REPORT BY MURRAY JAMES

This year’s annual King of the Bay race in Durban took place under sunny skies with a low wind, and paddlers had to work against the clock to finish before the predicted heavy Westerly arrived.

With roadworks at the port entry, the organisers had a land-based race of their own. They were pressed for time to exit the harbour, make their way across the city and to arrive at the finish line on the beach before the first paddlers did. They made it in the end – arriving just in the nick of time. The race was well attended by SUPs, surf-skis and even a surfboat, which was first to set out, followed by the SUPs and then the surf-skis.

The busily-working harbour also provided some thrills, with paddlers having to contend with ships leaving the harbour and the inevitable churn from ships and tugboats.

The woman’s race was won by a charging Lande Swemmer, followed by Jacqui de Billot in second and Jutta Dedekind taking third on an inflatable race-board, the first time someone had completed the race on an inflatable!

Murray James came first in the men’s race, followed by newcomer Ralph Jansen in second and Mike Holland in third.

A fantastic, challenging race was had by all, and a huge thank-you goes out to the organisers who are always keen to include SUP’s and other disciplines in what is traditionally a surfski race, as well as making sure everything ran flawlessly.