Fresh innovations for surfski series

AN earlier start, additional race, all-new team challenge and a fresh and online entry portal will see the popular Bay Union Surfski Series’ trend of growth and innovation continue in 2015 when racing gets underway with the Bay Union Grading Race this Sunday, 19 April at 9am.

A combination of fresh ideas and the series’ reputation hosting top quality events in idyllic paddling conditions is set to see hundreds of paddlers converge on Marine Surf Lifesaving Club (SLC) at Addington Beach this weekend for the first contest of the popular winter series.

“We are extremely excited to kick start the third edition of the Bay Union Surfski Series this weekend at Marine. A lot of work has gone into ensuring we continue from where we left off at the end of last year’s series while we have also looked to keep things fresh, exciting and as user-friendly as possible,” said series coordinator Barry Lewin.

The introduction of the Bay Union Dairy Challenge at Durban Surf Lifesaving Club at Dairy Beach on Sunday 10 May will add a new dimension to this year’s calendar and Lewin believes the new event will complement the series’ four existing fixtures.

Through the backing of title sponsors Bay Union Financial Services and major contributors Lion of Africa Insurance, this year’s series is set to introduce another exciting new concept in the shape of the Bay Union Team Challenge.

“We believe it has the potential to go a long way in recognizing the races-within-the-races that go on behind the racing snakes on a weekly basis. Paddlers enter a team of four for all five races of the series. Each team member then paddles in each race of the series and is awarded points according to when they finish within their grade. Each week their team’s best three scores then contribute to their series points tally and at the end of the series we will be giving away a whopping R20000 to the top teams across the three categories – sponsored, mixed and club/non-sponsored,” explained Lewin.

Once again there is no series entry fee, or any added late entry fees. There are multiple ways in which paddlers can enter a race or even the whole series.

While many weekend warriors ready themselves for this Sunday’s charge, the sharp end of the field are also eagerly eyeing out their first clash of the new winter season.

The 2014’s men’s title was claimed by the now career-focused Grant van der Walt after the youngster’s consistent form throughout and regular men’s front-runners Hank McGregor and Matt Bouman’s busy international calendars.

McGregor and Bouman however enjoyed yet another hard-fought tussle throughout the summer’s Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series and with this year’s winter programme set to commence two weeks earlier, the pair look to set to go head to head once more this winter.

Last year’s Bay Union Surfski Series saw young Jenna Ward claim her maiden series crown and the defending champ has been in tremendous form since and will be hoping to stake another solid claim for this year’s spoils.

The darling of Durban’s surfski community, Michelle Burn is however back once more and the 2013 series title winner will be undoubtedly be eager to prove her class once more.