I drove 12 hours to the beautiful town of St Francis yesterday to take part in the Investec Sporty Anderson surfski race.

 

Well it was so worth the drive. I arrived late yesterday and met up with Chopper (Richard Von Wilderman) for a surf at Seals point and it lived up to its expectations. Every surfer needs to surf seals at least once. I grew up watching the famous surfing film Endless Summer 2 where Wingnut and Pat walk over the dunes to see the point in all its glory so finally coming to surf here was special. The surf was average but it was great getting in the water to get the drive out the system.

 

Last night I stayed on the Krom River with friends and then the ski race this morning!

 

The race was a 15km paddle from the main beach in St Francis bay out to the port, back past the start to the Krom, up the river through the cannels and back to finish at the main beach. The race was a great showcase for surfski racing taking up much of one of the post popular holiday beaches in the country. I had I good start through the surf and settled into the front bunch. The tactics for the day would be a stick to the locals and let them show me where to go and find a gap at the end. Steph Le Roux did most of the pulling. I was a bit nowhere after not paddling for 3 weeks. I found my gap towards the end and came home to win. Richard came through strong at the end to pip Stef on the line for 2^nd. Glad to see Rich getting fit and back to form.

 


Thanks to Tracy Barber for the awesome pic of me paddling during the race! 


Great atmosphere on the beach, laughing and joking with mates out of shot!

The race was in memory on Keith ‘sporty’ Anderson, a true legend who past away this year. It was an honour receiving the plate his family donated to the race. Thanks to the Anderson Family for coming down to hand out the prizes and support the race.

 

It’s also great to see the big boys like Investec getting involved in our great sport. It can only go from strength to strength.

 

The afternoon was spent on the Seals beach and surfing Seals point. I must say I am getting quite a tan! Got to love summer. We are going to see a local band called The Grand tonight, going to be a blast.