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A record field of 220 surf ski paddlers tackle one of the country’s toughest extreme sports events this weekend in the 2005 Men’s Health Cape Point Surf Ski Challenge.
The 56-kilometre marathon takes the country’s leading paddlers around Cape Point in a race from Soetwater to Fish Hoek which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging surf ski events in the world.
Paddlers will face the challenge of avoiding kelp beds, battling a howling south-easter and choppy seas, and maneuvering the strong currents around Cape Point.
While KwaZulu-Natal’s Daryl Bartho and Oscar Chalupsky are certainly included in the list of favourites to win, few people are betting against the Cape’s Dawid Mocke, who has dominated South African surf ski in 2005 like few before him, taking the honours.
Not only has he been in dominant form in the Cape Town leg of the Discovery Men’s Health Surf Ski Series this year, but he has also won the US Surf Ski Championships, the New Zealand King of The Harbour event, and the gruelling Scottburgh to Brighton race in KwaZulu-Natal.
His main opposition will come from the likes of two-time winners Paul Marais and Oscar Chalupsky, who both have experience on their side. Former record holder and Fish Hoek local Pete Cole will also present a strong challenge, as will Julian Callebaut who finished second in 2001.
Mocke’s younger brother Jasper and Simon van Gysen will be making a strong case for the young guns.
The women’s race is likely to be contested by the established duo of Nikki Mocke and Kim Rew, who should have enough strength and experience to hold off the younger guard, headed by rising Western Province star Wendren Mildford.
The Eastern Cape’s Michelle Eray, who represented South Africa in the inaugural SA World Cup in 2003, will also be a threat.
The race gets underway on Saturday 17 December from the crayfish factory at Soetwater, with the lower-ranked paddlers being sent off first at 05h00.
Depending on the conditions the course can take anything from 4 1/2 to 7 hours.
Weather forecasts at the moment predict moderate southerly winds but a massive 5m swell, due to hit the Peninsular on Saturday, will make conditions extremely challenging.
The race is being organised by Peter Cole 083 675 0616 and Billy Harker 083 675 0616
More info on the race can be found on the surf ski community website: www.surfski.info and on the Discovery Men's Health Series website: www.surfski.co.za
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