Conrad completes surf ski race
The race is a lot of fun with stand up paddlers (SUP) and a festive atmosphere.
The annual Gauteng Surf Ski Championships took place at Emmarentia Dam, hosted by Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, on March 3.
It is the world’s only high altitude surf ski championships (HASSC), taking place hundreds of kilometres away from the surf and the ocean coastline, at very high altitude.
The race is a lot of fun with stand up paddlers (SUP) and a festive atmosphere.
The official surf ski race was a 10km course, while the SUPs were shorter and informal with a number of six-man crews on the large blow-up SUPs.
With bagpipes playing along the banks, ducks scuttling to get out of the way of the waves on a sunny day, a few blow-up sharks planted around the dam and a number of paddlers tipping over when hit by the side on waves, the day was full of laughter and fun.
A few participants from the East Rand, members of the ERK Club based at Homestead Dam in Benoni, decided to take on the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Pieter Engelbrecht, the club’s top 50 Dusi finisher, completing the 10km race in 52 minutes as the 13th single ski.
Dean Conrad from Kempton Park completed his race in 1 hour 6 minutes, and Grandmaster Chris Rowe finished in 1 hour 12 minutes.
