obstacle in the shape of the massive surf at La Mercy Beach still awaited. With Mocké breathing down his neck McGregor made the charge but a wave caught him from behind and tossed him from his ski, opening the door for a calm Mocké to surge into the lead and across the line first.

A disappointed McGregor came home just seconds later while 2013 SA Champ Sean Rice (Think Kayaks) rounded out the men’s podium. The ever-present figure of Epic Kayaks’ Matthew Bouman had a strong second half to finish fourth while van der Walt finished fifth.

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Hank McGregor

Back on his ski, McGregor makes his way to the finish in second place

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Sean Rice

Sean Rice in characteristic style powers in to take third

Kenny Rice (Think Kayaks) was the first under-23 across the line in seventh after he was narrowly out-sprinted up the beach by veteran Herman Chalupsky (Epic Kayaks) while a remarkable effort by grand-master competitor Lee McGregor, father of Hank, saw him close out the top 10.

Women's Race

The women’s race was a hard-fought affair as Fenn Kayaks’ Nicole Russell claimed the first ever national title of her career ahead of the Western Cape’s Nikki Mocké and rising KZN under-23 star Jenna Ward.

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Nikki Russell

Nikki Russell navigates the surf to win her first SA title

“That was my best paddle ever and I’m just so stoked to have won my first SA title,” said an ecstatic Russell.

“I had a poor start and I only managed to catch Nikki (Mocké) after three kilometers. Once I caught her though I was feeling really good and so I had to decide whether to look to breakaway on my own or sit there with Nikki. Eventually I decided I had to back myself and just go for it!

“It was a really tough grind, especially with the headwind. Fortunately Lee (McGregor) has been really drilling us so hard for both marathon racing and the Berg at the MacSquad and so I think these conditions actually played into my hands.

“With 5km to go I was shattered though but my main concern by then wasn’t actually the final few kilometers but more getting in through the surf!

“Fortunately I got through cleanly and then to run up the beach to finish ahead of a phenomenal paddle like Nikki is just such a special feeling!” she added.

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Nikki Mocke

Nikki Mocke took second in the women's race

Ward was the first under-23 woman across the line while Orka Squad’s Kirsten Flanagan claimed the spoils in the under-18 girls division.

With the event doubling as the 2014 SA S1 Surfski Champs, much of the focus was on the sharp end of the field however the event also played host to both the 2014 KZN and Gauteng Surfski Championships with provincial winners crowned across all age groups.

Photo Sets

Anna Clifford-Arwidi had a smashing time when she reached the bottom of this wave...  Never a good feeling to have carry bits of boat up the beach.  Respect!

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Not sure who this is, or whether the ski survived... but look at the size of that wave!

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Doubles tomorrow

Sunday sees the doubles (S2) racing take place with organiser Barry Lewin looking to take advantage of the light north-easterly breeze predicted by taking the paddlers south to Amanzimtoti from Marine SLC. The action gets underway at 13h00. More info can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za

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FNB Mazars Durban Downwind

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – FNB MAZARS DURBAN DOWNWIND

SA S1 SURFSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Overall

  1. Jasper Mocké 1:49.34
  2. Hank McGregor 1:49.49
  3. Sean Rice 1:50.58
  4. Matthew Bouman 1:52.24
  5. Grant van der Walt 1:54.49
  6. Dawid Mocké 1:56.12
  7. Herman Chalupsky 1:57.17
  8. Kenny Rice (U23) 1:57.20
  9. Steve Woods 1:57.50
  10. Lee McGregor 1:58.44
  11. Jean Luc Mauvis 2:00.00
  12. Hennie Roos 2:02.25
  13. Gene Prato (U23) 2:02.26
  14. Craig Flanagan (U23) 2:02.26
  15. Warren Valentine 2:02.52
  16. Richard Burn 2:02.58
  17. Peter Cole 2:03.10
  18. Stretch Struwig 2:03.51
  19. Jason Ekstrand 2:04.20
  20. Shanti Stewart 2:05.02

Women

  1. Nicole Russell 2:14.49
  2. Nikki Mocké 2:17.39
  3. Jenna Ward (U23) 2:24.37
  4. Kirsten Flanagan (U18) 2:33.08
  5. Lauren Felgate (U23) 2:40.11

Under 23 Men

  1. Kenny Rice 1:57.20
  2. Gene Prato 2:02.26
  3. Craig Flanagan 2:02.26

Under 23 Women

  1. Jenna Ward 2:24.37
  2. Kirsten Flanagan (U18) 2:33.08
  3. Lauren Felgate 2:40.11

Under 18 Men

  1. Mark Keeling (U16) 2:07.18
  2. Keagan Kok 2:09.17
  3. Jordan Clauson 2:10.49

Under 18 Women

  1. Kirsten Flanagan 2:33.08
  2. Kyeta Purchase (U16) 2:40.32

Under 16 Boys

  1. Mark Keeling 2:07.18
  2. Joshua Fenn 2:15.49
  3. Bailey de Fondaumiere 2:17.30

Under 16 Girls

  1. Kyeta Purchase 2:40.32
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Mockes Rule at SA Double Ski Champs

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Dawid and Jasper Mocke, winning the 2014 SA Double  Surfski Championships

Durban - Fish Hoek's renowned Mocké clan capped off a sublime family weekend's effort in KwaZulu-Natal by winning three of the four SA S2 Surfski Championship titles up for grabs at Sunday's second day of the inaugural FNB Mazars Durban Downwind surfski race.

Clean sweep for Jasper Mocke

With the national singles title already in his possession after a memorable paddle on Saturday, Jasper Mocké teamed up with older brother Dawid and the Fenn Kayaks/Mocké Paddling Gear pair clinched their fourth national title together before Dawid's wife, evergreen competitor Nikki Mocké, and Olympic bronze medalist Bridgitte Hartley won the women's race.

"Everything just came together for us today and it is especially nice to win with Daw (Mocké) again!" said Jasper. "To have won both titles this weekend is pretty special!"

"You might not see me as often these days but there's still a lot of fire power here," chuckled Dawid casually afterwards. "It was great to win with Jasper and it was really nice to be able to help him get his double this weekend!"

Course

A switch in the course direction from Saturday's action saw paddlers head south from Marine Surf Lifesaving Club to Amazimtoti and a solid start by the Mocké brothers put the rest of the field under pressure from the get go.

"We had a flying start, which I was really chuffed with and everyone but Hank (McGregor) and Grant (van der Walt) fell back straight away," explained Dawid.

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Dawid and Jasper Mocke

Dawid and Jasper Mocke with Hank McGregor and Grant vd Walt in close proximity near the start

"Once Hank and Grant got in front we tried to came back at them but every time we got close they'd push hard again, something Hank is really good at, and so I knew if we were going to look to lead the race then we'd have to put in a catch-and-pass move.

"We managed to link two or the runs together as we went past the old whaling station and got ourselves in front again but I'd expended most my energy by that stage so I then had to rely on Jasper to get us to the finish!"

Trailing their regular rivals and the finish line getting ever closer, McGregor and van der Walt rolled the dice for the last time as they switched to a deeper line in search of some wind and runs.

"When they saw they weren't going to catch us on the same line as us, Hank and Grant went really deep and we couldn't see them anymore. So we just looked to focus on our own race until we had to come in at Toti," said Jasper.

"I expected Hank to try something different and changing lines was really risky but he definitely had me worried for a while," added Dawid. "We managed the lead quite well though until we had to deal with the surf at Toti."

Surf

"It wasn't as bad as yesterday at La Mercy but the surf was still pretty tricky. When we saw we had a bit of a gap though we just stayed calm and played it a bit safer by ducking in through the surf at a bit of a gully a little way before the finish and then paddling along the shoreline," said Jasper.

Having had victory ripped from his grasp just meters from finish line in Saturday's singles race when he was thrown from his ski by a large wave, McGregor had to deal with his second disappointment of the weekend when the charging Rice brothers Sean and Kenny (both Think Kayaks) pipped he and van der Walt (both Epic Kayaks/Team Jeep) for second spot in the tightly contested doubles clash.

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Sean and Kenny Rice

Sean and Kenny Rice took second - one of three sets of brothers in the top five...

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Hank McGregor and Grant vd Walt

Hank McGregor and Grant vd Walt in third place

Matthew Bouman (Epic Kayaks) and Jean Luc Mauvis finished fourth before Daryl and Brett Bartho became the third brothers pairing to finish inside the top five.

Late Start

The women's race was one to remember for Nikki Mocké and Hartley, not only for their somewhat surprising victory given their unlikely pairing, but for the unconventional manner in which they achieved it too.

Hartley, a sporting icon after her London 2012 feat, narrowly avoided an eleventh hour withdrawal due to a freakishly sustained injury however her arrival just minutes before the start of the race saw the pair miss the start by almost a full minute.

"I had been racing segways at the Top Gear Festival earlier in the day where I had a crash with one of the guys from Crash Car Burn and injured my knee," explained the sprint sensation a little sheepishly. "That nearly saw me have to pull out of the surfski race altogether but I phoned Nikki and told her I would be there but that I was running late."

"I eventually got to Marine, we frantically got ready and as we headed for the start line we heard the starter's whistle go!

"Let's just say after our frantic first few kilometers the heart rate was already up nicely and there was no need for a warm up!" she laughed.

Mocké also recalled the chaos afterwards with a disbelieving chuckle. "I took whatever risks I possibly could and looked to cut every corners possible around the harbour wall to try make up some of the time we'd lost!"

"We then actually caught the other girls quite quickly but once they saw us coming they really pushed hard and so the racing for the next hour was super intense!"

The different technique required and the unique challenge of ocean paddling had Hartley battling in the closing stages of the clash before she was confronted with her major obstacle of the day right at the finish line - the surf.

"I gave it my all but I'm not sure just how good a partner I actually was for Nikki because it's such a different style of paddling and I just couldn't keep the stroke rate up for such a long period of time!" said Hartley.

"When Bridge was struggling we dropped off the pace a little and just looked to keep things going but this meant the others were able to close on us a bit and so we didn't have all that much of a lead coming in to the surf at the finish, added Mocké.

"I gave her a two minute run down of what to try do in the surf but she kept asking if we were meant to be where we were and if I was sure and I just kept saying 'Trust me, Bridge, trust me'," laughed Mocké afterwards.

And trust Mocké she did as the pair come home cleanly to clinch the women's title, Hartley's second national title in recent weeks and neither have been in her preferred sprint discipline.

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Nikki Mocke and Bridgette Hartley

"Trust me, Bridge, trust me!" - Nikki Mocke and Bridgette Hartley charge the beach to take first place

"I won the SA Marathon Champs a couple of weeks ago and now this so it's been a really cool couple of weeks trying some things that are a little different.

"I can't keep sprinting internationally for the next ten years so it's nice to know that when I decide to call it a day on my sprints in a couple of years' time, I can come home and keep paddling whether it be on the river, marathon or even surfski!" said Hartley.

Apart from her own success, the day's competition and tight racing also brought Mocké satisfaction.

"Nikki (Russell) really paddled well yesterday and deserved to win the singles title and then she and Jenna (Ward) really impressed me again today!

"Their run-catching technique was really good and they're going really well. It's great to see the younger girls coming through and doing so well. It keeps things nice and spicy and then there's always lots to talk about!"

Ward and Russell (Fenn Kayaks) eventually claimed second place while Wilma Deyzel and Maya Opperman clinched third.

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Nikki Russell and Jenna Ward

Nikki Russell and Jenna Ward - second

Sponsors Well Pleased

The day's doubles action brought down the curtain on the inaugural edition of the FNB Mazars Durban Downwind and organisers and sponsors alike were well pleased with the weekend's action.

