AS this year’s Prescient Freedom Paddle edges closer, the partnerships are taking shape, and one of the women’s crews to watch will be the veteran/youngster crew of Michelle Burn and Saskia Hockly.
The north Durban pair have decided to team up for the 27km shoot-out from Oceana Power Boat Club, around the iconic Robben Island and back, on Thursday, April 27, and they will no doubt be one of the crews vying for the women’s crown on Freedom Day.
The duo have history together having teamed up to win the SA S2 Championships in 2021.
Burn won the Freedom Paddle in 2019 – with Hayley Nixon – so she has tasted success at the race. Hockly, who is making big strides in the national paddling circles, is eager to team up with the veteran for the Freedom Day race.
Read also: Glen Anil resident surfs to KZN crown
“Mich and I have an awesome relationship, and it’s just great for me that I can jump in a double with her after everything she has achieved in her paddling career. We get along well and paddle well together, and I’m really excited to see how we do this year against a really strong field of women paddlers.”
It’s been a quiet start to 2023 for Hockly who raced the N3TC Drak Challenge in January but has been keeping occupied with races and events locally as she now looks to the rest of the year.
“I took some time off after Cape Point Challenge, but I’m definitely back into training again now, and I feel like I am ready for the race. I haven’t been racing that much. I did the Drak Challenge and Lifesaving Nationals, along with some local series races, but that’s about it from a paddling front. I’m excited to kickstart my competitive season with the Freedom Paddle, and it’s going to be tough with the return of Bridg (Hartley) and Pips (McGregor), who have been training really hard for the Molokai later this year. Kira Bester and Candice Murray have also entered, and we know that they can paddle like champions, so the competition will definitely make the race exciting.”
Taking on the 27km round trip, which takes in one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks, makes the race special, however, there is another element that makes the Freedom Paddle a race to remember.
Read also: Conservationist urges Durbanites to make a splash for World Oceans Day Swim
This year, like years gone by, will attract the best of the best to Cape Town, and with such a strong as well as a large field, the Freedom Paddle continues to grow into one of the premier paddling events in South Africa.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
