The start of the Discovery Surfers Challenge at the mouth of the Kwelera River is a special occasion when participants of both the 17.5km run and paddle compete for the prize on Saturday.
For the past few years weather and sea conditions have resulted in the paddlers using varying routes, while the runners took on the traditional trajectory along the shoulder of the Indian Ocean in a westerly direction, towards Nahoon Beach.
This year’s race looks set to be different, as the two disciplines start the event, within eyeshot of each other.
Seasoned paddler and surfer, Andrew Carter, who takes responsibility within the Surfers Challenge for the paddling aspect, said yesterday “the conditions are good for a traditional start from Yellows to Nahoon”.
It is simply not the same start when the paddlers are not there, agree most runners.
Carter further suggests the conditions may favour the runners, though that might depend on who those runners are.
Last year, in very tough conditions, the runners’ times on both run distances were slow and little can be read into them.
Just which of the men will line up for which race – the traditional Surfers or the shorter version is not known at time of writing – but whoever is in the field will be hard-pressed to take on the athletes on the ocean.
A winning time on the run, in the region of 65 minutes, should do it but edging closer to 70minutes and, it will probably be game over. Carter tips Bevan Manson and Josh Fenn, along with younger brother, Mathew, also in the picture on single skis.
Christian Callebaut featured strongly last year and there are a number of talented paddlers in Buffalo City.
Carter himself, along with his oft doubles partner Brendon Thompson, should be the first onto Nahoon Beach, though it is expected that a number of other combinations will be in pursuit of an upset.
Robert Reeves and Mathew Tebbutt proved to be an effective combination in 2018, while the mixed doubles favourites are Helen and Andre Wood.
Luthando Hejana, who now runs for Old Mutual, has only won the Surfers 17.5km once and that was in 2015, but if he lines up at the start he will be the one to chase.
The women's race is easier to read with Easy Equities Born 2 Run Pretoria's Myrette Brink a three-time winner, 2017 winner Andrea Ranger, the young Rebekah Anderson, both from the East London branch and possibly the University of Cape Town's Jessica Pollock the ones to watch for podium positions.
Ranger who has 18 years of experience on her side, has run numerous personal best times in recent months and is stronger than ever. A best Surfers time of 86 minutes should see another barrier fall.
In the shorter race Bulelani Mgubo, Nikelo Lolwana and Dominic Lahoud are the men most likely to feature up front with sisters Caryn Lategan and Lauren Ranger the pick of the women...