"FNB's ongoing strategy is to support local and community events that show the potential to grow. We are firmly committed to supporting efforts to advance economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal. Our investment in the 2014 SA Surfski Champs is an extension of our commitment to this city and region. Congratulations to all the participants for making Durban a true sporting destination of global standard. Your commitment and dedication to this sport is truly remarkable," said Preggie Pillay, FNB KZN Provincial Head.

"Mazars' sponsorship of the Durban Downwind & 2014 SA Surfski Championships is in-line with our commitment to invest in remarkable people who do amazing things. Like competitive surfski, Mazars is fast growing in stature in South Africa and the firm is proud to be associated with a sport which embodies our own values. We are committed to navigating towards success and are delighted to be able to help the competitors strive for and achieve the same," said Mazars Durban Managing Director, Dave Bates.

More info can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za

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FNB Mazars Durban Downwind

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – FNB MAZARS DURBAN DOWNWIND

SA S2 SURFSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Overall

  1. Dawid Mocké/Jasper Mocké 1:47.55
  2. Sean Rice/Kenny Rice 1:48.50
  3. Hank McGregor/Grant van der Walt 1:51.04
  4. Matthew Bouman/Jean Luc Mauvis 1:52.11
  5. Daryl Bartho/Brett Bartho 1:52.21

Women

  1. Nikki Mocké/Bridgitte Hartley 2:07.04
  2. Nicole Russell/Jenna Ward 2:07.53
  3. Wilma Deyzel/Maya Opperman 2:43.18

Mixed

  1. Mark Lewin/Anna Clifford-Arwidi 2:12.59
  2. Ryan Atkins/Julie Cornelius 2:13.17
  3. Mike Borland/Tamerin Borland 2:38.26

Under 23 Men

  1. Jordan Clauson/Keagan Kok (U18) 2:02.58
  2. Anthony Lake/Gene Prato 2:03.56
  3. Travis Wilson/Tyler Wilson 2:04.51

Under 18 Men

  1. Jordan Clauson/Keagan Kok 2:02.58
  2. Tayne Thompson/Joshua Fenn (U16) 2:08.47
  3. Mark Keeling/Stuart Bristow 2:09.50

Under 16 Boys

  1. Tayne Thompson/Joshua Fenn 2:08.47
  2. Bailey de Fondaumeire/Luke Criticos 2:14.33
  3. Brett Wilken/Jarryd Gibson 2:30.48

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FNB Mazars Durban Downwind

 

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Super Competitive Field for Canadian Surfski Champs

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Sean Rice and Clint Robinson sprint for the finish

On 23 August, 2014, the inaugural Canadian Surfski Champs was held in coastal British Columbia, one week after the US Surfski Champs in San Francisco, attracting the top 8 finishers as well as Hank McGregor, who flew out from South Africa for the event.

The rest of the 100-strong field was of such caliber that it would prove more difficult to place in the top 20 than in San Fran the previous week! Perhaps the only 3 missing of the world’s fastest surfski paddlers who would stand a chance of reaching the podium in this race are Dawid Mocke, Tim Jacobs and Cory Hill. This made it one of the most competitive and significant races of the year.

The week leading up to the race had a superb array of clinics and lessons from the pros in Vancouver and Bellingham. There were some fun social events, which gave the Canadian paddlers a chance to meet and mix with the internationals.

The Course-Approx 22km

Squamish lies at the head of the fjord between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky highway, and proclaims itself to be Canada’s Adventure Capital. Downwinds are frequent during the summer with the prevalent high-pressure systems.

The race begins in Howe Sound at Porteau Cove, dashes into the channel for the Think hotspot and then turns right, down the 20km Sound. Rounding Watts point it crosses the turquoise glacial inflow of the Squamish River and ends in the Mamquam blind channel.

Challenges include significant tidal currents, choice of line in the wide channel, and of course the wind of the day.

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Watts Point and the Stawamus Chief

The scenery is truly stunning: this is Watts Point with the Stawamus Chief in the background

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Mamquam Blind Channel

The finish - on a calm day!

Pre Race interviews

Interviews with Oscar the Oracle, Jasper Mocke (current world series leader), Sean Rice (Current ICF World Champ and winner US Champs) and Australian ace Clint Robinson confirmed how grueling and closely contested this race would be.

Considering the surfski prowess and the fact that all the top contenders are also racing K1’s at elite level, it might come down to a sprint finish with the 6 fastest in the mix. New Dad Hank, (World marathon champ) wryly stated that he hoped to have a moment to pause and take in the magnificent mountains towering above the water.

And for anyone hoping to slip into the top ten, best not forget the laid back but speedy Norton Brothers from Tasmania and Michael Booth, who is winning races in Australia and competing in K1 sprints internationally.

Also Sean Rice’s younger brother Kenny’s momentum at 18 has been threatening the top seeds recently.

The women’s favourite was Michelle Eray (ICF world surfski champ) whose rudder failure in the US Champs led to her missing the podium. Epic’s Kristen Podelak (USA), Australian Georgia Laird and Heather Nelson (USA) would also be strong contenders with locals Linda Warren and Leanne Stanley likely to be the first Canadians.

The contenders for the Canadian men’s purse were Cory Hamilton and Wes Hammer (both with National sprint background), and expats Jan Malherbe and Gareth Tudor Jones.

The start

2 PM: Hot, 28°C. Wind 7 knots from behind and likely to pick up to 10+ knots towards the last one third of the race. Let the games begin!

The water start commenced between a cliff and a large buoy. Paddlers inched up to the line after the five-minute warning and at the one-minute countdown horn, the racehorse adrenaline blew and the surfskis launched off the line, paddles churning up the blue into froth.

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Start

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Start

Gentleman Clint Robinson paused for a moment, thinking the start would be recalled but the hammer was down and there was no choice but to chase the pack. Local Wes Hammer was neck and neck with the big guns for the first 300m before realizing he would blow a gasket at this 17kph pace.

Think hotspot

The pace to the 1.5km Think hotspot in the channel was brutal with max torque applied through these steely straining torsos. Sean Rice maintained the lead to pick up $1000, followed narrowly by Sam Norton and Kenny Rice.

Hank and Jasper rounded out the top five while Clint was still trying to claw his way back to the front "I'm not sure why at 42 I can't control my competitive nature, which leads to so much suffering in events like this".

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

Sean Rice, with Sam Norton and Jasper Mocke on his slip - on the way to the Think hotspot

Wes Hammer was the first Canadian around the Think hotspot and Michelle Eray was the first woman.

The channel

The racers made a sharp turn to the right and with the gathering breeze at their backs, picked their lines down the expanding channel. 10 minutes into the race Jasper broke left of the front pack, heading deep into the Sound. A bullish Mocke move with as yet unknown consequences. However he did do a downwind here two days ago and presumably has secured local knowledge.

10 to 15 minutes into the race Sam Norton was pulling the front pack with smooth precision followed by Hank on his slip, Kenny, Sean and now Clint who has worked hard to catch this bunch.

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Viviane-Nishikiori 8053

From left to right: Clint Robinson, Ken Rice, Sean Rice, Sam Norton, Hank McGregor

50 m behind were Michael Booth and Tom Norton followed by Tommy Woodriff and Mike Baker also from Australia. The first double, adjacent to this crew, was captained by Epic Oscar Chalupsky and local Bernard Le Roux.

The lead Canadian single at this point was Wes, but he was now being drafted by Corey Hamilton with Jan close on his heels. From 5 to 15 km into the race Wes and Jan traded places with Cory falling back and Gareth Tudor Jones and Shane Martin, paddling strongly, still in the running for the Canadian prize.

In the women's race Michelle was established in the lead followed by Georgia and Kristin in third place. Heather Nelson who is known to pull harder as the race progresses was not far behind.

Back to the front pack

35 minutes into the race Jasper was still 300m deeper into the channel to the left of the rest of the lead pack. He was approximately level in spite of the extra distance paddled and at 45 minutes was about 10m ahead and indicated to the media boat that he was "feeling strong". Would his gamble pay off?

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

Hank McGregor slips Clint Robinson

In the front pack now 350m to the right, Sean and Sam take turns pulling with Clint just behind in third place and Hank on his wash. Kenny was still doggedly on Hank's tail but the strain was showing. At this point the blistering pace of the top six has left the rest of the elite paddlers a few hundred meters behind. The work was hard, overtaking runners, maintaining position.  Sean informed me afterwards that it was “95% most of the race with a lot of red-lining!"

At this point the channel turns towards the pale towering peak of Diamond Head Massif which rears up like a distant beacon in front of the paddlers. The color of the water is spectacular where green salt meets icy azure glacial runoff.

As the elite group picked up more wind and runners rounding Watts Point, Clint, with his smooth hydraulic rotational drive took the lead, with Sam, Sean and Hank closely knit in a rough diamond.

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

McGregor leads, with Sean Rice and Clint Robinson on his slip

Usually by this point in the race I have watched these world class paddlers disappear like a mirage, wondering how it's possible to paddle so fast for so long. Right now it was a privilege to watch the form of these magnificent athletes from the media boat. Powerful, biomechanically orchestrated finesse, held together by an unwavering focus and mental resilience. They were moving at about 15kph at this point, three quarters of the way to the finish.

Kenny had fallen back approximately 50m and looking across the channel it was now clear that Jasper had run into some contrary water on that deep line and had definitely fallen back. On a line somewhere between Jasper and the main pack but 300m back Tom Norton and Michael Booth battled it out with Mike Baker and Mark Anderson 100m still further back.

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

The lead pack formed a diamond, working with each other.

The bittersweet end

As the wave runners took form Sean and Clint managed to link a few runs and break away from Hank and Sam. As they maintained their lead across the turquoise Squamish River flow, a plethora of multi-coloured kitesurfers streaked across the bay.

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

And then there were two - Sean Rice and Clint Robinson break away

The lead duo ducked into the 2km blind channel under the towering bulk of the Chief’s granite stare. Looking back, it appears that Sam had just dropped Hank, whose small rudder seemed insufficient for the conditions. In the Canadian duel, Wes pulled ahead of Jan using the wind waves to open up a gap of hundred meters before entering the Mamquam channel.

As we observed Clint hanging onto Sean’s wash in the protected channel 1.5 km before the finish with the wind still brisk from behind, their boat speed was approximately 18kph, according to media boat GPS. The question on my mind was, would Clint, gold medal Olympian sprinter but now a master, outsprint Sean? Sean is the current Surfski ICF World Champ and is also being groomed to represent South Africa in the 2016 Olympic sprint team.

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

Digging deep!

With 100m to go Sean dug deep into the "blurred vision zone" surging ahead for the line. Clint hung on until the bitter lactate limit with Sean reaching the finish only a boat length ahead. Phew!

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

Sean Rice claims it...

Only 100 m behind, Hank applied his formidable resolve to catch Sam Norton and the second heroic sprint finish unfolded with paddle bending power. Hank clinched third place a half boat length ahead of Sam. Jasper managed to consolidate 5th position after the deep line diversion.

Young Kenny Rice finished a worthy sixth, and Australian guns Tom Norton, Michael Baker, Tommy Woodruff and Mark Anderson rounded out the top 10.

First Canadian home was Wes Hammer, 16th overall, beating Jan Malherbe who finished 17th overall.

Women’s Race

Michelle Eray took the ladies race comfortably with Heather Nelson finishing strongly in second and Georgia Laird third.

Michelle's post race comments? "I thoroughly enjoyed the race-warm weather, cool water, great people and one of the most spectacular race venues anywhere in the world".

