Winter surfski series kicks-off in style in Durban
The series has become popular over the years as paddlers enjoy a number of different races that take them to different parts of the Durban coastline.
THE Durban Winter Surfski Series got underway on Sunday with paddlers reveling in good conditions.
Race one of the series, The Marine Grading Race, saw KZN north coast paddler Hank McGregor claim honours in the men’s race, while Glen Anil resident, Michelle Burn, won in the women’s event.
Following an injury lay-off, Burn confirmed her return to competitive surfski racing by winning by a significant margin. Tatum Botha finished the women’s race in second while it was Debbie Gillet in third.
McGregor, the newly crowned SA champion continued where he left off after the national championships last week and finished over two minutes ahead of uMhlangas Matt Bouman in second while young Matthew Coetzer ended in third.
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For McGregor it was a good first hit out of the series and he was happy with his efforts in some good conditions off Addington Beach on Sunday morning.
“I had a great race against a quality field that came together for this season opener. I had to go out hard and make sure that I was ahead of the leading female. I got away early from Matthew Bouman, Matt Coetzer and Luke Nisbet on the first downwind leg of the two lap course and then just worked on the gap and it increased throughout the race. It was great to start with a win and I am looking forward to the other races in the series,” he said.
The winter series consists of five races which will see paddlers take on the Marine Golden Mile Challenge, the famous Bay Union King of the Bay, the world’s oldest surfski race the SBS Tanks Pirates Umhlanga Pirates and finishing off with the Scottburgh2Brighton.
The next race of the series is the Marine Golden Mile Challenge which takes place on Sunday, May 22.
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