Paddlers were victorious in the annual Discovery Surfers Challenge despite gruelling sea conditions caused by erratic changes in wind direction on Saturday.
Paddleski doubles Andrew Carter and Brendon Thompson paddled in first, while Nkosinathi Nzingo and Myrette Brink won the men’s and women’s categories.
Ian Reid of National Sea Rescue said big seas had scuppered four paddleskiers at the Kwelera river mouth start.
“There was quite a surf chop so two paddlers pulled out because the surf was too big and another two had their skis damaged.”
And, while some paddlers opted to launch at Glengariff instead, double ski competitors and veteran Surfers participants Angus and Sophia Warren went out at Yellow Sands and were beaten back by powerful waves.
“A set caught us and washed us up on the rocks,” said Sophia. “It was quite scary and the boat filled up with water. After 20 minutes of trying to hold the boat off the rocks, Angus got it onto the beach.”
Undeterred, the couple decided to compete anyway and ran the race barefoot, collecting their coveted orange T-shirts with the iconic Surfers logo at the Nahoon Beach finish.
Johannesburg draughtsman Charlie Krantz, 57, also wore his Surfers T-shirt with pride.
“I have been coming down for five years to do the Surfers. This is my home town and I wear the T-shirts until they are worn out.”
Thembela Makaula, 36, who ran the 17.5km race, turned heads in a Springbok hide peak cap and leopard skin print tank top.
“I am a Zulu and I’m proud of my heritage and descendants. It’s an African race so I wanted to add an African feel.”
For first-time competitors occupational therapist Petra van der Pol, 25, and NGO health manager Amy Whiting, 29, who trained for the race on the undulating hills near Zithulele Hospital where they both work, running at the coast was a challenge.
“It was very rocky and slippery after the rain, but the views and the people got us through and we achieved our goal of two hours. It was great getting roses at the finish line – we could really feel the Valentine spirit.”
Also clutching a scarlet rose was Amalinda car wash owner Wanda Ntsabo, 34, who insisted on a flower even though they were reserved for women competitors.
“We also deserve flowers,” he laughed.
Andrea Ranger, 33, of Kei Road, who was the third woman in, described the weather conditions as excellent, an opinion shared by many.
“It was lovely. We had a tail wind and it was cool,” said Ranger of her 16th Surfers race.
A new element of yesterday’s run was the introduction of the eco-friendly #RunClean campaign which encouraged competitors not to fling water sachets on the beach.
Paddlers beat runners to the finish
Paddleski doubles Andrew Carter and Brendon Thompson paddled in first, while Nkosinathi Nzingo and Myrette Brink won the men’s and women’s categories.
Ian Reid of National Sea Rescue said big seas had scuppered four paddleskiers at the Kwelera river mouth start.
“There was quite a surf chop so two paddlers pulled out because the surf was too big and another two had their skis damaged.”
And, while some paddlers opted to launch at Glengariff instead, double ski competitors and veteran Surfers participants Angus and Sophia Warren went out at Yellow Sands and were beaten back by powerful waves.
“A set caught us and washed us up on the rocks,” said Sophia. “It was quite scary and the boat filled up with water. After 20 minutes of trying to hold the boat off the rocks, Angus got it onto the beach.”
Undeterred, the couple decided to compete anyway and ran the race barefoot, collecting their coveted orange T-shirts with the iconic Surfers logo at the Nahoon Beach finish.
Johannesburg draughtsman Charlie Krantz, 57, also wore his Surfers T-shirt with pride.
“I have been coming down for five years to do the Surfers. This is my home town and I wear the T-shirts until they are worn out.”
Thembela Makaula, 36, who ran the 17.5km race, turned heads in a Springbok hide peak cap and leopard skin print tank top.
“I am a Zulu and I’m proud of my heritage and descendants. It’s an African race so I wanted to add an African feel.”
For first-time competitors occupational therapist Petra van der Pol, 25, and NGO health manager Amy Whiting, 29, who trained for the race on the undulating hills near Zithulele Hospital where they both work, running at the coast was a challenge.
“It was very rocky and slippery after the rain, but the views and the people got us through and we achieved our goal of two hours. It was great getting roses at the finish line – we could really feel the Valentine spirit.”
Also clutching a scarlet rose was Amalinda car wash owner Wanda Ntsabo, 34, who insisted on a flower even though they were reserved for women competitors.
“We also deserve flowers,” he laughed.
Andrea Ranger, 33, of Kei Road, who was the third woman in, described the weather conditions as excellent, an opinion shared by many.
“It was lovely. We had a tail wind and it was cool,” said Ranger of her 16th Surfers race.
A new element of yesterday’s run was the introduction of the eco-friendly #RunClean campaign which encouraged competitors not to fling water sachets on the beach.
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