First double home was Oscar and Bernard, closely followed by Canada’s mixed double crew Jonas Hudson and Kathleen Petereit.  Leanne Stanley was the first Canadian woman home.

 

Post Race

Post race dinner, drinks and prize-giving was a Canadian classic of pulled pork, hand carved wooden plaque trophies and generous purses for the winners. The evening ended with a large contingent of paddlers heading to the Ruddy Duck bar in the part of town that looks like a Western movie set.

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2014 Canadian Surfski Champs

2014 Canadian Surfski Champs Podium:

(L-R) 4th Sam Norton (Aus), 2nd Clint Robinson (Aus), 1st Sean Rice (South Africa), 3rd Hank McGregor (South Africa), 5th Jasper Mocke (South Africa)

Humor flowed as freely as the beer and midnight saw Michael Booth dirty dancing with the local belles. Fortunately at this point your trusty reporter was terminated.

Thanks

Huge thanks to Bob Putnam and his team, local logistics guru Ian Lowe, all the volunteers, and the generous sponsorship of CMW making this one of the most memorable and competitive events of the year.

Daryl Remmler of Think Kayaks made great organizing contributions and Oscar and Greg of Epic kayaks were very supportive of the event with a strong team presence. With this kind of support and world class racing the event will only grow into the future.

Summary Results

(Click here for the full results)

Open 

 

PosNameClassAgeGenderTimeDifference
1Rice, Sean (South Africa)  Open25M1.21:41.6-
2Robinson, Clint (Australia) Master (40-49)42M1.21:50.5+0:08.9
3Mcgregor, Hank (South Africa)Open36M1.22:12.6+0:31.0
4Norton, Sam (Australia)Open29M1.22:14.2+0:32.6
5Mocke, Jasper (South Africa)Open29M1.24:09.2+2:27.6
6Rice, Ken (South Africa)18years and under18M1.24:40.5+2:58.9
7Norton, Tom (Australia)Open20M1.25:48.8+4:07.2
8Baker, Michael (Australia)Open28M1.26:04.5+4:22.9
9Woodriff, Tommy (Australia)Master (40-49)43M1.26:18.1+4:36.5
10Anderson, Mark (Australia)Open37M1.26:46.6+5:05.0
11Dolan, Pat (USA)Open35M1.27:00.0+5:18.4
12Kieffer, Austin (USA)Open25M1.27:50.3+6:08.7
13Jacobson, David (USA)Open35M1.29:06.3+7:24.7
14Leroux, Bernard/Oscar Chalupsky (Canada/South Africa)Double Ski (open)61M1.29:27.1+7:45.5
15Petereit, Kathleen/Hudson, Jonas (Canada)Double Ski (open)53F/M1.29:34.6+7:53.0
16Hammer, Wes (Canada)Open27M1.29:41.0+7:59.4
17Malherbe, Jan (Canada)Master (40-49)45M1.30:06.2+8:24.6
18Booth, Michael (Australia)Open23M1.30:26.5+8:44.9
19Sloss, Dane (Australia) Open33M1.31:05.4+9:23.8
20Johnson, Carter (USA)Open38M1.31:13.4+9:31.8

Women

 

PosNameClassAgeGenderTimeDifference
1Eray, Michele (South Africa)Open female35F1.37:33.2-
2Nelson, Heather (USA)Master female (40-49)42F1.40:36.1+03:02.9
3Laird, Georgia (Australia)Open female20F1.41:02.5+03:29.3
4Podolak, Kristen (USA)Open female35F1.41:25.7+03:52.5
5Stanley, Leanne (Canada)Open female33F1.46:43.8+09:10.6
6Warren, Linda (Canada)Master female (40-49)43F1.49:53.1+12:19.9
7Haycock, Vanessa (USA)Master female (40-49)46F1.50:19.0+12:45.8
8Wonham, Cynthia (Canada)Master female (40-49)41F1.52:22.2+14:49.0

 

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Auckland King & Queen Of The Harbour To Kick Off The 2015 Surfski World Series!

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Above: Dawid Mocke posts a convincing win in the 2014 King & Queen Of The Harbour, showing us why he has held the top spot on the world rankings for the preceding 4 years!

New Zealand’s National Ocean Racing Championship once again graces the Surfski World Series on the 7th March 2015, after a hiatus of a few years. International paddling greats have used this event to pick up some much sought after points in order to determine the best marathon distance surfski paddler in the world, and last year’s winner South African Dawid Mocke (3 X World Champion) was no exception. 

Humdinger of a Race...

This year we have visiting legends like Oscar Chalupsky (12 X World Champion) and Sean Rice (winner of the 2013 ICF Ocean Racing World Championship) providing training clinics for paddlers. Add into the mix NZD $6500 of prize money, former NZ Olympian Mike Walker (3 x King of the Harbour winner), Rachel Clarke (Molokia 2014 winner, and 2014 Queen of the Harbour), Teneale Hatton (2014 San Francisco Bay winner, and World Champion Gold in K1 5000m 2013, K1 1000m 2014) and you have a humdinger of a race!

How fit is Surfski paddling in NZ? 

Following a sharp growth of the sport of surfski paddling in New Zealand in the early 2000’s, numbers are again growing quite significantly. The low-impact nature of the sport appears to have a serious appeal for crossover triathletes, iron-man/woman, multisporters, adventure racers and surf lifesavers. Unlike for example road cycling or running, competitors do not have to juggle cars, fumes and traffic, and even through the toughest of early morning speedwork sessions on the harbour, it is almost unheard of for surfski paddlers to develop significant injuries from paddling.

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New Zealand Surfski

 Above: The lead group pass through Auckland’s Inner Harbour on route to Waiheke Island in last year’s event.

 

“There’s a whole community behind this amazing sport, and behind this race! The support has been incredible!” says Pacific Ocean Paddlers Race Director Garth Spencer.

“In order to have the event included in the World Series, multiple course options are a must, to take advantage of downwind conditions on the day. Explore Group have come on board as an enthusiastic sponsor, and will be using their shiny new big yellow-and-black ferry to transport Stand Up Paddle Boarders, Surfski Paddlers and Waka-Ama Paddlers out or back over the various 24-26KM course options on the day.”

Course options include the ‘Waihetian Windrunner’ between Waiheke and Birkenhead, a well as ‘The Nihilistic Northerner’ between Gulf Harbour and Royal Akarana Yacht Club, the official Race Headquarters for this year event. Competitors will be hoping for a nice fresh 20 knot wind, with strategic choices of craft an important aspect of the sport across all three disciplines. International interest is high and the entries are flowing in – click on the below link to register now!

How Do I Enter? 

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See the registration on Webscorer
 

“With $10,000 worth of cash and prize up for grabs, the international and NZ paddling industry is really rallying behind the event, with support from Canoe Racing New Zealand for the National Ocean Racing Championships, manufacturers/suppliers Fergs Kayaks, FLOW Kayaks, Star Kayaks, Art In Surf, Exponential Performance Coaching, iPaddle, FENN Kayaks and Paddling Addiction on board with some fantastic prizes. Sharkskin, Vaikobi&Strongarm, purveyors of the worlds best paddle-wear, R-Line and Balance Sports Nutrition are providing race nutrition to keep paddlers performance-fuelled, and Good Health Choices magazine are behind the event to spread the word and further-promote NZ paddle-sports!” 

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Sponsors

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Aussie Michael Booth takes Durban Downwind

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Michael Booth sprints in to win his first World Cup Race...

Durban – The final race of the 2015 FNB Durban Downwind Series saw some fantastic downwind conditions as paddlers made their way from La Mercy on the North Coast to the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday with Australian Michael Booth narrowly claiming a beach sprint over Matt Bouman with Michelle Burn showing her class to claim victory in the women’s race on Saturday.

In what were epic conditions the men’s race was a tightly contested affair all the way to Marine however it was the young Australian who managed to hold his nerve and just pip Bouman with Western Cape surfski hero Dawid Mocké finishing in third.

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Surf Action

The paddlers had to negotiate thumping surf at the start

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Kaboom

"...great to beat the Saffas..."

“It was great to beat the ‘Saffas’ on their home turf,” Booth chuckled. “Getting a win here is a great step forward to me as it was my first international win so I am really happy.

“The race was really good and it was a straight dice up the beach which was exciting,” he added.

Booth has been a serious follower of the World Surfski Series and so getting those all important points was the main goal when coming to South Africa however the young Australian got more than he bargained for and thoroughly enjoyed his race.

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Dawid Mocke

Dawid Mocke - "Panic cost me today"!

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Matt Bouman

Matt Bouman - pipped by the diminutive Aussie in the sprint up the beach

Fantastic conditions

“The conditions were fantastic out there, exactly what you want from a downwind actually.

“Some good swells and some favourable winds meant that we could really have a good go and it was anyones race right up to the beach but I heard Matt injured his calf a few months back so that gave me an advantage.

“Who knows what would have happened if he was fit!” Booth concluded.

Women's Champion Michelle Burn

With some World Surfski Series points on the line Fenn Kayak’s Michelle Burn once again proved that she is in the form of her life as she pulled off her second masterclass race in two weeks to back up her win in Mauritius last weekend however she was quick to say that the conditions were in her favour.

“The conditions in the past two weeks have definitely given me a bit of an advantage considering that I enjoy a bit of a bump and I am sure that if it had been flatter we could have seen different results.

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Michelle Burn

Michelle Burn - "really happy with the win"

“I haven’t had as much time in the boat as a lot of the other girls so being able to use my wave riding skills was something that I could rely on and not just pure fitness so that was good for me,” she explained.

Although she was well clear of Nikki Russell, who finished second, Burn did not see the race as that straight forward and spent quite a bit of the race having to battle to pick up some runs as well as getting in a good enough position for the run in to Marine.

“It was not as simple as it could have been,” she chuckled. “It was some hard work out there but it seemed like it was hard for a lot of paddlers.

“I had a little swim at the beginning but it wasn’t a problem and I’m just really happy with the win!” she said.

More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za

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Logo

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – FNB DURBAN DOWNWIND SURFSKI RACE

RACE FIVE OF THE FNB DURBAN DOWNWIND SURFSKI SERIES

Men

  1. Michael Booth (AUS) 1:28.47
  2. Matthew Bouman 1:28.50
  3. Dawid Mocké 1:29.38
  4. Jasper Mocké 1:30.36
  5. Tom Schilperoot 1:30.49
  6. Mark Anderson (AUS) 1:31.24
  7. Herman Chalupsky 1:34.05
  8. Wade Krieger 1:34.31
  9. Gene Prato 1:36.17
  10. Mark Keeling 1.:38.57

Women

  1. Michelle Burn 1:46.26
  2. Nikki Russell 1:49.50
  3. Danica Bartho 1:54.12
  4. Sharon Armstrong 1:58.00

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Ross Fountain and Brett Hadiaris

First Double: Ross Fountain and Brett Hadiaris

Doubles

  1. Ross Fountain/Brett Hadiaris 1:34.38
  2. Bryce Hatton/Marc Stanton 1:35.34
  3. Matthew Collins/Carl Folscher 1:38.51
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NZ Gold and Bronze in Tahiti!

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The top three boats before the race!

“Teneale Hatton from NZ is 20 seconds behind Michelle Eray, with 4 kms to go, with NZ’s Rachel Clarke taking the outside line and now in 3rd place!” The Tahitian live TV coverage of the Woman’s long distance surfski event of the 2nd International Canoe Federations World Ocean Racing Championships is second to none.

