Lifesaver Luke takes top honours
North Beach played host to lifesaving professionals and enthusiasts as Red Bull Beach Patrol saw competitors take to the warm waters of Durban.
THE second edition of Red Bull Beach Patrol on Durban’s famous North Beach produced non-stop action for more than 900 spectators who gathered on the beachfront as prominent Durban Lifesaver Luke Nisbet took the title.
The starting field of over 80 participants whittled down over the three preliminary legs, with only 33 making it to the traditional lifesaving ‘iron-man’ final.
“It was a great day all-round even though paddling conditions were a bit flat,” Nisbet said after his win. “I really started feeling it during the run after the surfski leg of the final – the support on the pier was awesome and really pushed me on to the end.”
Krieger, though dominant in the preliminary rounds, couldn’t hold off Nisbet who started the final with a strong swim and increased his gap over the field through the finale.
“It’s great to win an event like this against such a top class field. This event is great for the local lifesavers because it gives guys the chance to showcase their skills over a format that is so unique to the sport.”
The typically warm Durban winter weather provided the ideal environment for action-packed racing as top lifesavers tested their mettle against a variety of other athletes in an exciting format.
