Winklespruit, Durban, South Africa: [Editor: Only 31 paddlers out of 150 got out through the surf! Dawid Mocke and Clint Pretorius were among the casualties who were so thoroughly worked over that they didn't get out in time for the start!  Please, please, anyone who was there with a camera - there must have been some spectacular shots - please send them in to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

Hank McGregor triumphed in the Discovery Winklespruit surf ski race in very tough and demanding surf conditions that saw less than twenty percent of the field successfully completing the 15 kilometer race.

Deep water start

With a strong easterly wind blowing, and a heavy six foot swell breaking at Winklespruit, the race format was changed from a beach start to a deep-water start, allowing the field fifteen minutes to try and get through the big surf.

Scores of paddlers were dumped in their attempts to get out to the backline, resulting in a huge percentage of withdrawals, including established surf ski racing stars Dawid Mocke, Brett Bartho and 2006 Molokai champion Clint Pretorius.

Mocke and Pretorius were attempting to get out through the heavy midbreak, when they spotted a novice paddler in serious trouble. The duo, both seasoned lifesavers, abandoned their race to rescue the struggling novice, and bring him back to shore safely.

[Editor: Konrad Karcz sent us a couple of photos of his ski, taken after the race.  He was trying to get out through the surf when a set came in: "I managed to roll under 2 waves as they broke on me," he said, "but on remounting after rolling a third time my boat was wrecked."

Ouch! (Photo: Konrad Karcz)

(Photo: Konrad Karcz)

We were also sent this photo that was taken the Friday before the race, when the surf was equally big. This guy drove down onto the beach and then couldn't start it...  The tide came in and... I can't think why he's smiling... (or is he crying?)]

Proof that pickups can't surf...

The Race 

When the mass start did get under way, it was the double ski crew of Scott Rutherfoord and Wayne Wilson that set the pace to the turn off Amanzimtoti's Pipeline beach, with McGregor and Matt Bouman hanging onto their wave as they ground into the strong wind. Shortly after the turn, McGregor managed to get away, with the benefit of the strong downwind runs and he returned to Winklespruit beach with a 200 metre lead over Bouman.

McGregor nearly blew that lead entirely, when he misjudged his approach to the beach, while Bouman took a fast diagonal line into the beach. Despite the scare, McGregor was able to wrap up the win by twenty seconds, with the consistent series performer Barry Lewin third, less than a minute further back.

"It was tough today, make no mistake," said McGregor. "There is always a wave a Winkle, and today it lived up to its reputation. There were plenty of thrills and spills for the spectators to enjoy!"

31 from 150

31 boats completed the race from the 150 paddlers that tried to get out through the six foot surf. Only one double ski finishing the six kilometer race, after all the other less experienced paddlers intending to do the short course race failed to get out ay Winklespruit.

"I enjoy it when it gets tough," McGregor added. "This is what surf ski racing is all about. The ocean is never predictable, and to do well you have to be able to adapt, and make the best of the conditions on the day. The safety calls by the organisers were spot-on," he added.

The good, the bad & the ...? Hank, Matt, Barry (Photo: Lisa Harvey/Gameplan Media)

Leg six of the Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski series is the HiQ Marine race next Sunday, which should offer an easier, faster and very competitive 12km dice that starts and finished at Ushaka beach.


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
1.Hank McGregor 53:34
2.Matt Bouman 53:52
3.Barry Lewin 54:31
4.Steve Woods 54:32
5.Daryl Bartho 54:40

Women
1.Belinda Carbutt 1:13:38

Double ski
1.Scott Rutherfoord/Wayne Wilson 54:02

Further details can be found at www.surfski.co.za

Comments (14)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

WoodFried Chicken
written by richard, June 05, 2007

Go Campbell go. Next ones yours. Love from Dick Alaska

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Well done Clint & Dawid
written by Brian Kernick, June 05, 2007

Hats off to Dawid and Clint for sacrificing their race in the interests of a fellow paddler's safety.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Safet y First
written by MFB, June 06, 2007

Dawid and Clint are heroes!

I wonder where the rescue crew of the organizers were when this happened. If Dawid and Clint didn't see him, it would have been a different story.

Was he wearing a life vest? What safety measures are in place for races like this?