 Tahiti has turned it all on for this event. Following seas, surfable swell, world class competition, and a stellar ladies line-up which reads like a veritable who’s who of the worldwide ocean paddling culture. Waiting for our men’s race tomorrow, all eyes are on the big screen live national TV coverage of the ladies race: We sit by the pool at the Pearl Beach Resort, nervously checking the wind conditions and which is likely to yield the fastest line: Up against the Arue red cliffs and reefs off Venus Point, 15kms north east of Pape’ete, or out wide with the dolphins, sea-turtles, whales, flying fish and bigger runners, all of which we have grown unusually accustomed to over the preceding week!

Mara'amu Wind

The south easterly trade-winds, or Mara’amu as it is known locally, have been reliable for the week leading up to the event; a critical factor in the ‘downwind’ sport of surfski paddling. Competitors in the 34km marathon course skilfully pilot their lightweight racing paddle-craft in such a way as to extract maximum speeds from the ocean swell. Zigzagging across the face of the rollers, we sit as today’s-spectators/tomorrow’s-competitors and are treated to live GPS tracking to see our country-woman topping an exhilarating 20kph top speed. We see in real time the drama unfolding: 25yr old Teneale has taken the ‘hotspot’ cash prize for first paddler to round the first turning buoy, 3.5km off the reef at Hitia’a Marina, 50km north east from Pape’ete.

Michelle Eray has then gone on and taken an early lead with both paddlers following an inside line. NZ’s Rachel Clarke, Molokai Champion from 2014, has dropped back into 4th place as young South African Jenna Ward U23 paddler pulls ahead. Both have stormed the outside line, where the bigger runners clearly can be seen on the fantastic close-up live TV footage, with Rach surfing in a relaxed style, ever so slightly more relaxed in the boat than she normally looks, with her characteristic upright body geometry. Having just recovered from a bout of influenza Rachel is not her usual chirpy self, and heading to the start in the car she is quieter than usual, refusing to be drawn into the excited pre-race chatter of the rest of the Kiwi team.

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Teneale Hatton - 2015 ICF World Champion

2015 ICF Ocean Racing World Champion - Teneale Hatton!

Ding-dong Battle

Up front it’s a ding-dong like we haven’t seen in an international woman’s marathon paddling event in a long time! Michelle Eray, of South African heritage but paddling for the USA where she is an active official ambassador for the sport at a national level, knows she is in trouble. Outwardly relaxed at the start line, Michelle comments that she is not as well rested as she should be, working late the night before on matters concerning her sporting body in the USA. Her cheering team mates on the festival like race headquarters (from both US and South Africa) can sense that although she has led for most of the race, things might be about to change.

She regularly looks over her shoulder at the closing gap, and Teneale’s sleek black carbon characteristic Think surfski. Both boats are slicing through the rolling 1-2m swell, and the commentator’s excited voice announces that the gap is closing to 20 seconds, then 1 boat length, then suddenly NZ is in front, and the Kiwi team jump up and start shouting wildly at the large screen! 3kms to go and there is no stopping Teneale as she charges towards the finish line at the luxurious Pearl Beach Resort in Arue.

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Tahitian Welcome

A traditional Tahitian welcome at the finish

A really big deal

The 2nd International Canoe Federation World Ocean Racing Championships is a big deal. A really big deal. Surfski paddling has its roots in surf life-saving, and South Africa and Australia have long since dominated the sport. The ICF have recently staked their claim on the sport with the growing numbers of cross-over paddlers from the Olympic sprint and canoeing marathon catching on to the addiction of true blue ocean racing: long stretches of rolling swell that propel a skilled paddler along at phenomenal speeds. 2014 saw ICF host the first World Ocean Racing Championship in Portugal, which was a highly organised event, with incredible participation from across the paddling globe. Just about the only no-show at this inaugural event was the wind!

When Tahiti announced that it had succeeded in its bid to host the second World Ocean Racing Championships, the immediate questions around logistics, travel costs and the like were the chatter of the day. Just getting a few hundred surfskis to Tahiti was no small feat! How would the local organisation cope with an international event of this size?

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Teneale Hatton covered the 34km course in a blistering 2Hr15

Teneale Hatton covered the 34km course in a blistering 2Hr15

But for the moment, none of that matters! The media boats have beached: the tattooed, conche-blowing, drum-beating Tahitian warriors and dancing girls froth the vibe up to a frenzy as Teneale and Michelle approach the beach. The entire congregation erupt as the sprint finish sees NZ’s Teneale Hatton crowned World Champion for 2015, and a smiling Michelle 30 seconds back. 5 minutes later and the whole episode is repeated with NZ’s Rachel Clarke bursts onto the beach, stealing Bronze from young Jenna Ward of RSA by a mere 7 seconds.

Spirited, Colourful, Charged...

As we sit here in the post celebration buzz, all of us present have had to agree that thus far the organisation has been spirited, colourful, charged and yet somehow relaxed in the true Tahitian spirit. Not without its hiccups, spectators and competitors continue to enjoy the vibrant traditional dancing, drumming and of course the smiles and laughter of the local organisation. These are the sentiments shared by all, as Teneale teared up during here emotional victory speech, surrounded by traditional dancers, fellow competitors, her mum Patricia and her wider paddling family.

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ICF Ocean Racing World Championships

Top 7 Woman Finishers pictured above in todays 2015 ICF World Ocean Racing Championships in Tahiti, with results below (From R to L).

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Jasper Mocke wins West Coast Downwinder

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Jasper Mocke sprints to the finish at the 2015 West Coast Downwinder in Perth, Australia

The West Coast Downwinder was run and won over the weekend and despite lackluster downwind conditions it turned out to be a great afternoon for all involved. The event lived up to the pre-race hype and paddlers were greeted with calm, hot, flat, grind conditions for the 17-kilometer event. Over 100 paddlers took to the start line and a blistering pace was set early on. 

4:20 pace

Top competitors held under 4:20 pace the whole way sharing leads down the course from Swanbourne to Sorrento. It was a tight battle up front, with a pack of twenty belting out from the start. This was quickly dwindled to eight after three kilometers: Cory Hill, Jasper Mocke, Dawid Mocke, Michael Booth, Mark Anderson, Daniel Humble, Michael Baker and Reece Baker. 

Inside v Outside Line

At 5 kilometers, Dawid broke off the group to head closer to shore with the other 5 choosing to stay out wide, approximately 200 meters from the beach. Near Scarborough Michael Baker dropped off the pack after leading the train early on.

Down to 4

Cory Hill and Jasper Mocke looked the most comfortable and really pushed the pace the whole way. Michael Booth fell off the group with about 2.5 kilometers to go after forcing his way back on the train multiple times.  Soon after, Reece Baker also lost the lead group and it was a race of two, with 1.5 kilometers to go.

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Cory Hill and Jasper Mocke sprint for the finish

Jasper Mocke holds off Cory Hill in the hot, flat conditions

Final Tussle

Cory looked to break Jasper 1km out but Jasper fought back to take the win by a nail-biting three seconds. Michael Booth and Dawid Mocke snuck around Reece in the dying stages with the heat and conditions really getting to him. Michael Baker finished in a strong 6th place, closely followed by Brendan Sarson and Mark Anderson.

First Win of the Year

For Jasper it was his first race win of the calendar year and at the presentation he was excited to get the monkey off the back.

“It was great to win this event,” said Mocke, “Especially with in-form guys like Cory Hill and Michael Booth racing, it makes it that bit more special”.

“I felt really comfortable out there,” said Current Ocean Racing World Champion Cory Hill, “And despite not winning I am feeling good for the doctor next week. Let’s hope the forecast wind comes through! It’s looking awesome!”

Michael Booth, who snuck a third in the dying stages despite Reece and Dawid being hot on his heels commented, “I was happy to hang on for as long as I did. It was super hot and flat out there. I haven't had a great preparation for this event so I’m stoked to steal third from Reece in the dying stages”. 

Over 40s

In the hotly contested over 40s Greg Long took the win, ahead of Michael Dobler and Justin Farrelly.

In the Junior Geriatrics Dean Gardiner scraped over the line in first, ahead of Shaun Rice and Robert Jenkinson. In the super masters (60’s) it was global travel sensation Muz Latham, ahead of Norm Miller and Robert Hodge. 

Women’s Race

In the women's race it was a battle between New Zealand’s Rachel Clarke and South Africa's Michelle Burn. Burn and Clark went off together early on but at the 10km mark Rachel broke away and went on to take the win. “It was great having a win today,” said Clarke. “Michelle is such a great paddler, so I knew it would be a tough battle. This event is a great lead up to next weekend!”

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Rachel Clarke

New Zealander Rachel Clarke powers in to take the Women's Race

Natasha Leaversuch was third across the line only three minutes behind the international stars. In the over 40s Aimee Christie had a win and in the over 50s Julie Jenkinson took the honors.

The next two events are the Sunset Surfski Series this Thursday and The Epic Doctor on Saturday. Wind is looking great for both events!

For full results of the West Coast Downwinder click below http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=57490

For pictures from the event click below https://wanakikamoocow.smugmug.com/Sports/Paddling/Ocean-Paddling/Westcoast-Downwinder-2015/

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Durban's paddlers take on world’s oldest surfski race

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All the paddlers took time to spread the Paddle for the Planet awareness at the 2016 Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates Surfski Race on Sunday, 5 June 2016.

Durban, South Africa - Sunday saw a moderate field take on the world's oldest surfski race, the Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates Surfski Race, with paddlers encountering some tough conditions with South African surfski ace Hank McGregor claiming the overall win with Nicole Russell finishing as the first lady home.

World's Oldest Surfski Race 

The race, first raced in 1957, had both a long and short course as well as incorporating a number of long standing traditions which include an earlier 7am start as well as all paddlers receiving soup at the conclusion of the race. The older members of the Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club were present at Sunday's shoot-out further entrenching the prestige of the 59 year old race.

"It was a good race today with a good following tail wind all the way to Umhlanga," Euro Steel/Epic Kayak's Hank McGregor said after his win. "The wind was against the current so you felt like you were going faster than you actually were and then on the return we were with the current but into the wind which made it a pretty tough day out."

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Hank McGregor

Hank McGregor

Went according to plan

The race had the potential to be another humdinger between McGregor and fellow Durban ace and Epic Kayak's Matt Bouman however the race went according to plan for McGregor who managed to get himself ahead early and boss the race until the finish line.

"I managed to get quite a big lead on Matt Bouman early and then I turned with the doubles so that gave me a good incentive into the final leg.

"Myself and the leading double just sat together until the finish.

"It was a really solid day for me and I am really happy to get another win here even though I am still battling with a bit of jet lag," a satisfied McGregor added following his recent return from the Molokai in Hawaii.

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Matt Bouman

Matt Bouman

Marathon Focus

McGregor's focus now shifts to canoe marathon as he prepares for the South African Marathon Championships in Cape Town next weekend however his immediate calendar is still dominated by surfski races.

"We have the South African Marathon Champs which is also the national trial so I will hopefully be selected to go and defend my world marathon title.

"Despite this my calendar is chock-a-block with surfski races with the Scottburgh to Brighton the following week, then Durban Downwind and the I'm off to Mauritius so my schedule is really busy!" the star mentioned.

Bouman took the second placed position whilst Wade Krieger came home in third with the doubles race spoils going to Steve Woods and Bailey de Fondaumire with Shaun Dias and Matthew Elliot finishing second and Lee Furby and Quinton Rutherford finishing third.

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Double
A number of doubles were present with the combination of Shaun Dias and Matt Elliot finishing second in the doubles race.

