Toti canoeists paddle ‘town clowns’ in 5 Beaches surfski race
Gene Prato won the singles race with Quintin Rutherford and his partner Adam Nisbet winning the doubles.
AMANZIMTOTI Canoe Club hosted the 5 Beaches Surfski race on Sunday, 1 June.
The 5 Beaches race was pioneered by the late Sam Wyer to lay down a tough challenge to surf skiers, especially the ‘town clowns’ as the mild Durban paddlers were known back then.
This year the race was held in near perfect sea and weather conditions with all five beaches being included.
Starting at Umkomaas the paddlers had compulsory beach turns at Karridene, Winklespruit and Warner Beach, finishing just south of the Toti lagoon. Toti Canoe Club members took a host of prizes.
Gene Prato won the singles race with Quintin Rutherford and his partner Adam Nisbet winning the doubles. Gavin Smith took the masters category honours. The next local ski races on the calendar are the Rho-Tech downwind on 29 June and the Winkle race on 13 July.
