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 Durban, South Africa - The organisers of the ARB Surf Ski World Cup are
currently finalising their options for the 30km event in Durban next weekend,
to ensure the safety of every participant, no matter what the prevailing sea
and weather conditions are on the day.
Final Date & Format
Race committee boss Butch Murray confirmed that the final
date and format of the event will be set three days before the weekend of 30
June and 1 July, based on weather forecasts and computer model predictions of
the prevailing weather systems.
 Gavin Searle (L) cogitates on the long range forecast while race committee boss Butch Murray points at the ocean... (Photo: Gameplan Media)
"If the weather is from the North or North East, which is
most likely at this time of year, then the race will be from Westbrook beach
outside Tongaat to Vetchie's beach, basically the same as last year's event,"
Said Murray.
 NE Wind - Westbrook to Vetchies
"If the weather is coming from the South or the South West,
then we will race from Amanzimtoti to the race finish site at Vetchie's beach
at Durban's Point Waterfront Development," confirmed Murray.
 SW Wind - Amanzimtoti to Vetchies
Extreme Weather
"In the event of extreme weather - by that I mean winds in
excess of 25 knots, or no wind at all, or in rough and dangerous swell
conditions, then the race will be staged over a number of laps starting and
finishing at Vetchie's beach."
With top paddlers coming from around the world, the event
organisers have agreed to the principal of staging the race in conditions that
will be fair to all the participants, particularly those that are not familiar
with paddling out through big surf.
Last year the event was held in hot and very calm sea
conditions, which allowed Cape paddler Dawid Mocke to make a very fast solo
break at the front of the race. However Hank McGregor timed his challenge
perfectly and reeled him in with less than 45 minutes to go.
Long Range Forecasts - Big Wave Africa
The race organisers are also piggy-backing off the efforts
of other major event that are monitoring the long term weather forecasts,
including the Red Bull Big Wave surfing competition. Their predictions point to
a number of massive storm systems approaching Southern Africa in late June.
The revised race format will now allow the organisers to
stage the race in the best weather conditions on offer over the weekend. The
popular Grand Prix relay will take place on the day alongside the ARB World
Cup.
The ARB Surf Ski World Cup will take the form of a 25km to
30km single ski championship race, to be held on either Saturday 30 June or
Sunday 1 July, to take advantage of the best weather conditions. Doubles
entries are also welcome and category prizes will be awarded. There will also
be over R 60 000 of attendance lucky draw give aways.
All the race information can be found at www.surfskiworldcup.com
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