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This popular Friday night Surfski Race series run by the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club kicked off again on Friday 11th January 2008.
 Marine Series Durban 2008
 Marine Series - starting in perfect conditions
Paddlers were greeted by rough awkward surf for race 1 on 11 Jan. It did not deter the large field of paddlers though, however many did not make it out through the surf and in some cases paddlers had to be rescued from strong currents. These conditions are the exception rather than the rule and paddlers usually enjoy calm summer evenings with small playful surf. The racing is very competitive across all the categories. In race 1. Barry Lewin had a head to head clash with Herman Chalupsky, the two of them collided on their way back to the finish, with Barry coming off second best and Herman winning race 1. Barry turned the tables in race 2 with a good win over Herman. The stage is set for a great series over the next 3 months with a paddlers top six results counting towards the overall series. Herman Chalupsky leads the single section having done all four of the races, with his main contender at this stage being Barry Lewin who has missed the last two races with a post Dusi virus. In the ladies single ski section the podium has been shared between Tiffany Kruger and Michelle Eder who have both had wins so far and a few good results posted by Natalie Veckgranges.
Next to the Winter Series that follows in May, this series attracts probably the largest field of double ski's anywhere with between 50 - 75 double skis lining up for a mass start through the surf. Combinations have changed a bit in the first four races but after 6 races the form should start to show.
 Large field at one of the Marine Series Races in Durban
The course is usually a two lap coat hanger shaped course along the Durban beachfront of about 12km giving spectators plenty to watch, with thrills and spills at the starts and often very close dash for the line finishes. With 6 races left running up until early in April, paddlers can look forward to very festive warm summer evenings at Addington Beach.
The Marine Surf Lifesaving Club have been running this series for over 10 years and ensure a great fun vibe with music kicking off a great atmosphere provided by co-sponsors SAB, with their Hansa Gig- Rig right at the action. The gallery created for the many spectators by the big embankment running the full length of Ushaka Marine World creates a grand stand atmosphere and great view of the Bay. A variety of food and refreshments are on offer throughout the evening, which often turns into a good party atmosphere.
From race 6 we will revert with series standings.
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