Paddle power set to add mystique to the big race
The challenge will be to master the erratic elements
THE many months of preparation for the 2018 Discovery Surfers Challenge culminate in success or failure on the Nahoon Beach this afternoon.
Be it the might of the original Surfers from Kwelera Mouth to Nahoon, the paddle race from the Orient Beach to Nahoon, the watered down affair from Gonubie Hotel to Nahoon or the Junior Surfers, the participants in each are expectant, many are nervous, but most are up for the challenge that lies ahead of them.
The 17.5km from Kwelera incorporates rocks, loose boulders, stones, shingle and soft sand, not to mention the two rivers to cross – the Gonubie and Nahoon.
This is the course that made Surfers an event many aspired to compete in.
This is the race that made folk legends out of those who have completed 40 or more.
The likes of Dougie Kunhardt, Alastair Phillips, Mickey Webb and Glen Cunningham were there at the 1975 inaugural Surfers. They were still there at the finish in 2017. All were Surfers of the ocean, though all have run a fair bit in their lifetimes.
The run has been well covered but what of the paddle? For many years they would brave incredible elements but with safety rightly the key issue in modern times they will be paddling downwind today.
We spoke to leading paddler Andrew Carter about this and here is what he had to say.
“Over the past few years the paddlers have experienced some harsh ocean conditions with big waves and strong winds . This year the weather once again looks unpredictable and the course may again be changed to accommodate a strong headwind (has now been confirmed as Orient to Nahoon).
“Conditions favour certain paddlers over others and the youthful combination of Mathew Fenn and Jordy Malherbe in the double-ski class will be a hard team to beat no matter what the weather or ocean conditions."
Past winners in the single ski class, Andrew Carter, Hennie Roos or Bevan Manson are likely to be the most dominant in the paddle.
Carter however says that “the likes of Christian Callebaut, Andre Wood and Keith Fenn should never be written off and could also be in the mix”.
There are also a number of mixed doubles, father/son, mother/daughter and other such combinations who get into the hype of the race. The 17.5km starts at 2.30pm, the shorter 11+km and junior event at 1.45pm.