An exciting men’s division is all set to put on a great race at the annual Dischem Automall Pete Marlin Surfski event this weekend.A number of South Africa’s top paddlers will be competing in the popular race, with the women’s division especially strong which should lead to a fierce battle on the water.
“We don’t usually get so many good ladies, so this year we are very excited for the race which sees some of the best current and up-and-coming talent competing in the event,” said race organiser Charl van Wyk.
“It should be a great race.”
East London born and bred and currently Durban-based Nikki Russell will be leading the charge and, with her knowledge of the conditions and course, she should be odds-on favourite to claim the title.
“It’s very exciting, I am happy to be back racing in my hometown, it is going to be a lot of fun and a tough battle out on the water,” said Russell.
“I am looking forward to it and East London is just such a special and warm place with a great community so everyone coming down for the race will be in for a good time.”
Among the other impressive list of paddlers taking part are: Chloe Bunnett, who competes a lot internationally and Durban’s Jenna Ward, as well as Donna Tutton and Hayley Arthur, who will all be in the running.
Johannesburg’s Anna Clifford, and East London’s Daynie Loots will be battling it out for age group honours and they will also be in the mix, which makes for a great drawcard.
Loots just returned from the World Surfski champs in Tahiti, where she picked up a gold in her age category and on her home course will be looking to impress.
Defending woman champ Nikki Mocke has not made a definitive call on whether she will be back to defend her title due to family commitments. But according to men’s defending champ and her husband Dawid Mocke, if the wind blows, she will be here.
If Mocke does compete it will be one hell of a battle between her and two-time champ Russell, whose titles came in 2012 and 2013.
Russell, who claimed the win at the South African trials for the World Champs in Tahiti earlier this year in some good form and will be confident she can claim a third win in the race.
She should receive stiff competition from current U23 World Marathon champ Ward while Bunnett, Tutton and Arthur will also be pushing for top placings.
“Jenna Ward down from Durban, will be right up there, while Donna Tutton and Hayley Arthur are really strong along with Chloe Bunnett. So it’s going to be really good competition,” said Russell.
With an interesting men’s division also on the cards the singles race is set to be a cracker, while the doubles always throws up some great racing.
With the race very weather dependent a call on where and on what day the race will get under way will be made at a later stage.
Rowing warriors fired for battle
A number of South Africa’s top paddlers will be competing in the popular race, with the women’s division especially strong which should lead to a fierce battle on the water.
“We don’t usually get so many good ladies, so this year we are very excited for the race which sees some of the best current and up-and-coming talent competing in the event,” said race organiser Charl van Wyk.
“It should be a great race.”
East London born and bred and currently Durban-based Nikki Russell will be leading the charge and, with her knowledge of the conditions and course, she should be odds-on favourite to claim the title.
“It’s very exciting, I am happy to be back racing in my hometown, it is going to be a lot of fun and a tough battle out on the water,” said Russell.
“I am looking forward to it and East London is just such a special and warm place with a great community so everyone coming down for the race will be in for a good time.”
Among the other impressive list of paddlers taking part are: Chloe Bunnett, who competes a lot internationally and Durban’s Jenna Ward, as well as Donna Tutton and Hayley Arthur, who will all be in the running.
Johannesburg’s Anna Clifford, and East London’s Daynie Loots will be battling it out for age group honours and they will also be in the mix, which makes for a great drawcard.
Loots just returned from the World Surfski champs in Tahiti, where she picked up a gold in her age category and on her home course will be looking to impress.
Defending woman champ Nikki Mocke has not made a definitive call on whether she will be back to defend her title due to family commitments. But according to men’s defending champ and her husband Dawid Mocke, if the wind blows, she will be here.
If Mocke does compete it will be one hell of a battle between her and two-time champ Russell, whose titles came in 2012 and 2013.
Russell, who claimed the win at the South African trials for the World Champs in Tahiti earlier this year in some good form and will be confident she can claim a third win in the race.
She should receive stiff competition from current U23 World Marathon champ Ward while Bunnett, Tutton and Arthur will also be pushing for top placings.
“Jenna Ward down from Durban, will be right up there, while Donna Tutton and Hayley Arthur are really strong along with Chloe Bunnett. So it’s going to be really good competition,” said Russell.
With an interesting men’s division also on the cards the singles race is set to be a cracker, while the doubles always throws up some great racing.
With the race very weather dependent a call on where and on what day the race will get under way will be made at a later stage.
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