World’s highest surfski competition goes off without a hitch

Emmarentia Dam’s local canoe club, Dabulamanzi, has lodged an application with the Guinness World Book of Records for recognition for hosting the largest inland surfski race at the highest altitude.

The 12km race around the dam included circling motorboats to create waves, simulating a surfski sea race on 29 March.

With massive prizes and sponsorships, the race attracted South African and world marathon champion Hank McGregor who won the event, as well as Oscar Chalupsky, winner of every major surfski race in the world except the one in question.

Olympic bronze medal winner Bridgette Hartley partnered with multiple Dusi winner Andy Birkett to chase for second place in the doubles category.

With a hundred surfskis on the dam creating their own form of turbulence, the first finishing double ski was local club member Dave Hamilton-Brown, who has achieved some notable international marathon awards, and who partnered with Wayne Jacobs.