Ladies Race

The ladies race was won by Fenn Kayak's Nicole Russell with the mixed doubles spoils going to Russell's Fenn Kayak's team mate Jenna Ward and Brett Hadiaris.

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Nicole Russell
Nicole Russell

The Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates fell the day after paddlers from around the world united to raise awareness of the environment and the plight of the world's oceans for a relay event called Paddle for the Planet.
The 59th edition of the Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates is the lead in race to the 2016 FNB Durban Downwind on 25-26 June 2016.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS - Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates Surfski Race

LONG COURSE 

Overall

  1. Hank McGregor
  2. Matt Bouman
  3. Wade Krieger

Ladies

  1. Nicole Russell

Doubles

  1. Steve Woods/Bailey de Fondaumire
  2. Shaun Dias/Matthew Elliot
  3. Lee Furby/Quinton Rutherford

Mixed

  1. Jenna Ward/Brett Hadiaris

SHORT COURSE SUMMARY

  1. Brad Pearse

Doubles

  1. Mark Backman/Roger McGregor

LONG COURSE - FULL RESULTS

Singles

PosNameClub1TotalTimeKPos
1HANK MCGREGORKIN[ 1:59:16.64 ]K1 1
3MATTHEW BOUMANDRA[ 2:05:30.76 ]K1 2
4WADE KRIEGERMSL[ 2:05:55.09 ]K1 3
7LUKE NISBETPIR[ 2:07:26.23 ]K1 4
8BARRY LEWINVAR[ 2:07:42.37 ]K1 5
12LEE MCGREGORKIN[ 2:12:03.87 ]K1 6
13JASON EKSTRANDPWC[ 2:12:17.62 ]K1 7
18THOMAS LOVEMOREHIL[ 2:18:13.20 ]K1 8
19SEAN UYSPWC[ 2:18:20.49 ]K1 9
20JAKUB ADAMINT[ 2:18:42.18 ]K1 10
22MICHEL DE RAUVILLEKIN[ 2:21:25.99 ]K1 11
27NIKKI RUSSELLKIN[ 2:24:27.57 ]K1 12
29RICHARD LOWEKIN[ 2:24:33.69 ]K1 13
30MARK LEWINMSL[ 2:30:50.62 ]K1 14
33COLIN SIMPKINSSCO[ 2:32:15.05 ]K1 15
37GAVIN DUNDAS-STARRNAT[ 2:43:21.13 ]K1 16
38LUKE STEENKAMPPWC[ 2:44:20.48 ]K1 17
39NIGEL STEVENSZUL[ 2:45:18.15 ]K1 18
40MARC DESCOINSUMZ[ 2:45:22.84 ]K1 19
41TREVOR MAHERCRU[ 2:45:34.42 ]K1 20
42MATT GUNNINGNAT[ 2:53:57.95 ]K1 21
43GIDEON BREYTENBACHZMS[ 2:55:06.80 ]K1 22
44GAVIN BOTHAPWC[ 2:56:32.08 ]K1 23
47DAVID GWYNNKIN[ 3:07:39.06 ]K1 24
48DOUG MCCREADYKIN[ 3:15:06.06 ]K1 25

 

Doubles

PosPaddler 1Paddler 2TotalTimeKPos
2STEVE WOODSBAILEY DE FONDAUMIERE[ 2:01:28.28 ]K2 1
5SHAUN DIASMATTHEW ELLIOTT[ 2:06:00.11 ]K2 2
6LEE FURBYQUINTON RUTHERFORD[ 2:06:04.41 ]K2 3
9MARC STANTONBRYCE HATTON[ 2:08:33.83 ]K2 4
10LINTON HOPEBRUCE WENKE[ 2:10:22.39 ]K2 5
11WARREN VALENTINEMARC GERMIQUET[ 2:10:37.02 ]K2 6
14STRETCH STRUWIGHEINRICH OOSTHUIZEN[ 2:12:54.32 ]K2 7
15BRETT HADIARISJENNA WARD[ 2:14:40.64 ]K2 8
16MIKE STEVENSSTEPHEN SCRASE[ 2:14:42.42 ]K2 9
17ALLAN HOLDGEOFF THOMPSON[ 2:17:55.22 ]K2 10
21IAN MARAISCRAIG MCINTOSH[ 2:21:19.88 ]K2 11
23BUCKEY SYMONSDAVE FRASER[ 2:21:38.80 ]K2 12
24WARREN LANCASTERCARL FOLSCHER[ 2:22:02.07 ]K2 13
25BRETT FROSTGUY COLLYER[ 2:22:29.81 ]K2 14
26BRUCE GLENDAYSTEVE PEARSON[ 2:24:27.43 ]K2 15
28GARY RALPHGRAHAM HOLM[ 2:24:31.31 ]K2 16
31MIKE MCDONALDTHULANI MBANJWA[ 2:31:41.05 ]K2 17
32THANDO THUSIQUINTUS VAN DER MERWE[ 2:32:10.64 ]K2 18
34GARY BEHNANTHONY EDMONDS[ 2:33:59.43 ]K2 19
35MARK JOHNSONRUSSELL SOLOMON[ 2:35:24.91 ]K2 20
36MWELI HLONGWANESTHEMBISO MBATHA[ 2:37:07.64 ]K2 21
45DEAN MAC LEANLOUISA VAN STADEN[ 2:58:42.56 ]K2 22
46GRANT MORSHEADJARRYD BREEDS[ 3:01:16.09 ]K2 23

 

SHORT COURSE - FULL RESULTS

PosPaddler 1Paddler 2TotalTimeKPos
1BRAD PEARSE [ 0:56:33.56 ]K1 1
2MARK BACKMANROGER MCGREGOR[ 0:57:19.25 ]K2 1
3BEVIN WORLOCKSARAH THORPE[ 0:59:11.07 ]K2 2
4PETER JEROME [ 1:01:25.38 ]K1 2
5JEFFREY MAINGARD [ 1:02:03.76 ]K1 3
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2016 US Surfski Champs Cancelled

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2016 US Surfski Champs Cancelled

San Franciso: The following announcement appeared yesterday on the US Surfski Champs Facebook page: "We regretfully have decided to Postpone this year's Event. Those of you that have registered will be receiving an email shortly and all registration fees will be fully refunded."

The post continues: "New dates for 2017 will be posted shortly. Our apologies, but we do plan on coming back with an even better event for 2017. Think "big water".........."

The US Surfski Champs has been a highly regarded and popular annual event since 2002...  This will be the first year without the iconic event.

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World class FNB Durban Downwind battle looms

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World class FNB Durban Downwind battle looms

Durban – Some the best surfski racers in the world will converge on Durban on the weekend of 25 and 26 June for the 2016 FNB Durban Downwind, setting the stage for another world class duel as the World Surfski Series title event draws top elite ocean racers to Durban idyllic wintery conditions for the 26km clash.

Two-day Window Period

With a two day window period and course flexibility, organisers hope to provide participants with the best possible downwind conditions to enjoy between Marine Surf Lifesaving Club (SLC) at Addington beach and La Mercy, or vice versa depending on the wind direction.

Having had two out-of-town winners – Jasper Mocké (Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks) from Fish Hoek, Western Cape in 2014 and Australia’s Michael Booth last year – since its inception two years ago, the richly talented crop of Durban based paddlers will be eager to see the crown remain in the host city this time around.

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Jasper Mocke

Jasper Mocke

With six time Canoe Marathon World Champion, Hank McGregor (Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks), McGregor’s regular local rival, Matt Bouman (Epic Kayaks) and rapidly improving lifesaving convert, Wade Krieger (Epic Kayaks/Falcon World Travel) all from KZN shores, the local challenge is set to be a strong one.

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Hank McGregor

Hank McGregor

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Matt Bouman
Matt Bouman

The event has however also enjoyed a prominent presence of classy, experienced surfski paddlers from the Western Cape in the past with the likes of Mocké’s brother, Dawid (Fenn Kayaks/Mocké Paddling), Sean Rice (Think Kayak), Kenny Rice (Think Kayak) and junior flyer Mark Keeling having all claimed top ten finishes previously, setting up another tough task for KZN’s racing snakes should they hope to reign supreme.

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Dawid Mocke

Dawid Mocke

International Contenders

It remains to be seen if international contenders such as defending champion Booth and fellow Australian and 2014 Durban Downwind sixth place finisher, Mark Anderson will make the trip out to South Africa for this year’s mouth-watering match-up.

While the majority of the focus will be on the singles racing, Durban’s affinity for doubles racing is likely to draw a healthy S2 field as well, an event that will run concurrently to the S1 clash.

Through the generous support of title sponsors FNB, the first 100 online entrants will receive a complimentary moisture management race garment while R40 000 will be up for grabs across all age and gender categories and all participants stand the chance of claiming one of the various sought-after Thule lucky draws prizes at the event’s prize giving.

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Durban Downwind

Online Entry

Online entries, submitted via www.roag.co.za, close on Wednesday, 22 June with registration taking place at Marine SLC on Friday, 24 June from 17h00-19h00.

The 2016 FNB Durban Downwind takes place on 25 or 26 June, the final race date and venue will be announced on the series' Facebook page on Thursday, 23 June. More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za.

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Pacific Tour 2016 – Poor Knights and Maraamu

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Michael Booth - winner of 2015 event finishes in the spectacular Rikoriko Cave at the Poor Knights...

3 September 2016: the toughest open ocean race in New Zealand: the Poor Knights Crossing. 10 September: arguably the most beautiful downwind in the South Pacific – the Maaramu Race in Tahiti. What’s not to like?

Scheduling the third running of the New Zealand’s 30km Poor Knights Crossing Oceanski and Waka Ama downwind paddling event for early September is giving diehard ocean paddlers the unique chance to experience two internationally rated events the south pacific waters on consecutive weekends.

Testy Waters

The Poor Knights Crossing, which includes a 24km open ocean section on some testy waters on New Zealand’s northern Pacific Ocean coastline, is set for the first week of September, just seven days before the Maraamu race in Tahiti.  

It's an opportunity Poor Knights Crossing race director Tim Eves hopes will tempt paddlers to venture from waters afar, with hopes of attracting paddlers from Australia top of his wishlist along with competitors from South Africa’s surfski hotbed.

Mind Blowing

“In tailwind conditions it won’t be a slog,” Tim explains, “I’ve been out there in conditions that are quite mind blowing from a downwind paddling perspective. There are ramps of waves just lined up and they just keep coming.”

“Really, I just have this desire to have paddlers from anywhere on the planet get the chance to dip their blades in these waters, and maybe having two top races on the menu could be the carrot to get them here.”  

The opportunity to get some true blue ocean downwind paddling action is proving to be a tantalising temptation as spots in the third annual Poor Knights Crossing are already starting to fill.

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Poor Knights Islands

Limited Ferry Spots

A growing list of paddlers in both disciplines (ocean ski, waka ama) are booking limited spots on the ferry craft as they eye the chance to paddle from an internationally renowned marine sanctuary back to one what has been rated by National Geographic as one of the top ten most scenic coastal settings at the finish line inside Tutukaka Harbour.

Last year’s champions, Australian Michael Booth (ski), Kiwi Rachel Clarke (ski) and waka ama powerhouse Tupu King are all set to line up.

There is a unique list of prizes up for grabs this year, including Poor Knights lillies (a plant unique to the islands) from event sponsors Tawapou Coastal Natives and unique art work of the islands from Tutukaka artist Steve Moase.

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rachel clarke

Rachel Clarke, winner of the women's race in 2015

Ideal Conditions

Dogged by a weather bomb in its first year the race was then blessed with ideal ocean racing conditions last year. This year Tim Eves added more race course options to all but guarantee downwind racing and built custom designed craft racks to help ensure the race runs as seamlessly as possible.

