Boumann claims surfski series race win
Boumann and Ward take the men's and women's titles in race two of the Bay Union Surfski Series.
THE action of Sunday 11 May’s Lion of Africa Surfski Challenge, race two of the 2014 Bay Union Surfski Series, took place amid a celebratory Mother’s Day atmosphere at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club.
Evergreen performer Matt Bouman opened his series account in style with victory in the men’s race while rising U23 star Jenna Ward made it two wins from two in the women’s division.
Having missed the opening event, Epic Kayaks’ Bouman showed he still has the raw power and strength to grind out a physically demanding victory as he narrowly edged out Grant van der Walt.
“Racing was tough out there today. As always, racing against Grant (van der Walt) here is as tough as racing at any World Cup event around the world! My game pIan was to try get him to have to push a little harder than he would like for as long as possible and fortunately that seemed to result in me having the better of him, just, for most of the way. The course was great. It really helped break the monotony of the usual around the buoys, lap racing which often just becomes marathon-like, bunch racing for much of the way,” said Bouman.
With race one winner Hank McGregor in Hawaii for the prestigious Molokai race, van der Walt clinched his second runner-up finish of the series with Jean-Luc Mauvis showed why some are suggesting he is better form that many suspect when he claimed the bottom step of the podium.
Jenna Ward again got the better of Nikki Russell in the women’s clash.
The doubles race saw more memorable racing unfold among some of the country’s leading age group paddlers as Lee McGregor and Alan Hold made up for last week’s frustrating second place finish by surging to victory ahead of Gavin Searle and Linton Hope while Gustav Kriese and Neil Evans finished third.
Jordan Clauson was the first junior boys’ competitor across the line while Paul van Achterbergh and Lauren Coleby won the men’s and women’s singles and Paul and Rory McNeill the doubles in the short course event.
The unique McCarthy Toyota Umhlanga King of the Bay race, race three of the Bay Union Surfski Series, takes place at 9am on Sunday 18 May.
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