Boksburg represented at Gauteng Surf Ski Championships
The official surf ski race was a 10km course, while the stand-up paddlers were shorter and informal.
The Gauteng Surf Ski Championships take place annually at the Emmarentia Dam and are hosted by Dabulamanzi Canoe Club.
Claimed to be the world’s only high altitude tournament, the championships were held earlier this month, hundreds of kilometres away from the coastline.
The race is a lot of fun with stand-up paddlers (originally from Hawaii beach surf) and a festive atmosphere.
With bagpipes playing along the banks and ducks scuttling to get out of the way of the waves on a sunny day, as well as a few blow-up sharks planted around the dam, and a number of paddlers tipping over when hit by the side on waves, the day was full of laughter and fun.
A few participants from the East Rand including members of the ERK club, based at Homestead Dam in Benoni, decided to take on the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed it with Pieter Engelbrecht – their top 50 Dusi finisher – completing the 10km race in 52 minutes, as the 13th single ski.
Meanwhile, Dean Conrad completed his race in 1 hour, six minutes, and grandmaster Chris Rowe from Boksburg, finished in 1 hour 12 minutes. – @SabeloBoksburg
