The Challenge

Port Elizabeth to East London, Hell for four days, 244km of scenic paddling, headwind, downwind, sharks, whales, pods of dolphins, sea birds, giant waves, warm days, ‘bloody' hot days, legends and myths, but most of all camaraderie between men and woman who attempt it who complete it.

It started out as a silly bar room bet between two friends maybe after too many beers were consumed, we'll never know! Anyhow both of these men had the name of John one Woods the other Ball. The one a renowned ocean waterman the other an ultra runner had decided to race each other from Port Elizabeth to East London. One by land using his legs the other by water paddling his surf ski. Game on!

The year was 1974, the exact date I do not know, but what I do know is that Johnny and Johnny shook hands at 2am by the Port Elizabeth town hall said good luck and off they went. 2am! Think about that for a bit, just think! I can only just fathom that sitting in a comfy chair in a warm house. These two men were some many things pioneers, freaking psychotic lunatics, brave or just plain young and dumb at the time! Johnny Woods, Ski on his shoulder ran down and put in at the Port Elizabeth harbour, Mr Ball headed off by road. The race was on, who would arrive first in East London a definite few days later?

Johnny Ball slept by the side of the road I'm not too sure about his support crew he had quite a few difficulties along the way, but none as hectic as Mr Woods. Johnny Woods a legend surf lifesaver was alone out at sea. His support crew as far as I know broke down the boat was unable to follow early on into the epic adventure. I know one thing for sure is that he lost his ski in the middle of the night after coming ‘pipe' in big surf on Madagascar Reef. Crazy! He found his ski by swimming into it! There are many other interesting tales to tell about this first time the course was paddled, but that we'll leave for another time. Mr Ball arrived first by a couple hours, Mr Woods by Ski second coming into Orient Beach both really buggered to say the least.

What the two gentlemen did not expect especially Mr Woods was the amount of like minded individuals out there! I believe it was two years later after the initial bet that the first Challenge Race was held in 1976? The race has (or I should say had) a course from Port Elizabeth to East London and in the days before non lifesavers got involved the race did not turn if the wind got up and you had to paddle into 25 knot plus South East Buster gusting up to 30 knots plus. I keep saying that's why they call it the challenge; there is word of it becoming permanently like that which is a pity, a great pity in fact. My personal opinion is that this race is never going to be an international drawing card maybe if there are some hard Aussies out there? I don't think so, the last time I spoke to Mr Dean Gardner he told me that there is no prestige in pain and why would he do a paddle that was like putting your ‘John Thomas' in a door and slamming it over and over fair enough. I was rolling after the genitals in the door chirp; Mr Gardner has a great sense of humour. That's him, but for me and every other true surf ski paddler this paddle should be on you're to do list.

The reasons why I will one day do it other than because I have to (an unwritten rule of my Surf Lifesaving Club is to do it) is that the Eastern Cape to me is the most beautiful and diverse piece of earth crust to be found anywhere. The friendships formed even when I seconded the race as a youngster back in 1994 with my old man was a ‘helluva' a treat. The little coastal towns that you visit along the way are so cool and the camping is ultimate. What a blast! Its not about the money or the race, sure the top 5 give it a go, but hey even they don't give a shit about who beats who after 4 days of grind. Friendship, a cold beer to celebrate after, the faces of your loved ones waiting on the beach its all about that stuff that I will one day do this epic paddle. And when I do I won't forget about the extra 12 km the organisers left out, the kilometres between the Harbour and the modern day start of Blue Water bay an out lying suburb of Port Elizabeth.

I will attempt to paddle from Port Elizabeth to East London no turning for me if I make it I make it if not then I will return to give it a another go. That is my pledge to myself!

My respects to all those who have finished this awesome paddle. Good luck this year.....

Chopper