Paddlers celebrate World Ocean Day
The day’s conditions were fantastic for the 16km race.
Paddlers were treated to a visit by shoals of sardines on World Ocean Day (June 8) as they competed in the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge from Scottburgh Main Beach to Aliwal Shoal (MPA) and back.
It was Michelle Burn (Umhlanga) and Matthew Bouman (Umhlanga) who took the top titles, while Deirdre Bentley (Amanzimtoti) and Kwanele Banda (Umgababa) won the doubles event.
“What a spectacular addition, having the Sardine Run coincide with the surfski challenge as we celebrate World Ocean Day,” said Barry Lewin, event organiser and race director.
“A huge congratulations to all our competitors for such an impressive display of skill and to our fantastic sponsors for another successful event.”
The day’s conditions were fantastic for the 16km race. There were exhilarating downwind conditions for the race home.
Michelle Burn said the spectators brought some great energy to Scottburgh.
“The wind came a little earlier than expected, so we had a tough headwind to paddle into at the start, but knowing that we were being rewarded with a good downwind coming back made it very manageable. It was a great race – I loved it as usual,” she said.
Matt Bouman agreed, saying it was great to be back on the KZN South Coast.
“My race took an interesting turn when I hooked a fishing line with my rudder while rounding the pool at Scottburgh,” he said.
“I had to jump off and untangle it, so I spent a long stretch chasing the leaders. Both Luke [Nisbet] and Brent [Chiazzari] were paddling strongly and handled the very lumpy headwind well.”
“At the halfway mark, we paused briefly as it took a moment to spot the turning buoy anchored off Rocky Bay Point. After the turn, it was paddling utopia – the runs and swell lined up perfectly for a short, fast and incredibly fun paddle home.”
The results are as follows:
Men’s race
1st: Matthew Bouman
2nd: Brent Chiazzari
3rd: Luke Nisbet
4th: Barry Lewin
5th: Luke O’Connor
6th: Jacques Theron
7th: Bryce Lawson
8th: Jayden Jansen van Rensburg
9th: Shaun Burgin
10th: Mat Carlisle
Women’s race
1st: Michelle Burn
2nd: Mikaila Brown
3rd: Tracey Nuss
Double’s race
1st: Deirdre Bentley and Kwanele Banda
2nd: Thabani Msia and Siyanda Gwamanda
3rd: Lindokuhle Maphumulo and Bongani Ntinga
4th: Steven Jones and Marc Diamond
5th: Craig Smith and Robyn McGregor
6th: Jeannie Dreyer and Martin Dreyer
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