As we all know, Surf Ski is growing as a sport.  But that growth is presenting race organisers with a dilemma. More and more paddlers want to enter the "classic" races like the Cape Point Challenge and the PE to EL Challenge.  But these races have reputations for extreme conditions, both in terms of endurance and the sea states that can occur on the course.

2005 Cape Point Challenge

In 2005, the Cape Point Challenge route was changed for safety reasons to avoid 5m swells on the exposed Atlantic side of the Point.  Critics say that this was only necessary because there were too many under-qualified entrants.  If the qualifying races had been hard enough, the argument goes, the field would have been small enough and good enough to go safely around the Point. 

So what must race organisers do?  Keep the races "pure" (i.e. extreme) as some vocal critics demand or should the organisers change the routes where necessary to open up the races to more paddlers, thereby making them more attractive to the sponsors so necessary to the growth of the sport? 

Sunshine Coast Challenge (PE to EL)

The latest race coming under the spotlight in this regard is the PE to EL race.  In this race, the organisers have taken out the stop at Woody Cape, notorious for its huge ski-smashing surf.  The organisers argue that this step will make the race more paddler-friendly and that more entries will result.

Objections

Judging by recent letters to SA Paddler, some would argue that "classic" races should be left as they always have been.  

In the case of the 2005 Cape Point Challenge, the organisers response was that the course was changed purely for safety reasons and this had nothing to do with the qualifications of the entrants.  On the day of the race, the sea state was such that the safety boats wouldn't go around the Point.  No safety boats = no race.  Note too that the race course has been changed once before because of extreme conditions - and that was in the days of elite paddlers only.

As for the PE to EL race, it seems that there are various arguments in favour of removing or retaining Woody Cape as a stop-off point.  According to previous participants, any of the beaches along the route can be extreme and Woody Point is just one of around ten that paddlers have to negotiate.

Is it really an issue?  A 244km paddle along that coast is an extreme challenge in any case.  What do you think? 

Comments (3)

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written by PARKSY, July 15, 2006

WE ARE CHEAPING THESE EPIC RACES PLEASE SEE MY COMMENTS ON THE THE PE-EL.WE ARE BECOMING SOFT WIMPS.

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PRE 2005 or POST 2005
written by Mik, July 16, 2006

The first question that will come to mind when meeting a paddler that has completed the "Challenge" will be "Did you complete the pre-2005 Challenge or the post-2005 Challenge?" If you completed the Pre-2005 Challenge RESPECT, if you completed the post-2005 challenge good luck for marathon champs! By removing Woody Cape we increase the number of entrants (that probably should not be competing in this event), thereby increasing coverage for sponsors, achieving television coverage, and ultimately making more money, but at what expense? Perhaps we should remove Poly Shorts from the next uphill Comrades, the hills should be removed from the Tour De France, the Fish should start below Keith's, the Umko should be moved to the Vaal dam, the Dusi should become the Sterkfontein, and the Midmar mile should become a Kilometre. Who made this decision, and who was consulted when making this decision? Let's try and preserve the last "CHALLENGE" we have left in this sport! Perhaps an event titled "The Real Challenge" should be staged over the same dates? Any takers?

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written by PARKSY, July 20, 2006

I AM IN.AS USUAL THE LAST PEOPLE TO CONSULT ARE THE PADDLERS WHO HAVE MADE THE RACE WHAT IT IS TODAY.I AGREE WITH MIK WHY NOT CHANGE COURSES SO WE HAVE NO CHALLENGE LEFT IN LIFE?WE ARE BECOMING A BUNCH OF WIMPS WHO DONT HAVE ANY PRIDE LEFT.BUT THEN WE ARE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OTHER MAJOR SPORTS.LOOK AT RUGBY WHO CARES IF WE MISS A TACKLE SO WHAT IF WE LOOSE WHO GIVES A s**t.SOCCOR AND CRICKET ARE NOT FAR BEHIND.MAYBE WE SHOULD BE A NATION KNOWN AS TIDDLY WINKS CHAMPIONS BUT THEN WE WOULD COMPLAIN OUR FINGERS WERE GETTING SORE.

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