Surfski paddlers share ocean with Greatest Shoal on Earth

While runners were competing in the Ultimate Human Race on land on Sunday, paddlers participating in the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge shared the ocean with runners of a different kind – the sardine run.

The 16km paddle race goes from Scottburgh Main Beach to the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA) and back, and this year coincided with World Ocean Day.

Michelle Burn and Matthew Bouman, both from uMhlanga, took the top titles, while Deirdre Bentley (Amanzimtoti) and Kwanele Banda (uMgababa) won the doubles event of this hotly-contested race that ran from 5 to 8 June.

“What a spectacular addition, having the sardine run coincide with the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge as we celebrate World Ocean Day,” commented 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 challenge.”

“We had exhilarating downwind conditions for the race home, so the paddlers had a great time. From the event organiser’s perspective, it couldn’t have gone better, with the ocean delivering on a day that is earmarked for celebrating marine life.”

Results
Men’s race
1st: Matthew Bouman
2nd: Brent Chiazzari
3rd: Luke Nisbet

Women’s race
1st: Michelle Burn
2nd: Mikaila Brown
3rd: Tracey Nuss

Doubles
1st: Deirdre Bentley and Kwanele Banda
2nd: Thabani Msia and Siyanda Gwamanda
3rd: Lindokuhle Maphumulo and Bongani Ntinga

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