WINTER SERIES RACE 10 – “5 Beaches, Sam Wyer Challenge”
How unpredictable the conditions on the KZN South Coast can be. Initially the surf did not look too big at the start at Umkomas when we arrived. I then heard it announced that we would not be beaching at the traditional three other beaches along the way due to the surf conditions. I was surprised, but relieved in a way because in preparation for the Scottburgh to Brighton Marathon this week, we were keen to put our ultra light weight carbon double ski on the start line.
Man! Was I wrong about the surf. It was not the size of the surf, but the awkward break on a shallow bank at both the start and the finish that took a huge toll on the field. My partner, Mark Mulder and I got crunched a few times going out, getting away in about 10th place in the doubles field. The leaders Barry Lewin and Ant Stott got away cleanly and with a fun 18km down wind to look forward to, they were not going to get caught at all. I think that we did some structural damage to the light weight boat going out through the surf, but once out we really flew. It did not take us long to work ourselves through the field into second place. Not so for many paddlers that did not get out at all or damaged their surfski’s.
The changes we have made to the APEX 2 double ski make it a completely different experience down wind. With seats a bit further forward in the ski catching and sitting on the runs is effortless. The stable sitting position allows you move laterally across the runs without the fear of broaching and getting washed out of the seat. With all the areas around the paddler filled in, the ski catches very little water and the water that does get in drains very quickly. We had a lot of fun. Sadly though I got it all wrong coming in through the surf across a very shallow bank and wrapped the ski. Nursing the damaged ski to the finish line allowed third place to catch us up and we finished in third place.
A number of craft got damaged and the type of damage to our ski’s is very similar. Either cracks across the nose of the front deck from pegging into the shallow sand bank or collision damage with other craft, my own boat being the worst off. We will have everybody back on the start line for next weeks Marathon. I cannot say the same for some unlucky paddlers who left the scene with boats in bits and pieces. I sincerely hope that it does not keep them off the water for the end of season Marathon.
SCOTTBURGH TO BRIGHTON MARATHON
Things happen for a reason. The very last thing I would want to happen is to not be able to finish the Scottburgh to Brighton Marathon due to a damaged ski. Two years ago we got hit in the surf by another ski and had to return to the beach for repairs. Thankfully we were able to carry on and finish. Due to the unpredictable nature of the conditions for this weekends Marathon, we have elected to use a standard construction demo APEX 2. If the conditions go very flat for the race we will be giving away a bit of weight to the classy field, most of top 10 contenders will be on light weight carbon ski’s. The line up so far is impressive and a very crowded top 10 contenders is emerging. It is going to be very tough and competitive.
The picture is a file photo of myself and work colleague Mark Mulder on the one previous occasion that we race together last year.
I think I am lining up for close to my 30th Scottburgh to Brighton Marathon. Each one has been different in some way. Sometimes, the conditions have the last word. The distance (46km) will catch out many. With 48 hours to go, all eyes are on the weather and wind websites, which right now are not telling us much other than it is unlikely that we will have a following wind. We are likely to get some surf, so getting in and out at Amanzimoti will play a part.
To every competitor taking part, good luck, and try and have some fun out there.
See you on the start line.
MARK