“We all learned some valuable lessons when the race fleet was greeted with 40 knot winds and 6 metre seas in year one. We needed what we thought were robust systems to be upgraded even further and have set about doing just that,” Tim said.

Safety Paramount

“Safety is always paramount but the appetite from the paddlers to test themselves in big water was a big factor in our planning. Those who brave the conditions come back exhilarated.”
Mystery and Spiritual Significance

The Poor Knights Islands provides a mythical aspect to the race, including a race start inside the world’s biggest sea cave (Rikoriko Cave), a paddle through massive natural rock archways before the race fleet even start the 24km to the finish line.

The history of the Poor Knights Islands is fascinating - the site of an infamous 1820 Maori massacre, and a place shrouded in mystery and spiritual significance to this day, the Islands act as a focus point for all who live in the area.

Sponsored by Strongarm, Power in the Water, Dive! Tutukaka, Tawapou Coastal Natives, Yachtbot GPS Trackers and Moana Nui, the event is set for Saturday, September 3. Entries close on August 20.

Race Info

Race director Tim Eves, a keen surf ski paddler and multisporter, had long believed a race from the Poor Knights Islands to Tutukaka Harbour could be a successful event. The chance to paddle inside a world-renowned marine reserve and the challenge of a downwind dash across what can be a very moody piece of water were two classic ingredients.

"Paddling there is a privilege for a start, then comes the challenge of making it safely back to Tutukaka."

Paddlers will be ferried out to the start line by Dive! Tutukaka and escorted home by the seven boats in the Dive! Tutukaka fleet.

All paddlers will be vetted before entry is accepted, with evidence of open ocean paddling a requirement for registration. Paddlers can submit their names for registration by emailing racedirector@poorknightscrossing.com

The event has five different course options to ensure a majority of downwind racing, but all efforts will be made to stage the race over the preferred Poor Knights to Tutukaka course or, in a westerly, from Tutukaka Harbour to a finish line inside Rikoriko Cave at the Poor Knights.

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Scottburgh to Brighton Record Smashed

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Who's won?!  A desperate dive across the finish line - Matt Bouman (L), Luke Nisbet (R)

Durban - It’s not often that a 46km race ends in a tied result.  But that’s what happened in yesterday’s Spar Hypersure Scottburgh to Brighton Surfski Race in Durban, South Africa…

Downwind

The race was scheduled for this weekend, but when the paddlers saw the forecast, the paddlers’ whatsapp group lit up…  A healthy 15kt southwester was due to come in on the Thursday, in contrast to an expected headwind for the weekend. 

The race organisers managed to persuade the city to grant a permit to run the race on the public holiday… and the downwind was on.

Tough

The Scottburgh to Brighton is tough: the surf at Scottburgh is notorious for breaking boats; the surf at the check-in point at Amanzimtoti is notorious for breaking boats and the surf at the finish at Brighton is…  you get the idea!

And you don’t often see good downwind conditions: more often than not, you have a light offshore breeze lifting a side-on chop that interferes with your stroke, which turns into a headwind for the last 10km. 

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Scottburgh to Brighton

Race Course - 46km from Scottburgh to Brighton.

Great Conditions

But there was no headwind yesterday.

The surf was challenging – one of the doubles came to grief on the way out at Scottburgh and another cut the corner coming into the checkpoint at Amanzimtoti and steered onto the rocks.  Ouch.

Barry Lewin (who came third with his last-minute partner, Lee Furby) commented, “We had about 15kt of wind, which is enough in Durban.  It was messy, but the runs started 5km in and it paddles-down while we were surfing.

“It got better in the second half,” he added.

Fantastic Runs

Matt Bouman hadn’t intended to do the race.  “But downwind is everything in our sport,” he said.  “And I have to compliment the organizers for having the guts to make it so.”

He and partner Wade Krieger had a relaxed first half of the race.  “But I was nervous,” Matt said.  “Wade had never done a race longer than 2 hours and I certainly hadn’t trained for it.

“I thought we were clear away,” he went on.  “But when we headed into ‘Toti, Luke and Gene popped up to our right.

“That’s the way it goes in downwind paddling!”

They found a better line than their opposition through the surf on the way out from Amanzimtoti and were ahead until…

“I don’t know whether Wade was looking to see where they were,” laughed Matt, “but we fell in!  And Wade struggled to get in again so we took 30-40sec to get going.  And then I had to dive in again to get my drinking system.

“And after that it was an arm-wrestle all the way to the finish. 

“The runs were fantastic – we were doing 20-28kph the whole time and the finish came so quickly.

“I was still nervous; we were just trying to stay calm and save a bit for the end.”

Photo Finish

As they approached the finish at Brighton, Matt and Wade accelerated. 

“We were a wave ahead, but as we arrived, the shore break jacked up and I had to wait,” said Matt.  “If we’d just gone, we’d have been smashed. 

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Finish Wave

The leaders approach the shore break...

“Luke and Gene came through and beat us to beach, but then they dropped their boat!”  

It turned into a lung-bursting sprint to carry the skis across the soft sand up the beach to the finish line.  A desperate dive… and who’d won?

There were photos – but none of them were at quite the right angle…  they show both crews with their skis in mid-lunge, but who was in front?  Who can say?!  So an honorable tie for the record-breaking first place was declared.

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Dive over the line

...and a frantic dive across the line!

Records

The Scottburgh to Brighton record, owned by Matt Bouman and Herman Chalupsky since 1998 was smashed by more than 17 minutes.

Zoog Haynes and Linton Hope broke the vets’ record; Nick Burdon and Hayley Nixon were the faster mixed doubles crew ever and the women’s record was smashed by Nikki Russell and Jenna Ward.

“It was just so nice to have a proper downwind,” exclaimed Matt.  “Good people, good times, good fun!”

The race was run by South Coast Lifesaving Association.

Results 

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results

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Aussie Anderson on South African Surfski Safari

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Mark Anderson

Durban – Top Australian surfski ace Mark Anderson is sizing up this weekend’s FNB Durban Downwind surfski race, determined to make the most of the weather conditions that will define the character of the 26km challenge while at the same time enjoying the company of the local surfski community that has made it easy for him to be a regular visitor to South African shores.

Having last raced back in April at the King of the Habour race in New Zealand, the 38 year-old flyer from Narrabeen, Sydney will look to this weekend’s clash to reignite his competitive spark before he takes on important assignments in Mauritius and Portugal in the coming weeks.

Conservative

A lack of racing recently and little indication of strong winds blowing this weekend, Anderson has set himself some conservative goals for this weekend.

However, a sixth place effort at last year’s FNB Durban Downwind – behind fellow Australian, Michael Booth and a powerful South African quartet – proves the Fenn Kayaks/Oceanpaddler athlete has what it takes to mix it up at the front and should forecasts improve, may well be a factor again in 2016.

It is what it is!

“There doesn’t seem like there will be much wind on the weekend unfortunately but it is what it is, its just one of those uncontrollables that you can’t get too concerned about.

“I’ll get the whip out and give it a crack but I need all the help I can get so if it’s flat then it’ll be hard to match the pace of guys like Hank (McGregor) and company.

“Having not raced since New Zealand, I have absolutely no idea how I’ll go this weekend, especially given the expected conditions. Either way though, it will be good get some miles in the arms before Mauritius and Portugal!”

Having jetted in on Tuesday, 14 June and only departing for Mauritius on Wednesday after this weekend’s clash, Anderson has made a point of making the most of his time in SA, both on and off the water.

“I first came to South Africa in 2008 to race but it was just so easy to make friends that I was back again in 2009 and 2010 before taking a bit of a break and then returning again last year and again now,” explains Anderson.

“I arrived last Tuesday, everything lined up perfectly for me for the Scottburgh to Brighton race on Thursday, I went for a paddle on Monday, did a downwind from DUC to Umhlanga on Tuesday evening and I’ll paddle again today (Wednesday), so its been good!

Safari

“I also always try and do some stuff outside Durban while I’m here – last year I went up Sani Pass, in 2010n I spent a few days in Cape Town – and so it was absolutely amazing to head up the North Coast and spend two nights at the Zululand Rhino Reserve this time.

“My friends are why I’m here really; the race is just an excuse to come back and is just a sideshow,” he laughs.

While the majority of the focus will be on the singles racing, Durban’s affinity for doubles racing is likely to draw a healthy S2 field as well, an event that will run concurrently to the S1 clash.

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Durban Downwind

Sponsors

Through the generous support of title sponsors FNB, the first 100 online entrants will receive a complimentary moisture management race garment while R40 000 will be up for grabs across all age and gender categories and all participants stand the chance of claiming one of the various sought-after Thule lucky draws prizes at the event’s prize giving.

Online entries, submitted via www.roag.co.za, close on Wednesday, 22 June with registration taking place at Marine SLC on Friday, 24 June from 17h00-19h00.

The 2016 FNB Durban Downwind takes place on 25 or 26 June, the final race date and venue will be announced on the series' Facebook page on Thursday, 23 June. More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za.

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Hank McGregor on the Durban Downwind

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Hank McGregor

Durban – The FNB Durban Downwind is one of the very few paddling titles in South Africa to have eluded Hank McGregor, something the six-time Canoe Marathon World Champion is eager to rectify when this year’s edition of the World Surfski Series title event takes place on either Saturday or Sunday this weekend.

“The Durban Downwind is a race I’d love to win for sure,” confirms McGregor. “It’s going to be pretty tough though; at this stage conditions look like it’s going to be pretty flat plus a lot of the local guys are in really good shape at the moment.”

“Guys like Matt Bouman and Wade Krieger are both very fit while Steve Woods and Luke Nisbet also showed at Thursday’s Scottburgh to Brighton that they’ve got the miles in them too.

“A local youngster or two may just put their hand up on the day as well and I hear there will also be one or two Aussies (Mark Anderson) on the line, which will add another element to the mix as well.”

Forecast

Organisers and competitors alike continue to keep a close eye on weather forecasts as they try to best prepare for the weekend’s likely conditions with current predictions suggesting there will be a healthy breeze blowing during the latter part of the week, however there appears to be little wind expected this weekend until Sunday afternoon.

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windguru

“At this stage it looks like it might be a bit of a slog before having to deal with a bit of swell at the end but it doesn’t matter too much what conditions are like on the day really, if you’ve got the right mindset then you’ll adapt accordingly.

“Anything can happen when it comes to the weather; a buster Westerly could suddenly come through and it could be great downwind conditions or current predictions could be correct and it will be a tough, flat paddle from start to finish – who knows?

Local Knowledge

“Local knowledge will help a bit if the wind does end up blowing and then current and lines become a factor but if it’s a hard slog, then it comes down to who is the fittest guy on the day!” said Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks’ McGregor.

In 2014 – his only appearance at the race previously – McGregor looked well set to clinch the event’s inaugural title as he led from start to 100 metres from the finish.

A stumbling at the final hurdle – getting through the colossal surf shortly before the finish line on the at La Mercy beach – however proved his undoing and handed Jasper Mocké (Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks) the win instead.

“2014 will definitely be playing on my mind as I prepare this week,” admits McGregor, who trains from his Salt Rock home base. “It can be flat and you’re in the lead the whole way but not even that can guarantee you a win as you could take a swim at the finish.”

“There is a bit of swell around at the moment so if there is some surf at the finish again this weekend then to be safe you’ll need to have enough of a lead that you don’t have to take a chance and can afford to take your time and go in on the back of a wave or wait on the sand bank for the set to go through.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how the weather pans out over the next couple of days and then try to plan accordingly.”

