THE revival edition of the popular Illovo Suncoast Wall and Back Surfski Series got underway in fittingly dramatic fashion on Friday, 18 October, as Mother Nature served up a cruel combination of testing surf, lumpy seas, cold temperatures, strong winds and persistent drizzle however not even the weather god’s harsh blend could put a dampener on proceeding for Hank McGregor and Nikki Russell as they claimed race one victories in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
With the unpredictable shore break, large mid-break and testing backline combo of surf conditions countless paddlers took some time to come to terms with the conditions on their way out with many getting entangled with their fellow paddlers in the process, McGregor and eventual third place finisher van der Walt being two on the receiving end of some early race carnage.
“It was pretty messy on the way out and I had to punch a couple of waves as we headed out through the pretty tricky surf,” explained McGregor afterwards.
“The conditions certainly weren’t easy but that is typical of the great series the Wall and Back is. You know it’s probably going to be pretty tough paddling most weeks of the series but it’s still always such great fun and it’s great that the series is back again this year.”
On the women’s front, Durban North resident Nikki Russell was one of only a handful of female paddlers to bravely front up to the conditions and, even despite paddling well past the finish line due to the dark and gloomy conditions, claimed the early advantage in the women’s series log with her opening race victory.
“That was the most insane paddle,” enthused Russell afterwards. “I absolutely loved it. I got in and out through the surf cleanly, it was bumpy with a few runs in both directions, it was just amazing and I’m so glad to be back in my ski again.”
Race two of the Illovo Suncoast Wall and Back Surfski Series takes place on Friday 25 November at Suncoast Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club at battery beach. For more information visit www.wallandback.co.za
