The biggest cash purse Stand Up Paddle Race on the African continent should surely be the toughest too? Well, on 24 September 2016 that was pretty much how things went down in Witsand at the Breede River Mouth.
PiliPili Adventure Center and Restaurant hosted the 4th Annual Whale of a Race where for the first time ever there was a R10 000 cash prize for both the mens and womens open category. The 8km race took the athletes down-river towards the ocean, across the mouth of the mighty Breede and back again. As if that’s not enough, Witsand lived up thoroughly to it’s reputation by adding a 20 knot Westerly wind to the mix. That was fun for the first leg with the wind at their backs, but needless to say the finish line would not be reached easily laying directly up-wind.
The event, which every year is in part an NSRI fundraiser, had the Sea Rescue team very busy this year. What in previous years was more of a visual presence for them turned into a rather active operational exercise. The crossing of the river mouth was a particularly grueling ordeal with waves approaching from the East and a big Westerly blowing in the opposite direction. Standing up on the narrow race boards was a bit like balancing on a toothpick and tested the athletes to the max.
From all over the country 34 contestants entered and should all be commended for guts and determination. First across the line was Dylan Frick with a time of 42 minutes and 39 seconds. This was the 3rd time in 4 years that Dylan took first prize, a testament to the talent of the 21 year old. Second across the line was Thomas King (48:07) and 3rd was Kimon Dos Santos (48:43).
First lady across the line was Tarryn King with an amazing 53:19. Second and Third respectively went to the KwaZulu-Natal team of Jackie de Billot (57:07) and Lande Williamson (58:29).
First Legend (over 45) was Rory Smyth (49:26) and first Diva (over 45) was Monika Wohlgemuth (1:12:43). For the Juniors we had Henco Scholtz (53:07) and Groms (under 12) Levi Mayes who came in at 1:16:00.
There was an amazing spitbraai with Live music to end of the day. Master braaier and NSRI member Attie Gunter treated the guests and locals alike to his speciality lamb which has also become quite a tradition at the Whale of a Race.
A big thank you to all who took part, the NSRI, the town of Witsand, and all the sponsors: Vanhunks Boarding, Jakkalsvlei, Mystic, Rider Bargains, Breede River Lodge, Breedezicht lifestyle Estate, Solrxsa, Xpression On The Beach and South African Breweries.
Help get Our SA SUP Team to the ISA World Champs in Fiji. Here is how you can get involved. There are some great deals and huge discounts on products such as SUP’s, Roxy & Quiksilver wetsuits, surf lessons, Island style starter kit, team building packages and more. Purchase one of these and know the funds are going towards supporting your SA Team!
Once again Emmarentia Dam was the venue for the Starboard Altitude 10km SUP Race where we had SUP racers coming to compete from all corners of South Africa and Mozambique in the 6th leg of the national SUPSA rankings series. The event was a resounding success, with great weather and record participation at a Jo’burg event.
Once the serious racing was over and social SUP paddlers had their full of fun in the sun, we moved across to the Clubhouse for prize giving. In this time our paddling mates who didn’t race came to assist with a really awesome poitjie that quietly bubbled away during the day. Once race prize giving was over, tummies were full and with a few cold ones inside of us, we got stuck into the business end of the fundraiser ~ the auction & raffle…
On behalf of the WTF (Way To Fiji) KZN members of SUP Team South Africa – a very BIG thank you to everyone that stepped up and selflessly supported us in our efforts to raise funds at our Fundraiser event held at S43, Durban, on Thursday 8th September 2016.
We received an absolutely outstanding response to our ticket sales, which ended up in 146 people attending including our loyal local SUPérs, business men and supporters – great to see so many wives, girlfriends and partners contributing to the glamour! This type of support is truly amazing.
The evening kicked off at 17h30 with a welcoming “Springbok” shooter to get you in the mood! (this Springbok went down much better than the unfortunate Springbok game that followed over the weekend…
Registration was manned by Caraline and Les, who did a marvellous job as the Guests arrived including managing the Raffle tickets, Burger and Beer tickets and not forgetting to take the Mula! Lande & Jenna as well as Malec & Chantel – worked the room punting additional much needed raffle tickets too, (who could resist the charms!) thanks guys!
The atmosphere was festive and you could feel the excitement building in the air, two beautiful F.one and Naish SUP boards hanging from the ceiling and a massive table filled with prizes to be auctioned and raffled during the course of the evening including the massive ‘’one of a kind’’ long-board care of Brandon Ribbink (could not have been easy letting that icon go to the highest bidder!)
Burgers and Beers were being served and some really good “Home brewed’’ Craft beers from the in-house S43 Brewery. A generous prize was an S43 tour for 10 and as much beer as you can drink…. This was snapped up fairly quickly!