Window Period

The organisers aim to stage the race in the best available downwind conditions and, as such, a two day window period has been set aside with a final decision on the race date, start time and 26km course – either Marine SLC to La Mercy or vice versa – to be made on Thursday morning.

While the majority of the focus will be on the singles racing, Durban’s affinity for doubles racing is likely to draw a healthy S2 field as well, an event that will run concurrently to the S1 clash.

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FNB Durban Downwind

Sponsors

Through the generous support of title sponsors FNB, the first 100 online entrants will receive a complimentary moisture management race garment while R40 000 will be up for grabs across all age and gender categories and all participants stand the chance of claiming one of the various sought-after Thule lucky draws prizes at the event’s prize giving.

Online entries, submitted via www.roag.co.za, close on Wednesday, 22 June with registration taking place at Marine SLC on Friday, 24 June from 17h00-19h00.

The 2016 FNB Durban Downwind takes place on 25 or 26 June, the final race date and venue will be announced on the series' Facebook page on Thursday, 23 June. More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za.

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Top Women for Durban Downwind - Weather Update

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Defending Champion Michelle Burn

Durban – Defending champion Michelle Burn is excited to see how the 2016 FNB Durban Downwind women’s race unfolds this weekend as KwaZulu-Natal’s renowned quintet of female paddling talent go head to head for the World Surfski Series title race’s women’s title.

After organisers confirmed on Thursday morning that the event will take place from 13h00 on Sunday, 26 June, Burn is set to be joined on the start line of the 26km clash from La Mercy Beach to Marine Surf Lifesaving Club by fellow elite racers Nicole Russell, Hayley Nixon, Jenna Ward and Kyeta Purchase.

The five’s pedigree speaks for itself with all having bagged race crowns and podium finishes on both the surfski and marathon racing circuit throughout the past eighteen months.

Conservative Outlook

For Amanzimtoti’s Burn though, this weekend’s clash represents a different challenge to many of her previous paddling tasks, with the veteran surfski competitor expecting to have the best seat in the house from which to view the title race unfold rather than competing for victory herself.

“My focus has shifted a little and I was looking forward to giving the recent Ironman 70.3 in Durban a bit of a go so I haven’t really paddled competitively since November,” explains Burn.

“A silly knee injury I picked up a couple of months ago sadly ruled me out of Ironman though, so when I couldn’t ride I thought I might as well paddle and that’s when I decided to do the Durban Downwind.

“Unfortunately I then picked up a really rare virus and was really ‘man down’ for the last little while, so I really am not in great shape at all at the moment,” the highly decorated surfski competitor chuckles somewhat bewilderedly.

While her recent health troubles, together with forecasts of little wind to help push her along on race day, see the 30 year-old Fenn Kayaks athlete heading into Sunday’s race with a conservative personal outlook.

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WindGuru 2016-06-23

More hopeful by the day, 10kt is enough to kick up some runs...

Burn is however confident a storm of action is set to unfold in front of her as the in-form Russell, Ward and Purchase (all Fenn Kayaks) as well as Nixon (Carbonology Sport) give it their all.

“Hayley (Nixon) is very powerful and will be super strong, especially if its flat while Nikki (Russell) is probably the most consistent of the four across all conditions and her win at the SA Marathon Champs recently showed she has what it takes in flat condition too.

“Jenna (Ward) and Kyeta (Purchase) are obviously incredible paddlers as well and I’m sure they’ll be right up there this weekend but I think Hayley and Nikki go into the race as slight favourites.

But... if there's wind...

“If for some reason the wind gods do bless us with some wind on Sunday then perhaps my years of experience and technical skill will mean I stand a bit of a chance but if there’s not much wind and it is flat, like is expected to be, then I think I’ll just be watching from behind as the others battle it out ahead of me.”

While the majority of the focus will be on the singles racing, Durban’s affinity for doubles racing is likely to draw a healthy S2 field as well, an event that will run concurrently to the S1 clash.

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Durban Downwind

Through the generous support of title sponsors FNB, the first 100 online entrants will receive a complimentary moisture management race garment while R40 000 will be up for grabs across all age and gender categories and all participants stand the chance of claiming one of the various sought-after Thule lucky draws prizes at the event’s prize giving.

Online entries, submitted via www.roag.co.za, close at midday on Friday, 24 June with registration taking place at Marine SLC from 17h00-19h00 on the same day while the 2016 FNB Durban Downwind takes place Sunday, 26 June. More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za.

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Hank McGregor, Nicole Russell win in FNB Durban Downwind

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Hank McGregor wins the 2016 FNB Durban Downwind

Durban – South African paddling icon Hank McGregor overcame sickness, flat conditions as well as a strong local field to clinch his maiden FNB Durban Downwind win on Sunday while the in-form Nicole Russell claimed the World Surfski Series title event’s women’s crown.

Mother Nature - Party Pooper

Despite organisers’ best efforts to stage the race in the best available wind conditions of the weekend, Mother Nature didn’t come to the party as hoped and the 26km journey from La Mercy Beach to Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach was a testing one for all.

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FNB Durban Downwind

Graham Neate and Tony Purchase punch through the surf on the way to the start

McGregor, having come close to victory in the race’s debut in 2014, had little hassle second time around as he claimed a commanding triumph, racing home one minute and four seconds ahead of Matt Bouman.

“I’m glad to take the win this time around,” said McGregor. “I narrowly lost it two years ago so it’s nice to win the Durban Downwind for the first time.”

“Conditions were pretty tough; there was hardly any assistance really so it was a hard slog for 26kms.

“I managed to get out in front early and then kept the guys behind me for the rest of the race – there weren’t too many tactics involved really.

“I was in hospital on Friday so it was a hit and miss whether I was going to race but I’m glad I was able to get out there and it’s nice to have gotten the win,” added the Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks athlete.

Organisers Tried

Bouman echoed McGregor’s sentiments regarding the conditions while sang the praises of the victor and the organisers alike.

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Matt Bouman

Matt Bouman - second

“It’s sad that it was as flat as it was because there aren’t many races where the organisers genuinely search for the best downwind conditions and the Durban Downwind is one of them where they do.

“This was one of only a few opportunities where the guys use the whole two day window period to try to find the wind but when Mother Nature says there’s no wind then there simply is no wind.

“I’m not unhappy with how I performed; it was good for me personally but the person who puts in the most work is the guy who wins and it’s something you’ve got to give people credit for.

“Hank was just too strong today and well done to him for that. The man’s commitment to sport and the amount of work he does is one hell of a thing,” added Bouman graciously.

Aussie Ando Represents

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Mark Anderson

Australian paddler Mark Anderson rounded out the podium with a well deserved third place.

Australia’s Mark Anderson (Fenn Kayaks/Oceanpaddler Sydney) claimed the bottom step of the podium while Gene Prato and Barry Lewin (Jeep Team) claimed positions four and five.

Carbonology Sport’s Bailey de Fondaumiere was the first junior across the line, finishing seventh overall, while birthday boy, Wade Krieger (Epic Kayaks/Falcon World Travel) rounded out the top ten.

Women's Race

In the women’s charge, Russell and Hayley Nixon went head to head from the get-go, the former edging out the latter by thirty three seconds in the end.

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Nikki Russell

Nicole Russell enjoyed the flat conditions

“I love the Durban Downwind and it’s great to win again,” said Russell. “Winning SA Marathon Champs a couple of weeks ago definitely gave me a bit of confidence in these flat conditions because I do normally prefer the bumps, runs and a bit of swell.”

“I knew it was going to be a grind but it was even tougher than I was expecting.

“Haylz (Nixon) was there the whole way and it was a ding-dong battle between us. I went deep early on and I didn’t see Hayley until we met up at about halfway. I then went on the inside and she stuck to the middle, which worked out for me in the end but it was very close.”

Nixon was pleased with her effort. “It was an awesome race and a titanic battle. I’m stoked with second place and well done to Nikki on her win,” the Carbonology Sport competitor said.

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Hayley Nixon

Hayley Nixon - second in the women's race

Visitors

While a predominantly local field, eleven paddlers from Gauteng and one each from Western and Eastern Cape made the journey to Durban for the race with Johannesburg’s Anna Clifford Arwidi rounding out the women’s podium while Durbanville Hills’ Anton Holtzhausen was the first Masters competitor home.

Thank you FNB!

Through the support of title sponsors FNB, a prize money purse of R40000 was given away across all age groups and categories while all finishers stood the chance winning various Thule and Funky Pants lucky draws prizes.

“KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s second largest economy and is well positioned in the tourism and sporting sectors,” commented Howard Arrand, FNB Business - KZN Provincial Head.

“We relish the opportunity to be involved with the Durban Downwind event as the sport continues to grow in popularity as one of the key activities in the province and the South African sporting calendar.

“Congratulations to all those who took part in the race as well as the families, spectators and the various communities who showed their support,” he added.

More information can be found at www.durbandownwind.co.za.

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FNB Durban Downwind

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
2016 FNB DURBAN DOWNWIND

Overall

  1. Hank McGregor 1:44.50
  2. Matt Bouman 1:45.54
  3. Mark Anderson (AUS) 1:48.54
  4. Gene Prato 1:49.27
  5. Barry Lewin 1:50.40
  6. Luke Nisbet 1:50.52
  7. Bailey de Fondaumiere (U18) 1:52.35
  8. Jason Ekstrand 1:53.06
  9. Steve Woods 1:53.43
  10. Wade Krieger 1:54.10

Women

  1. Nicole Russell 2:01.32
  2. Hayley Nixon 2:02.05
  3. Anna Clifford Arwidi 2:27.49
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McGregor, Reyntjes win in Mauritius

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Hank McGregor shows his son Thorsten the way to finish a big race...!

Le Morne Pass, Mauritius - “I saw how wide his eyes were, and thought to myself, ‘this is serious’,” said Jasper Mocke.  His brother Dawid had been hit by a “bommie”, a massive breaking wave just outside La Prairie pass at Le Morne; his leash had broken and his surfski had blown away.

“Leave me!”

A passing kite surfer, seeing the stricken paddler, had chased after the ski.  “Jasper still had a chance at the podium and I told him to leave me,” said Dawid. 

A worried Jasper paddled back into the race, glancing back to see his swimming brother disappear into the distance.

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Tamassa Resort

The Tamassa Resort, Southwest Mauritius - venue for the Investec Mauritius Ocean Classic

Lux Surfski Week - Investec Mauritius Ocean Classic 2016

This year’s MOC, the eighth and the first to be sponsored by Investec Bank, had seen perfect conditions for the entire week – the southeasterly trade winds blew every day and the paddlers reveled in the daily downwind runs from Tamassa to Le Morne.

Stellar Field

The men’s field included three-time champion Dawid Mocke (RSA), three-time (and defending) champion Hank McGregor (RSA), current ICF Ocean Racing World Champion and 2015 World Series Champion Cory Hill (Aus), Michael Booth (Aus), 2014 winner Jasper Mocke (RSA) and Matt Bouman (RSA), Mark Anderson (Aus) any of whom could make the podium. 

The women’s race was also packed with stars: Nicole Leigh Russell (who had just won the Durban Downwind at home in South Africa), defending champion Michelle Burn, three-time champ Nikki Mocke and Durban stars Jenna Ward and Hayley Arthur.  The South Africans were unaware of a dark horse in the mix too: Wendy Reyntjes from Geelong, Australia. 

Overall, this was the biggest women’s field ever with over thirty racing.

