South Africa\u2019s top paddlers were treated to a visit by shoals of silver sardines on World Ocean Day (Sunday, 8 June) 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, KZN) and Matthew Bouman (Umhlanga, KZN) who took the top titles, while Deirdre Bentley (Amanzimtoti) and Kwanele Banda (Umgababa) won the doubles event of this hotly-contested race that saw the culmination of Ocean Festival, running from 5 to 8 June.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a spectacular addition, having the Sardine Run coincide with the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge as we celebrate World Ocean Day,\u201d commented Barry Lewin, Event Organiser and Race Director. \u201cA huge congratulations to all our competitors for such an impressive display of skill and to our fantastic sponsors for another successful Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the day\u2019s conditions were fantastic for the 16km race: \u201cWe had exhilarating downwind conditions for the race home, so the paddlers had a great time. From the Event Organiser\u2019s perspective, it couldn\u2019t have gone better, with the ocean delivering on a day that is earmarked for celebrating marine life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paddlers Praise Race Conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking after the event, Michelle Burn said the spectators brought some great energy to Scottburgh: \u201cThe 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 \u2013 I loved it as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Bouman agreed, saying it was great to be back on the KZN South Coast: \u201cThe event is driven by so many good people and their genuinely positive initiatives! The water was warm, clean, and calm as we began our warmups, after which, the anticipated south-westerly had already started blowing, which made for a fun and challenging race.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the win wasn\u2019t without challenge: \u201cMy race took an interesting turn when I hooked a fishing line with my rudder while rounding the pool at Scottburgh. 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAt 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\u2014the runs and swell lined up perfectly for a short, fast, and incredibly fun paddle home.\u201d<\/p>\n Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge Results<\/strong><\/p>\n Men\u2019s Race<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st: Matthew Bouman Women\u2019s Race<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st: Michelle Burn Double\u2019s Race<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st: Deirdre Bentley and Kwanele Banda Ocean Festival Events<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge, Ocean Festival visitors enjoyed a variety of planned events and activities suited to all ages.<\/p>\n These included:<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks were extended to Ocean Festival sponsors: Halfway Group, Leatherback Rum, and the Pumpsmith.
\n2nd: Brent Chiazzari
\n3rd: Luke Nisbet
\n4th: Barry Lewin
\n5th: Luke O\u2019Connor
\n6th: Jacques Theron
\n7th: Bryce Lawson
\n8th: Jayden Jansen van Rensburg
\n9th: Shaun Burgin
\n10th: Mat Carlisle<\/p>\n
\n2nd: Mikaila Brown
\n3rd: Tracey Nuss<\/p>\n
\n2nd: Thabani Msia and Siyanda Gwamanda
\n3rd: Lindokuhle Maphumulo and Bongani Ntinga
\n4th: Steven Jones and Marc Diamond
\n5th: Craig Smith and Robyn McGregor
\n6th: Jeannie Dreyer and Martin Dreyer<\/p>\n\n
\nCheck @theoceanfestival on Instagram and Facebook, and www.oceanfestival.co.za website for the most updated Ocean Festival programme details. Contact Barry Lewin on Barry@oceanfestival.global for more on the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge.<\/p>\n