Dawid and Nikki Mocke are in California to compete in the US Surfski Championships. Nikki is back in her surfski after having competed at the Beijing Olympics and this will be her first attempt at the US Champs.
Dawid & Nikki Mocke
Surfski.info Interview – Nikki Mocke
Two weeks ago, Nikki returned from the Beijing Olympics where she and her crewmates made it all the way to the finals of the K4 500m women’s event.
They came 7th, a fabulous achievement in a sport dominated by big money and professional athletes.
Apart from a few stolen moments, she hadn’t touched her trademark purple Fenn Millennium surfski for the last two years. (The South African sprint paddlers were forbidden to paddle on the sea during their Olympic training, a source of some controversy given the results of the likes of Aussie Ken Wallace – K1 500m gold and K1 1000m bronze – and the UK’s Tim Brabants – K1 500m bronze and K1 1000m gold – who both spent considerable time paddling and racing surfskis!)
I asked her how it felt to be back in the ski (“surreal”); about women’s paddling and her upcoming trip to the US Surfski Champs and the Chicago Shoreline Marathon.
Here’s what she had to say.
Surfski.info Interview – Dawid Mocke
I found Dawid on the beach at Fish Hoek running a Saturday morning surfski class.
Dawid was darting about the beach - adjusting a ski to fit a new paddler here; issuing paddles there; balancing a novice through the shore break; all to the accompaniment of yells of encouragement. I was exhausted just watching…
He’s off to the US Champs for the third time: he won the race in 2005 and 2006 but missed last year’s edition of the race after some cross-training went badly wrong and he ended up losing a couple of weeks paddling to injury. (Note to self: wrestling is not a good sport for cross-training.)
Laughlin and Barton out
Unfortunately both Lewis Laughlin and Greg Barton have had to withdraw from the race (the former due to illness and the latter to the demands of work) so Dawid’s main competition will be from Fenn teammate Hank McGregor.
Just a quick note regarding your Olympic results : Tim Brabants won Gold in the 1000m as well!!! and good luck to Dawid, Nikki, and Hank, wish I could be there!
Traut
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Tim's gold written by Rob Mousley,
September 16, 2008
Thanks Traut! Fixed.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by Victoria Larson,
September 17, 2008
Just finished the Southern California clinic with Nikki and Dawid. I can't say enough good things about them. Their enthusiasm, (especially after having just arrive in CA), knowledge, teaching skills and friendliness made it an inspiring session. And the interval training they put us through left me breathless! Great ambassadors for the sport.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by MFB,
September 18, 2008
It would be interesting to find out what the "program" was for Wallace and Brabants when they paddled surf skis. Since they're event were sprints, what were the targets to be achieved while paddling, racing in surf skis? I will raise this with our national sports association, hopefully convince them to let their flatwater boys paddle skis. : ) I'll have company then.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -1
Positive attitude written by Ed Menzies,
September 18, 2008
I whole heartedly agree with you Victoria! It is amazing how a positive & enthusiastic attitude rubs off on other people. Dawid & Nikki are indeed great ambassadors for our sport and their outlook on life in general is very humbling and refreshing!
I hope the Californian fires have abated! If not ask Dawid/Nikki if they can influence anything there I'm sure his positiveness will rub-off on the weather as well.
Cheers
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by Mark Buck,
September 20, 2008
What is the info for the live coverage?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
I'm sure his positiveness will rub-off on the weather as well. 
and good luck to Dawid, Nikki, and Hank, wish I could be there!
Traut