Grey hairs…

Who’d be a race director?  On Friday, a massive southwesterly swell came in, 3m/15s swells smashing and roaring onto the reefs and preventing the rescue boats operating in the unprotected area south of the island.

“It’s the kind of thing that that gives you grey hairs,” said race director Anton Erasmus.  “We have a range of abilities among the paddlers and safety is paramount.

“At one point it looked as though we might have to race inside the reef.”

Happily by Saturday morning the seas had subsided somewhat, and although the course was shortened by 3km, conditions were safe, if challenging, for the majority of the paddlers.

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Clear Mauritius Waters

The paddlers head out to the start of the race - in crystal clear warm water

Race Course(s)

The race was split into two: the main course outside the reef and a gentler option inside the lagoon.

The "wild-siders" paddled 19km from the start at the resort, through the Tamassa Pass, west towards Le Morne, then in a northerly direction towards the L’Ambulante Pass and then back across the lagoon to the finish. 

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Race Course

The "Wild-siders" course

Men’s Race

Jasper Mocke was worried about his ability to compete in this race; he’d fallen sick after Molokai and still wasn’t feeling well.  Nonetheless, he hurtled off the start line, leading the men to the turn buoy before the Tamassa Reef Pass.

“I realized I wasn’t going to be able to compete at that pace,” he said.  “So I reset my expectations and aimed instead for a top 5 result – which I got so I was happy.”

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Men's start

L to R: Michael Booth (Aus), Jasper Mocke (RSA), Mark Anderson (Aus), Hank McGregor (RSA) and Matt Bouman (RSA) race out from the start

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Men's start

Collision

The Tamassa Reef Pass is wide and easy to navigate – but under race stress all kinds of things can happen…  As Aussie Mark Anderson found when a wave popped up out of nowhere and the foamie hit from the side, knocking him off and sending his ski careering into his neighbor, Matt Bouman.  The two remounted, but Bouman found that the collision had bent his ski’s rudder and he wasted precious seconds straightening it. 

Meanwhile Dawid Mocke had surged out through the pass at the head of the pack, immediately hooking into a couple of runs and taking the lead.

Behind him Hank McGregor had taken a slightly wider line.  “Conditions were pretty wild,” he said.  “When we got to Le Morne we came together and I was actually on the inside when Dawid got eaten by the wave."

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Downwind

The paddlers enjoyed the downwind leg

Short Downwind

“The downwind section was actually quite short,” he commented.  “Dawid and I had paddled the course the day before and we agreed that we were going to have to leave something in the tank for the last section – 4km on small bumps and then 1800m into the wind and current across the lagoon to the finish.”

While Dawid Mocke swam, Hank led Cory Hill and Michael Booth around the corner and onto the flatter, protected waters as they headed north.

Aussie Michael Booth also had a swim, but managed to remount within seconds. 

“The swell coming in through Le Morne was massive!” He said. “Hank, Cory and Dawid came together in that section after Hank came in from an outside line.

“Dawid got taken out by a freak set way outside the pass. I missed those sets and took a big one to the inside putting me some 250m inside the other boys. It put me in a great position almost catching Cory and Hank as I was just behind the reef catching waves, while they were out wide catching swells.

“I nearly came unstuck with about 1km to go with a set standing up forcing me to jump off my ski and throw it over the wave. I was lucky and it was easy to recover and only cost me about 10seconds. Cory and Hank were too strong and kept pulling away from me in the small grindy bumps!

“Yeah it was an awesome race. Great conditions for the event.” he added.

Final Stretch

“About 1km from Le Morne, I pushed it and managed to open up a bit of a lead,” said Hank McGregor.  “And after that I just tried to work the bumps and got further ahead.

“Le Morne is like the turning point,” he went on.  “The race jumps to another level of intensity.”

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Hank McGregor

Hank McGregor catches the shoulder of a wave on the outside of Le Morne

McGregor won by just under a minute from Cory Hill in 1:08:46.

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Cory Hill

Cory Hill chases Hank McGregor on the flat protected waters heading north to L'Ambulante Pass

“What was nice to see, was the performances from some of the other paddlers like Barry Lewin and Oscar who had really good races.  Kyle Friedenstein beat Oscar for the first time.

“It’s fantastic to have such a great line up of paddlers; without them, the title just wouldn’t mean anything.

“It was a fabulous week with my wife Pippa and my son, Thorsten.”

Very Happy

“I’m very happy to have won my fourth MOC.  In fact the trophy only has two names on it: Mocke and McGregor so we’re thinking of changing it to the MockGregor Trophy,” he laughed.

Hank has had a pretty good month – four major titles in four weeks: Molokai, SA Marathon Champs, Durban Downwind and the 2016 Investec MOC.

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Final leg

The last 1800m was a hard grind on flat water into the wind and current!

Long Swim

Dawid Mocke was finally reunited with his ski when Mark Anderson arrived at Le Morne.  In a display of sportsmanship, Anderson paddled across and held Mocke’s ski while the kite surfer who had been clutching it, sailed back to pick up Mocke, dragging him across to the ski.  Mocke finished in 13th place, nearly 9min adrift of the winner.

Women’s Race

Nikki Mocke lead Michelle Burn and Nikki Russell through the Tamassa Pass – but they had an unexpected companion.  The unknown (at least to the South Africans) Wendy Reyntjes was also in the group – and as they exited the pass, Reyntjes turned sharp right, on the edge of the reef and close behind the breaking surf.

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Women's start

The women head out towards the Tamassa Reef Pass

Tiger Line

“She was on a serious tiger line, right on the edge of the reef,” said Nikki Mocke.  “I just thought to myself, ‘who’s that chick?  She’s flying!  And… she’s gonna die!’”

The three South Africans diced wave for wave down to Le Morne – and to their surprise, Wendy Reyntjes reappeared next to them. 

Nikki Mocke took a wide (safe) line around the corner at Le Morne, and the other three women disappeared.

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On a run

Having battled with a recent flu, Michelle Burn didn’t think she would feature in the race.  “But I guess the wind put me in the mix,” she said. “The race was really enjoyable.

“As for Wendy, I didn't even know who she was since I wasn't in Tahiti for world champs,” She added. “All I know is she is very brave and took some extremely close ‘tiger’ lines off the turn outside the start pass at Tamassa, and along from the old Le Morne pass to the finish. It paid off for her and she was super strong the whole way.

“I managed to catch her about 2km from the Le Morne pass, and managed to get a couple runs ahead of her there.  After heading out deeper a bit as I was a bit shallow at the pass, I saw Nikki Russell and managed to keep them both on my tail as we rounded the pass."

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Challenging Conditions

"It was massive..."

“It was massive and we were all quite close trying to catch the backline wave off the back since the runs faded out from the protection of the reef.  Shortly after the Le Morne pass I nearly got taken out by a wave, and I had to paddle out to sea to miss it. I looked back to see Wendy doing the same, but poor Nix (Russell) just stayed on the wave and caught it in...

Panicked

“I didn’t see the boat at the turn,” Nikki Russell said.  “And I just panicked and turned over the reef 750m early.”

She quickly realized what she’d done, and paddled on the inside of the reef up to the actual turning point – but the race organisers had no choice but to DQ her. 

“My heart was sore,” she said.  “I was so fit and had worked so hard for it.  But I will never make that mistake again!”

Meanwhile Wendy Reyntjes put the hammer down and inexorably drew away from Michelle Burn on the flat lagoon, beating her in the end by just 21 seconds in 1:22:41.

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Reyntjes leads Burn

Reyntjies leads Burn on the protected water, heading north with the kite surfers in Le Morne Pass in the background

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Investec Bank Mauritius

Investec MOC 2017

Investec Bank have signed up for a three-year sponsorship and the events team from LUX Resorts will be announcing plans for an even bigger and better event next year… Stay tuned for details.

Full Results

 "Wild-sider" Race

PositionNameTimeNotes
1Hank McGregor68.46 
2Cory Hill69.43Aus
3Michael Booth70.18Aus 
4Jasper Mocke71.3 
5Barry Lewin71.57 
6Matt Bowman72.2 
7Kyle Fridenstein72.39 
8Oscar Chalupsky72.44 
9Dean Gardiner74.33Aus 
10Mark Anderson74.57Aus 
11Herman Chalupsky75.12 
12Joshua Fenn75.23 
13Dawid Mocke76.09 
14Oliver Burn77.29 
15Steve Woods77.51 
16Shaun Austin80.26 
17Kurt Tutt80.54 
18Brendon Thomson81.08 
19Oskar Stileau81.38NZ 
20John Jacoby82.1 
21Wendy Reyntjes82.411st Woman
22Michelle Burn83.022nd Woman
23Keith Fenn84.02 
24Keithley Burn84.1 
25Jayme Thomson84.33 
26Michael Mckeogh84.39 
27Tim Fitzsimmons84.44 
28Anthony Scott Deveril85 
29Hayley Nixon85.193rd Woman
30Michael Shwan85.25 
31Colin Simpkins85.33 
32Hein Van Rooyen & Natalie Goedhals86.111st Double
33Simon de Speville86.26 
34Nikki Mocke86.344th Woman
35Jenna Ward86.525th Woman
36Brendin Currin86.58 
37Richard Allen87.08 
38Paul Vernedet87.48 
39Ian Carl Marais88.14 
40Travis Smith & Jordan Fenn88.322nd Double
41Laurence Webber90.19 
42Dale Jackson90.35 
43Gael Brain91.43 
44Tayne Thomson91.48 
45Kobus Dreyer91.59 
46Luke Van Es92.1 
47Eric Le Leuch92.22 
48Robert Buckley92.56 
49David Griffen93.14 
50Christopher Bartlett93.56 
51Martin Robinson94.12 
52Robert Stevenson94.13 
53Grant Walker94.43 
54Tony Lubner94.5 
55Murray Walters94.54 
56Jason Northwood95.46 
57Sharon Armstrong96.15 
58David & Rachel Symington96.193rd Double
59Jean von Loggenberg98.53 
60Alain Teurquetil99.4 
61Tricia Gilbert100.27 
62Greg Slingerland100.3 
63Barry Lewis100.43 
64Barry Ashwin101.06 
65Justin Ryan101.44 
66Andrew Au102.44 
67Craig Mc Kenzie102.54 
68Ryan Butcher103.03 
69Nicholas Yap103.32 
70Murray Saul104.06 
71Bruce Glenday104.14 
72David Gilmer & Michael Frizelle104.2 
73Douglas Florence104.34 
74Johan de Bryn105.28 
75Bernard Fisher107.18 
76Neil Kirkwood110.09 
77Roger Buck122.48 
78Andrew Mc Farlane124.28 
79Robert Wallwork124.57 
80Richard Vennicker126.09 
81Kate Fitzsimmons127.54 
82Danela Ashwin129.16 
83Tony Balshaw131.47 
DNFNicole Russel  

Insider Race

PositionNameTime
1Matthew Fenn72.35
2Mandy Bowman73.16
3Mark Muller74.58
4Nicholas Barnes77.03
5Nico Smit77.29
6Gareth Gregory77.3
7Kyo Tan78.43
8Kate Muezner80.05
9Louisa van Standen82.15
10Charlie Dutton82.3
11Aya Asanuma82.31
12Carin Schmidt82.58
13David Irwin82.32
14Jean Luc Baptist84.45
15Shaun Patterson86.08
16Jacqueline Yanko86.24
17Sharon Tan87.08
18Tracey Wallwork87.09
19Mark Hickman92.32
20Ian Cunningham92.34
21Grant Wilson93.46
22Desiree Silva94.48
23Graham Patterson98.1
24Alec Wing100.02
25Morag Wilson113.48
26Janine Richmond115.38
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