Sports World Nelson Mandela Bay and Dare2Paddle bring you a winter down wind surf ski series for the Eastern Cape starting 20th May 2006 with an away weekend to Cape St Francis for race 1. Over R10,000 worth of prizes for the introductory race of the new series, with a full breakdown of prizes and rules available on the website www.dare2.net.

GoZero Kayak Racing has added a surf ski class for 2006 on the Hudson River in New York State.

Some time ago, Billy Harker said: "We're going all out to set the standard for the World Cup series. This is going to be THE RACE by which all other World Cup races will be measured…"

Well, it looks as though reality is matching hype: the organising committee announced today that they have already secured R100,000 (approx $16,000) prize money with R40,000 (approx $6,500) going to the winner of the event. They hope to increase the prize pool still more as additional sponsors come on board. 

Here's the official word from Gavin Searle,  spokesman for the race committee...

April 2006, Puerto Rico: [Warm water, a 20 knot following wind, six foot waves, a twenty four mile race across open ocean… could this be surf ski paradise? Are we talking Hawaii?  Well, actually no – but the organizers hope that this race, the Culebra Kayak Challenge could grow to become a “Caribbean Molokai” and be included in future race calendars as a World Cup event.

The 1st annual Culebra Kayak Challenge was held April 9, 2006 and this race report was sent in by DeAnne Hemmens who was there with husband and fellow competitor Patrick. 

The spectacular photos are couresy of race organiser Greg Hernandez - look out for a video clip in the near future.]