Inflatables deliver thrills and spills

A spectacular finish to the ten day long Amanzi Challenge

It was adrenaline-pumping action all the way as the sounds of roaring engines filled the air during the Thunder Cat National Inflatable Boat Racing at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge last weekend.

The event saw competitors from as far afield as Cape Town taking part in the races at Port Alfred’s East Beach, starting with a surf race on Saturday and the Barnacles RSAH Amanzi Challenge long-haul on Sunday.

The long-haul race was competed over 16 laps with boats starting at Putt Bridge and heading toward the river mouth where they turned back toward Putt Bridge to complete a lap.

For those who have never experienced the excitement, the roar of engines and the sight of inflatable boats speeding down the river in excess of 100km/h, this was a thrilling experience and spectators lined the river bank in order to get a good view of the powerful inflatables.

The weather was also perfect for the pilots and co-pilots and spectators were happy to experience for themselves the excitement that accompanies the sport.

Gugulethu Adam, sports development deputy director at the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, said they decided to sponsor 2018’s event because they wanted to become part of this

marginalised sport.

“This year’s RSAH Amanzi Challenge was bigger and we are proud to be sponsors of this beautiful sport,” Adam said.

“We started with a scale [sic] of R200,000 this year, [and] we will continue next year as well, and also consider giving more.

“We want this event to be bigger and better next year.

“We want to host it as a province but also on a national level.”

Martin Bekker, owner of title sponsor the Royal St Andrews Hotel, announced the winners at the prizegiving ceremony on Sunday evening and thanked all who participated.

“It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend. It’s been absolutely amazing having you guys participating.

“I am so sorry for those who sustained injuries during the race, [and] I am so sorry for your pain, but you guys love that,” Bekker said.

Long haul and overall winners of the race were pilot Hugo Erasmus, with co-pilot Raynor Becker.

In second place were pilot Marc Gleed, with his co-pilot Wiltas Leeuwner.

Both teams also received the Barnacle Challenge Phil Kolbe Memorial Trophy.

WATER ACTION: One of the competing craft roaring through the waves and into the air at the rubber duck surf race on Saturday at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge at East Beach

Pictures: NTOMBI MSUTU RUBBER DUCK CHAMPS: Receiving their trophies for the long haul and as overall winners in the rubber duck racing last weekend are, from left, Hugo Erasmus and Raynor Becker, with BS Sports CEO Zwelinzima Nkwinti and Royal St Andrews Hotel owner Martin Bekker presenting the prizes, and the second-placed pair of Marc Gleed and Wiltas Leeuwner