Lewin snatches dramatic win
Barry Lewin paddles to his first victory of downwind series.
EMDLOTI’S Barry Lewin took full advantage of a mishap right on the finish line to sneak a win over Wade Krieger in the Seabreeze Build It Five Beaches Surfski race on Sunday. The event was the second race of the five-leg FNB Durban Downwind Surfski Series.
Krieger had been the dominant paddler throughout the 20km race from Wydenham to Amanzimtoti, and led Lewin as they turned into the surf for the finish at Toti lagoon, where he misjudged a wave on a shallow sandbank, breaking the tail of his ski.
Lewin, who was right behind him, paddled past the floundering Krieger to the beach, ran the short section of beach to the lagoon and paddled home to the Toti Canoe Clubhouse to claim the win.
“It was pretty lucky,” conceded Lewin. “Wade was really strong and I couldn’t believe my luck when I came past him in the surf at Toti.”
“It was a great battle today,” said Krieger. “Barry was so strong in the middle of the race when he caught me, and he was gracious enough to help me with tips on where to go. He fully deserved the win.”
Predictably, Michelle Burn waltzed home to win the women’s race on local waters, showing her form and local knowledge as she bagged an excellent 12th place overall.
The field revelled in the superb conditions, with small surf and flat ocean conditions making it very novice-friendly for the classic race which is held each year in honour of Toti paddling icon, Sam Wyer.
Many of the paddlers were treated to an ocean spectacle, spotting dolphins, small sharks and gamefish, as well as sardines beaching.
“KZN really rolled out its finest South Coast welcome today,” said Lewin. “It was magnificent out there, adding to the phenomenal hospitality from the Toti Canoe Club crowd and their superb organisation. It all added up to a magical day for surfski racing.”
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