SUP King of the Bay

On Freedom Day stand up paddlers (SUP) took to the water in the McCarthy Toyota King of the Bay SUP race alongside the surfski paddlers as part of the Bay Union Surfski series.

The paddlers were greeted with beautiful, calm conditions and a light breeze which made easier the task of tackling the route from the harbour’s silt canal, across Africa’s largest and busiest port and out the harbour mouth to Marine Surf Lifesaving Club.

Former Salt Rock local Chris Couve nailed a well-deserved second place, just behind the South African men’s number one stand up paddler from Cape Town, Dylan Frick.

Stephen Lawson from Durban came third.

This was the third time the King of the Bay, originally only a surfski race, included stand up paddlers.

“We are trying to get more and more SUP races going, so at the moment we are just going along with the surfski races,” said Couve who has a strong surfski paddling background.

“I really hoped to take the King of the Bay title home but when I heard Dylan was also coming down, I knew I will probably have to settle for second!” said Couve.

Couve said more people are getting into stand up paddling as a form of outdoor activity and good exercise.

“It is so easy to start with stand up paddling and it is great for the whole family.”

Couve first tried out stand up paddling two years ago, but only considered competing professionally since December.