Youngsters shine at surfski event

YOUNG paddling talent stood out in the Borland Surfski Challenge, race three of the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, on Friday evening.

The talented juniors took full advantage of some of their regular bigger name rivals' absence, especially Kyeta Purchase, who stole the show in the women’s clash when she won her maiden senior race title despite still being a junior competitor.

With Jenna Ward involved in the 2015 N3TC Drak Challenge in Underberg, and usual series standout Michelle Burn still returning to top form after the birth of her first child, Purchase took the opportunity to prove just how much she has grown as an open ocean racer in recent months.

“I was a little sore after the race but I was really happy to have won my first senior race. Considering I was hardly able to finish the short course race last year, I'm really stoked to have beaten someone as good as Michelle (Burn) in the last two races, and the training I've been doing with Lee McGregor has definitely played a big role in that,” said sixteen-year-old Purchase.

The young star hopes to use Durban's array of surfski series as part of her preparations for the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Hungary at the end of the year.

The men’s race saw 2014 series co-winner, Matt Bouman, get a first win of this year’s series under his belt as he powered home ahead of Ironman lifesaving sensation, Wade Krieger, while series coordinator, Barry Lewin, rounded out the podium.

The juniors' run of success on the day continued deeper into the men’s top five as under-18 competitor, Bailey de Fondaumiere, finished fifth behind Gene Prato, while fellow junior, Luke Criticos, also secured a top 10 overall finish.

The doubles clash was clinched by Paul Scruby and Duncan Nisbet, while Matt Carlise and Thea van der Westhuizen claimed the mixed doubles spoils.

The short course contest saw David Hazell as well as Keaton Riddle and William Dowsett finish first in the singles and doubles challenges.

The Thule Surfski Challenge, race four of the 2015 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, will take place at 5.30pm on Friday, 30 January at Addington Beach. Visit: www.marineseries.co.za.