Salt Rock’s Hank McGregor notched his second win in race four of the Wall and Back Surfski Series in Durban last Friday.

The Flatwater Marathon World Champion faced world class competitors including Jasper Mocké from the Western Cape, Australia’s Josh Kippen, river ace Len Jenkins and Durban’s contingent of ace paddlers. Despite the formidable competition, McGregor steamed home for a hard-earned win.
“It was a fantastic field and it was nice to be able to beat a guy like Jasper (Mocké) who has been competing in races around the world for the past few months and has not lost a race since World Champs,” said McGregor.
“I managed to get away from the group on the way back (to Pirates SLC from the harbour wall) but then I missed a run as I turned for the beach and the guys behind me all hoped onto the next one so I just had to put my head down and paddle hard,” McGregor explained.
Western Cape visitor Mocké who was in KZN for Sunday’s Ozzie Gladwin Canoe Marathon, had to settle for third after he fell out of his surfski at the closing stage of the race.
“Its great being up here and able to take part in a Durban surfski event with such a strong field. That was a world class field and to think it was just a Friday evening race is incredible!” said Mocké.
Matt Bouman came in second in the men’s category.
Michelle Burn claimed first place for the women. Her nearest rivals struggled in the large yet manageable surf.

“That surf in the beginning was tricky but fortunately I got out cleanly and then just put my head down and went for it. I didn’t look back once,” said Burn.
Wayne Wilson and Lance Howarth overcome the masters duo of Gavin Searle and Linton Hope in the doubles category. Meanwhile Gene Prato of Glenwood High School claimed the spoils for the juniors – his fourth consecutive victory of the series in his age group.
The fifth and penultimate race of the Illovo Suncoast Wall and Back Surfski Series takes place on Friday, November 15 at 5.30pm at Pirates Lifesaving club at Battery Beach.