Paddlers shine at Mother’s Day surfski race
Second race sees new face lay claim to the top spot for the men's Bay Union Surfski Series.
THE action of Sunday 11 May’s Lion of Africa Surfski Challenge, race two of the 2014 Bay Union Surfski Series, took place amidst a celebratory Mother’s Day atmosphere at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club with evergreen performer and uMhalnga resident, Matt Bouman, opening his series’ account in style with victory in the men’s race while rising under-23 star and Mt Edgecombe resident, Jenna Ward made it two wins from two in the women’s division.
Paddlers were greeted by overcast skies and glassy, lake-like sea conditions and, as a small thank you to all from the popular winter series, every mom attending the second event of the four-leg series received a beautiful Mother’s Day rose.
Having missed the opening event, Bouman showed he still has the raw power and strength to grind out a physically demanding victory as he narrowly edged out Durban North’s Grant van der Walt.
“Racing was tough out there today!” said Bouman afterwards. “As always, racing against Grant (van der Walt) here is as tough as racing at any World Cup event around the world. My game pIan was to try get him to have to push a little harder than he would like for as long as possible and fortunately that seemed to result in me having the better of him, just, for most of the way,” he said.
Jenna Ward continued from where she left off in race one, the Bay Union Season Starter, last weekend when she again got the better of Nikki Russell in the women’s clash.
The unique McCarthy Toyota Umhlanga King of the Bay race, race three of the Bay Union Surfski Series, takes place at 9am on Sunday 18 May and offers paddlers a rare opportunity to paddle across Durban’s harbour and out the harbour mouth as they make their way from Stella Canoe Club to Marine SLC.
Visit www.pitchandpaddle.co.za for more info.