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

PFD
written by DawidM, June 06, 2007

"Was he wearing a life vest? What safety measures are in place for races like this?"

Hi MFB, I would just like everyone to know that this guy WAS wearing a PFD, and in fact, if it wasn't for that he would definitely have gone under! By the time we got to him he was totally exhausted from getting dumped in the break.

I would also like to add that it wasn't only me and clint who rushed to to the rescue, although Clint was the first to get there. There were a number of other paddlers and also the lifeguards on duty who were very paraat.

Regards

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

PFD - "paraat"
written by Rob Mousley, June 06, 2007

For our international readers - the lifeguards being "paraat" means that they were alert/on the ball!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

PFD's
written by GraemeT, June 06, 2007

Hey, yes.. big of Dawid and Clint to give up on their race to do that, hats off. I can't help noticing from the pictures on surfski web sites from DMHealth races that hardly any of the Durban competitors use PFD's (lifejackets in oldspeak) do they have a different set rules there I wonder? Although not wanting to start a nefarious debate here but this is quite telling...

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by MFB, June 07, 2007

Thanks for providing the other details Dawid. Article didn't mention the lifeguards rescuing too.

Glad my Mocke Jacket PFD just arrived from South Africa. Thanks to Linda and Karen of Quiver outdoor for accommodating my overseas request. It was a challenge to get it here reasonably priced ; )

I'll be wearing it every time I paddle now. It lessens the odds of having something unfortunate happen.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Rescue facilities
written by Rob Mousley, June 07, 2007

There were 6 lifeguards in attendance with two rubber ducks beyond the break.

It's worth noting that for the SA World Cup, they're making special arrangements for out-of-towners (like me) who aren't used to that kind of surf. The start will be behind the backline with lots of time to get out. Also they will have "ski-jockeys" in attendance to take skis out for competitors who will then be taken out on jetskis.

See www.surfskiworldcup.com for more.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by southsea, June 07, 2007

good one Dawid...all the way to durb's for a race and end up doing a bit of lifesaving!!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Surf
written by GD, June 08, 2007

Is not the surf line - part of the sport. Take it out - and it becomes rough water K1. The best part of the sport is that anybody on his day can 'luck' a surf break - and get a lead on a champ like Dawid / Oscar. They will catch you - but for those 10 min you are the man. Same coming in...the race is not won until you are up the beach. I think we are in danger of softening it to much with foc rides to the back line. I do not want to make light of the conditions in the Durban race last week or the guy who go into trouble (glad he was wize enough to wear a vest) - but this is a tough sport - and guys with out enough experiece to get through the surf line....and sort it out once it go's wrong (which it will) do not have any business being 3km offshore in swell. Stay on the beach...get stronger in smaller surf (like everbody else has done to start) and then go out in the big blue. We want the sport to grow..but not at the expense of it's surf lifesaving roots - and that means surf.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Surf as an integral part of surf ski paddling?
written by Rob Mousley, June 08, 2007

This is a highly debatable topic.

>> do not have any business being 3km offshore in swell.

I disagree! I'm hopeless in surf but I go out almost every day in summer in big waves & 30-40kts of wind.

>> Stay on the beach...get stronger in smaller surf

That's a great idea in Durban. But in many places in the world, you just don't get surf in which to play and acquire the skills.

>> I think we are in danger of softening it to much with foc rides to the back line.

The problem is that unless we provide an alternative route to the back line, many overseas competitors just won't come. Why should they pay big bucks to fly here only to be trashed on the way out before the race even begins.

>> anybody on his day can 'luck' a surf break

If I was a professional paddler, I'd be really irritated that luck should play such a part in the race. Paddling is about skill, and as you say, going through surf takes much of the skill away and replaces it with luck. I know some of the top paddlers would prefer ALL races to take place behind the backline.

It's an interesting issue you've raised though - we should debate what the sport is. For me it's long distance ocean racing and surf is a not a factor. For guys in Durban, surf is part of the fun. We seldom get to play in surf in Cape Town so we come up there and get pounded. Not fun!

