Paddling action kicks into high gear on Saturday as the annual Pete Marlin Surfski race gets under way in the city.
It is the 28th edition of the popular race and paddlers from across the country will come down to take part, with this year’s race also being the South African and Eastern Cape Surfski champs, to add an extra dose of competitiveness to the event.
It will also be a world series race, with full points on offer. This will bring around 10 international paddlers from Spain, Sweden, Dubai, France, Israel and Namibia.
On the world series log, East London-raised paddler Kyle Friedenstein is currently ranked sixth, the third highest from SA, with Jasper Mocke in second place and Dawid Mocke lying fifth at the moment.
All three, as well as SA marathon canoeing legend Hank Mcgregor, currently ranked eighth, will be pushing for top placings for maximum points to add to their world series tallies.
“With it being SA champs and a world series event I would say that it is my biggest race of the year,” said Friedenstein.
“It is my first year competing on the world series and, although I am currently ranked sixth, I think that going into the last few races of the year there is going to be a lot of shuffling on the list. So if I can hold on to a place in the top 10 I will be very happy.”
Friedenstein, who after leaving East London studied in Durban before moving down to Cape Town, will know the course and conditions here well and he will be aiming to use that to his advantage this weekend.
He will be racing the doubles on Sunday with last year’s SA and Pete Marlin champ Dawid Mocke, but will be hoping to beat him in the singles the day before.
“East London is a beautiful place to have a downwind race. The coastline is perfectly placed for the wind. Just wherever it is blowing there is a place to go downwind,” said Friedenstein.
“It just has a wild feel to it. You have the big reef and the huge swell and it is just an exciting race to do because you really feel a part of the ocean.”
The action should be very exciting, with the Mocke brothers, Jasper and Dawid, always doing very well in the race, while Mcgregor, fresh from claiming an eighth Masters world marathon canoe title in Germany in September, will also be aiming to add some silverware to his already glittering cabinet.
“I really enjoy the race. The last time I competed in the Pete Marlin was two years ago, so I am looking forward to it. The weather and wind is looking good and it is one of those races that everyone wants to claim the trophy to add it to their cabinet, so I am hoping for a good race,” said Mcgregor.
The race will set off from either Nahoon Beach, Orient Beach or Yellow Sands, depending on the direction of the wind, and will end at one of those three venues.
Marlin big catch in Surfski race
It is the 28th edition of the popular race and paddlers from across the country will come down to take part, with this year’s race also being the South African and Eastern Cape Surfski champs, to add an extra dose of competitiveness to the event.
It will also be a world series race, with full points on offer. This will bring around 10 international paddlers from Spain, Sweden, Dubai, France, Israel and Namibia.
On the world series log, East London-raised paddler Kyle Friedenstein is currently ranked sixth, the third highest from SA, with Jasper Mocke in second place and Dawid Mocke lying fifth at the moment.
All three, as well as SA marathon canoeing legend Hank Mcgregor, currently ranked eighth, will be pushing for top placings for maximum points to add to their world series tallies.
“With it being SA champs and a world series event I would say that it is my biggest race of the year,” said Friedenstein.
“It is my first year competing on the world series and, although I am currently ranked sixth, I think that going into the last few races of the year there is going to be a lot of shuffling on the list. So if I can hold on to a place in the top 10 I will be very happy.”
Friedenstein, who after leaving East London studied in Durban before moving down to Cape Town, will know the course and conditions here well and he will be aiming to use that to his advantage this weekend.
He will be racing the doubles on Sunday with last year’s SA and Pete Marlin champ Dawid Mocke, but will be hoping to beat him in the singles the day before.
“East London is a beautiful place to have a downwind race. The coastline is perfectly placed for the wind. Just wherever it is blowing there is a place to go downwind,” said Friedenstein.
“It just has a wild feel to it. You have the big reef and the huge swell and it is just an exciting race to do because you really feel a part of the ocean.”
The action should be very exciting, with the Mocke brothers, Jasper and Dawid, always doing very well in the race, while Mcgregor, fresh from claiming an eighth Masters world marathon canoe title in Germany in September, will also be aiming to add some silverware to his already glittering cabinet.
“I really enjoy the race. The last time I competed in the Pete Marlin was two years ago, so I am looking forward to it. The weather and wind is looking good and it is one of those races that everyone wants to claim the trophy to add it to their cabinet, so I am hoping for a good race,” said Mcgregor.
The race will set off from either Nahoon Beach, Orient Beach or Yellow Sands, depending on the direction of the wind, and will end at one of those three venues.
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