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(By Rob Mousley) Surfski as a sport is growing by leaps and bounds worldwide and no less so in South Africa. The Discovery Men’s Health Surfski Series has become a national institution with races in three cities: in Durban (during winter); Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (during summer). The first race in Durban last season saw 507-odd paddlers taking part. But apart from this flagship series there are plenty of smaller regional series – this article looks at the KIA Motors Marine Series in Durban. Trevor Martin, the chairman of the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club spoke about the trends in surf ski racing and why the KIA Motors Marine Series in particular has become so successful.
Steady Growth in numbers Apart from 2003 where there was a slight drop in numbers, due to the consistently foul weather that season, there has been steady growth in participation for the last ten years to the point where the first two races this season had more than 220 paddlers participating. (At ten years old, the series is one of the oldest in South Africa.) Surf Lifesaving and Surfski Rapprochement “We initially had a situation where the Lifesavers hated the Surfskiers and vice versa,” Trevor said, “How silly is that?! Both groups love the sea, both groups love paddling. That was one of the first things to sort out.”
The result is a symbiotic relationship: the Surfski paddlers have a great series; the Surf Lifesavers, apart from anything else, enjoy the benefits of a full clubhouse on Friday evenings. 
Success Factors Trevor listed the factors that he felt has led to the series being one of the largest and most successful on the circuit: - Location: this is one of the few places in the country where it is practical to provide spectators with a view of the racing. This, coupled with Durban’s warm weather makes the series uniquely family friendly and the trend is definitely towards a larger crowd watching from the beach. The clubhouse makes a great base and the bar takings after the races benefit the club.
- Format: the race usually follows the formula of a two lap race up and down the beach, of about 8km. If the surf is small, the race starts from the beach; if not, paddlers are given time to make their way out beyond the backline where a deepwater start is effected. This makes the series paddler-friendly – the distance is not intimidating and everyone knows that they’ll be given the time they need to get out safely through the surf.
- Sponsorship: as numbers have increased, so has sponsorship. Logically this should be mutually beneficial: more sponsorship means more paddlers means more effective sponsorship and so on.
- Organization: Trevor, who organizes the races, doesn’t paddle and this he feels, makes it easier to operate. The series being on a Friday evening, paddlers don’t want to hang around waiting for prize-giving for example.
- Prize distribution: Winners in each category (Men and Women Juniors, Seniors, Vets, Masters, doubles etc) are awarded small cash prizes, but the main action is in the lucky draws: the last race saw a plasma screen TV being given away.
- Race Committee: Trevor said that a stroke of genius led him to appoint of a panel of senior paddlers to dictate course layout and safety regulations. If anyone complains about the organization, they’re referred to the race committee.
Sponsorship The title sponsor of the series is KIA Motor Corporation who paid around R40,000 (approx $7000) for the privilege. A second tier of sponsors such as Fenn Kayaks generally donate product or other prizes. For example a Fenn surf ski has been given away in the lucky draw every year since the series started. Finally, each race is sold to a sponsor who provides prizes to the value of a minimum of R1500 ($250). Marketing KIA flighted a couple of adverts in regional newspapers and provided posters that are up in surf lifesaving clubs and sponsors’ places of business. The Series in a Nutshell: - 10 races (January, February and March), each approx. 8km in length
- Start on the beach or behind the backline if the surf is likely to damage skis
- Registration at 17h00; start at 17h30; prize-giving shortly after the last ski finishes
- Location: Ushaka Marine World Beach, hosted by the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club
- Paddlers have to belong to Canoe South Africa (at a cost of R190 per year) and each race costs R30 to enter. There is no series entry fee.
- A simple points system is used. First in gets 100 points, second 99 and so on. All paddlers after the 99th position score 1 point. This makes it easier and quicker to roll out the results and get prize giving under way.
More information may be obtained from: The KIA Motors Marine Series website Trevor Martin (Chairman: Marine Surf Lifesaving Club)
Cell: 0835564941
Tel : (031) 303 1515
Fax: (031) 303 1068
Email
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