High Altitude Surf Ski Championships
SANDTON - Sandton resident Wayne Jacobs participated in the Highest Altitude Surf ski Race in the World at Emmarentia Dam.
The 12km race around the 1km perimeter dam was made exciting by motorboats circling to create waves simulating a surfski sea race.
With massive prize money and sponsorships, the race attracted the world and South African marathon champion Hank McGregor who won the event, as well as Oscar Chalupsky, the winner of every major surf ski race in the world, except the high altitude one in Johannesburg.
Olympic bronze medal winner Bridgette Hartley partnered with multiple Dusi winner, Andy Birkett to chase for second place in the doubles category.
Emmarentia Dam’s canoe club, Dabulamanzi, has applied for Guinness Book of Records recognition for being the largest inland surf ski race with the highest altitude. With 100 surf skis on the dam creating their own form of turbulence, the first finishing double ski was club member Dave Hamilton-Brown partnered with Jacobs, who has achieved some notable international marathon awards. Octogenarian Tony Lightfoot who was kitted out in his lifesaver outfit from the ’40s, including the bathing cap, was the lifeguard on duty.
