Big field for summer surfski series opener

SURFSKI paddlers turned out in numbers to celebrate the return of the popular Marine Surfski Series at Addington Beach on Friday night, with the onshore Easterly winds providing an entertaining offshore challenge.

The double ski duo of Bevan Manson and Brett Hadiaris took line honours at the end of a thrilling duel with former series champion Matt Bouman, decided in the unforgiving midbreak off Marine SLC that saw Bouman spun sideways and eventually dunked out of his single ski, leaving the door open for the doubles crew to scamper to the beach finish.

Nic Burden and Paul Rabinowitz took third from Richard Lowe and Jason Ekstrand and the single ski of Brandon van der Walt, who was another to take a pounding in the surf at the finish.

Michelle Burn used her years of accumulated ocean racing skills to get away from Jenna Ward in the women’s race, with teenager Saskia Hockly snapping at their heels throughout the race.

Once racing again on the two lap triangular course, Bouman was the dominant force in amongst four double skis, as they bounced through the two meter swell driven by the onshore Easterly wind.

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Bouman was the canniest of the lead group at the turn-can at the end of the first lap and scampered away to take the lead alone, putting pressure on the double skis in the vanguard.

With a hefty mid-break and shore break crunching onto the sandbank in the final few metres of the paddle, Bouman came into the surfline and was caught by a wave, and despite valiantly trying to stay in his ski while being hammered in the surf, he eventually capsized and could only watch in frustration as the double ski crew of Manson and Hadriaris, on a different line, powered to the beach and ran up to the finish line.

Women’s race winner Michelle Burn said that the onshore swell had made for testing conditions, but that the elite racers had relished the opportunity to compete again.

Race Two takes place this coming Friday night 19 February at 5:30pm.

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