Forming part of the Ocean Festival celebration in commemoration of World Oceans Day is the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge taking place in Scottburgh on Sunday, 11 June. Spectators and paddlers are sure to be delighted to see some top guns such as Hank McGregor, Kenny Rice and Michelle Burn in action.
Russel Symcox, event organiser, explained that the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge is an incredible addition to the Ocean Festival’s sporting activities, with R50 000 in prize money up for grabs, making it the most lucrative surfski event in the province.
“We’re hoping to bring paddlers from all over the country to Aliwal Shoal to celebrate World Oceans Day. The event will get going from Scottburgh, which is a key coastal area, with paddlers getting to experience Aliwal Shoal, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that forms a vital ocean space, protecting marine habitats while supporting ocean life.
“We’re also excited to be based out of the incredible Premier Resort Cutty Sark Hotel which has provided us with the space and support to bring this free ocean paddling to the festival,” said Symcox.
Barry Lewin, the race director, commented: “I am really excited to be bringing the paddling community together to celebrate our oceans as part of the Ocean Festival with this new addition to the race calendar combining an amazing stretch of coastline with a Marine Protected Area.
“The Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge is bringing some of the best paddlers in the world to showcase their skills on the KZN South Coast. It’s going to be an amazing festival where ocean-lovers come together, and I just can’t wait to see everyone there!”
Speaking ahead of the race, Kenny Rice said that he is so excited to come up to Scottburgh in June for the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge.
“It will be great to be racing the KZN guys on their home turf, as we don’t often get the opportunity. There’s no better place to spend World Oceans Day, celebrating marine life and encouraging the protection of our oceans. I’m looking forward to the race and experiencing the new coastline,” said Rice.
The ‘GOAT’ of surfski racing, Hank McGregor, is also coming in as one of the race’s top contenders. The eleven-time World Canoe Senior Marathon Champion and winner of multiple canoe and surfski races, said: “I am super excited about the new event on the KZN South Coast, especially as we celebrate World Oceans Day.
“It’s awesome to have a new race on the calendar and fantastic to have new sponsors and prize money in the sport. I’ll be on the start line of the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge, ready to give it a go!”
Another South African surfski ace joining the competition is Michelle Burn, the current bronze medallist of the ICF World Championship Races. She recently took the Senior Ladies title alongside surfski partner, Saskia Hockley, in the Freedom Day Challenge around Robben Island in the Western Cape.
“I’m so stoked to hear about the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge. The venue is so fitting as we’ll be racing in the beautiful Marine Protected Area of Aliwal Shoal for World Oceans Day. For me personally, having grown up on the KZN South Coast and spending most of my life loving and learning there, I’m thrilled to be able to support such an event. I hold all events on the KZN South Coast close to me,” commented Burn.
The beneficiary of the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge is the Clansthal Conservancy, anon-profit organisation committed to conservation efforts for the Green Point Inshore Restricted Zone (GPIRZ).
Ocean Festivals are being held globally from 5 to 11 June with the celebration of World Oceans Day central to the events. On the South Coast, the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge will be accompanied by a surfing contest, an ocean run / walk, a beach clean-up, ocean-themed displays and family-friendly activities.