The main draw card kicking off the evening was Twig Baker and Brandon Ribbink both legends of the Sea… Twig of course being a World Champ big wave rider and Brandon a World Champ paddle boarder (both these men have an incredible pedigree going back many, many years and needed little introduction.)
The Question and Answer between Twig and Brandon was very enlightening, Brandon with a hidden talent for interviewing put forward some entertaining and pertinent questions and Twig proved to be an entertaining and insightful respondent, giving the audience a real feel for life on the circuit of the legendary Big Wave spots around the World. The crowd was riveted (Albeit a few party revellers at the back who engaged in deep meaningful raucousness!
As our very talented DJ spilled out the tunes the vibe was almost ready for the start of the Big AUCTION and raffles, this is what everyone had been waiting for.
Deon hit that MIC like no other, he has definitely found a new talent, some bidders found themselves at the end of some very pointed looks and cajoling as Deon squeezed every last cent out of those deep pockets, well done Deon
‘’exceptional’’ is an understatement! Sharon was hard pressed to run after those lucky, successful bidders to record their details before recollection of bids was lost in the revelry, great job! (anybody needing Deon over the following few days needed a pen and paper as the voice was long spent from the exertion of the night!) Thank goodness, he can rest until our Prize giving at the end of November.
A really great and successful evening was had, we raised R14 600 on our door takings, R66 400 on our Auction and around R10 000 on our raffle tickets. Take a bow one and all!
Special mention please to-
· The ‘engine room’ behind the scenes crew of volunteers, not already mentioned above – you are all absolute stars!
· The individuals and corporates who donated amazing lucky draws and raffles – incredible and diverse gems were won on the night and we sincerely hope the bidders who dug deep are more than happy with their winnings.
· Black-Coffee donated their time, energy and state of the art equipment to ensure a professional and eye-opening experience for all.
· James the DJ once again kept the crowd energised and impromptu dance moves were the order of the day!
· The S43 crew of bar tenders and waitrons were on the ball and ensured glasses were kept full and the burgers went down a treat indeed.
· Brand House for the Springboks at the door, setting the mood!
· Lastly, to everybody that endured the push and pull from yours truly, Manager of Team S.A, your patience resulted in a resounding success!
Thanks again and keep an eye out for further updates as we progress towards the grand departure for Fiji – with this kind of support behind the Team Medals are sure to follow!
Surfing South Africa is proud to announce that the Board of Directors has ratified the selection of the members of the national SUP team which will represent South Africa at the 5th ISA World Stand-up Paddle and Paddleboard Championships to be held in Fiji from 12th to 20th November 2016.
THE OFFICIAL PROMO VIDEO OF THE 2016 FIJI ISA WORLD SUP AND PADDLEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP
The national team to represent South Africa at the ISA World Championships is made up of athletes, coaches and management from Kwazulu – Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Thomas King and Roxy Davis (both Western Cape) and Brandon Ribbink (Kwazulu – Natal) will compete in the SUP Surfing discipline, Dylan Frick and Tarryn King (Western Cape)
Chris Couve (Gauteng), Jacqueline De Billot (Kwazulu-Natal) and Thomas King will participate in the SUP Racing discipline and Ribbink, Malec Odendaal (Kwazulu – Natal) Anna Notten and Candice Murray (Western Cape) will compete in the Prone Paddleboard racing division.
The Team Manager is Angela Whittle (Kwazulu-Natal and the Coaches are Shayne Chips (Kwazulu-Natal) and James Raaff (Western Cape)
“Surfing South Africa congratulates each member of the national SUP team on their selection to represent their country. This is a prestigious International Surfing Association sanctioned event and we look forward to watching the team waving the South African flag high in Fiji,” said Robin de Kock, General Manager of Surfing South Africa.
“We have a strong team representing South Africa at this year’s ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championships. This is testament to the growth of the sport along our coastline. With seasoned riders from last year’s event along with fresh new talent in the team, we can look forward to top-class performances in the water against the world’s top SUP surfing and paddling nations,” said Bruce Johnston, President of Stand-Up Paddling South Africa.
Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the recognized governing body for the sport of surfing in South Africa. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). SSA is a member of the International Surfing Association (ISA), the World governing body for the sport. www.isasurf.org. For more information about SSA visit www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za.
Robin de Kock
SSA General Manager
surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
0824541149
For further information on SUPSA and the national SUP team contact Bruce Johnston on president@supsa.org.za
WATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEARS WORLD CHAMPS MEXICO
The ISA will gather the world’s best SUP and Paddleboard athletes in Fiji from November 12-20 for the 2016 Fiji ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship!
2016 will mark the fifth edition of the competition, which has become the fastest growing in the ISA World Championship Series. In 2015 participation more than doubled since the event’s inception in 2012 as 27 Nations and 260 athletes graced the shores of Sayulita, Mexico in an incredible week of competition that resulted in Team USA earning their first-ever Gold Medal.