"Toughness" has various forms; I agree you've got to be tough to go out through Durban surf, but you've also got to be tough to go out in big waves & wind in our cold water in Cape Town.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Take it as it comes!
written by Horatio, June 09, 2007

Hi Rob,
You have a great site when it sticks to topics like this. To say it is luck to get through the surf is a massive statement. Luck is when PREPERATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY.
When there is a break in the surf you still have to be good enough to take the opportunity when it arrises. And the same coming in, when you catch a wave you have to have SKILL to hold it. You say professional paddlers want to take the luck factor out so the race comes down to skill, I dont see them holding up Molokia until theres a 40 knot tail wind!
Like I say you have to take the conditions as they are. Theres not going to be surf at every race. If you want to have ideal conditions for sport then take up Lawn Bowls, next you will be saying you cant race until its 25 degrees because its too cold!
Some people out there need to have a spoonful of cement powder and HARDEN THE F!*K UP!
And as for people not showing up because of the chance of waves is again a massive statement. I would say this is what attracts people to the sport, the chance to pit yourself against the elememts as well as your fellow competitors.
One final thing. Races are won by what you do Monday to Friday, not so much on raceday. remember the 6 P's, PRIOR PREPARATION PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFOMANCE!

If I have offended anyone by my comments, I apoligise. Feel free to have a cry.

Now I have the hang of this comments thing, you may from hear me again.

Cheers H.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by THE ONE THAT WAS SAVED, June 12, 2007

FIRSTLY I AM THE PADDLER THAT NEEDED SAVING. THANKS TO ALL THOSE THAT DID HELP ME INCLUDING LIFE SAVERS.I AM SORRY IT HAS CAUSED SO MUCH TROUBLE. I WAS WEARING A PFD FROM TRIPPER WITH FOAM WITH A DRINKING SYSTEM OF 3L I HAD 1 L OF WATER AND HAD BLOWN UP THE BALANCE AS EXTRA FOR THE START.I ENTERED AS A DOUBLE FOR SHORT COURSE DUE TO THE FACT I AM A NOVICE. WE COME 3RD IN THE GRADING RACE. MY PARTNER WAS A LIFE GUARD AND SEASONED PADDLER. I TOOK A CALCULATED CHANCE THAT DAY BECAUSE HOW DO YOU GROW AND BECOME EXPERINCED BUT BY TRIAL AND ERROR, IN THIS CASE I GUESS I OVER STEPPED THE MARK. I AM DETERMINED TO TRAIN HARDER AND BECOME BETTER. I HAVE PADDLED IN BIGGER SURF BUT NEVER SWAM. MY SKI IS BROKEN AND WITH IT MY SEASON HAS SADLY ENDED.I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE BILLY AND HIS TEAM AND HOPE MY INCIDENT DOES NOT EFFECT FUTURE RACES. ITS A GREAT SPORT AND FANTASTIC SET UP, I GUESS I WILL STAY ON THE BEACH AND TRAIN HARDER AND HOPEFULLY WILL NOT NEED THE FANTASTIC SERVICES OF OTHER PADDLERS AGAIN. THANKS AGAIN TO THE PFD AND ALL THOSE WHO HELPED.
PS. ARE THERE ANY PADDLING / SWIMMING SCHOOLS OUT TO TEACH ME HOW TO SWIM BIG SURF.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

PFD
written by andrewa, June 12, 2007

Well if we go to that race at Winkle I can vouch for all the saftey crew that were there both in the water and on the beach when the race started. I am a fairly experienced paddler and I enjoy the big surf. I was however takeing a fairly inexprecienced paddle out in that race. Just to add it was no bigger than what we have paddled in the past so I was confident about the situation. The rescue inquestion was my doubles partner. I can vouch for everything that went on at that moment. We had been dumped by a masive wave in the shorebreak. As I surfaced I saw my partner about 2 metres away from me getting repeatedly being pounded by the waves. I was trying to get to him as quick as possible to get to the situation under control. By the time the rest of the assitance had got there to help us I was already starting to pull him closer to me with my paddle. Due to fear and shear panic the situation suddenly becomes a lot worse as you are unable to communicate the basics to help people.
To put everything into perspective. Yes he was wearing a life jacket, which was secure before we went into the water, I always check it and insist on it most times, by being pounded by the surf it felt like the lifejacket had come off, which caused more panic. I would like to thank all the people who came out to help in that situation. I know my partner greatly appreciated it. Also with so many boats and people all over the place, instinct takes over. I myself went in to help another paddler shortly after I had got my partner to the beach with the help of all the others.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0