It was a mad rush getting to lifesaving on time after my coaching on Saturday morning but luckily they started the programme with board races first which took the pressure off a bit.

 

Lining up in my Titan spec ski by Custom Kayaks. Great pic By Andrew Campbell

It gave me time to warm up. So glad I got the opportunity as I haven’t been on my spec ski in months and my jum...

The marine series was back on tonight with its 2^nd race after a break last week for the Duzi canoe marathon. The conditions were also back to normal after massive surf kept the field very honest 2 weeks go.

 

I had a great start and had 2 boat lengths lead at the first can. These marine races are really short, 8km exact (on my Garmin 305 GPS system) so it’s possible to stay away if you get a small gap. I hit it on the gas heading down to the second buy off North Beach. The new Yellow buys the marine used for the first time this week work...

The weather gods haven’t blessed the school with the greatest conditions the last two weeks but so is mother mature. The school has all its new ski’s and is rearing to go as the weather improves as we head out of the windy season.

 

Programme for the classes this weekend the 26th Jan! Note Classes back to SAT!  

 

8am – Ocean Expert (the marine series is upon us, let get training)

9am – Ocean Paddler (learning to catch a wave)

10am – ABC

11am – ABC

Water Water and more Water!

 

Today’s second day of the Duzi river canoe marathon was great fun in the full river between Duzi Bridge and Inanda dam. Justin and I had a much faster day than yesterday coming home in 3h40 min in 168^th place, a good 87 places up on yesterday.

 

Our sudden rise in positions was a result of us simply not getting out the boat. There are many places on the 45km stretch of river that most people would consider staying in the river. The first is at Ibis Point where there are normally peop...

The focus for the last 6 months or so has been pretty intense racing and although it is fun one needs a change mow and again. So off down the Duzi river canoe marathon for a change of scenery.

 

I was originally going to paddle with my best mate Rus but unfortunately the race didn’t accept our entry so had a boat and no partner. Luckily I got a ring from Justin Swart (ex springbok rugby player) looking for a partner. Bonus!

 

Justin is currently living in Stellenbosch outside Cape Town so we didn’t get much time in th...

The paddling world is absorbed this week with the Dusi River canoe marathon with some of the coaches taking part and many going to watch on Saturday’s finish, the Varsity College Surfskischool classes will be on Sunday this week. The classes will be at the same times and booking is essential on 0836600936.

 

Programme for the classes this weekend the 20th Jan!

 

8am – Ocean Expert (the marine series is upon us, let get training)

9am – Ocean Paddler (learning to catch a wave)

10am – ...

The marine series in known as the easiest launch in Durban and the short 8km perfect for new people to getting into the sport. Well Friday evening produced non of the calm easy stuff and rather mother nature decided to show everyone who is boss. The east really blew hard on Thursday bringing the good well from earlier in the week into the bay and by Friday the surf was not small to say the least. It was massive! 



I...

The Varsity College Surfskischool got off to a rainy start on the weekend but that didn’t deter the brave surfski warriors for the morning’s classes. Those who braved the rain were greatly rewarded with awesome paddling conditions and the privilege of paddling with a school of dolphins! Thanks to those who supported our first class for the year.

 

The surfski season kicks off properly this week with the Kia motors marine series starting on Friday evening from addington beach. The races are really novice friendly so get down to the beach for a padd...

It’s that time of year again to dust off the skis from their Xmas break to take on the funnest series on the calendar. The races are run from the marine lifesaving club at addington beach with is the best launch in Durban.

The races start at 530pm on 10 Fri evenings. The course consists of a 2 lapper totalling 8km staying close to shore for safety. Nice and short! What a great way to start the weekend, head down to the beach after work and smash out a paddle in the warm Durban water, have a couple of cold Hansa’s with your mates and share some war stories i...

Custom Kayaks have just launched a new double ski called the Apex.

Click here to see photo's!

 

I was involved to some extent in the testing of the prototype but was really keen to see the final product. The prototype or plug was extremely heavy and didn’t give me a true reflection of how the boat would really go. Over the last couple weeks I have watched my dad put in the final touches and preparing for moulding. It’s an intense process of shaping, sanding and polishing. I mu...

 

The Durban Surfskischool is back!!!!!!!!!!!!! Opps, got that one wrong, sorry

 

The Varsity College Surfskischool is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes that’s right the surfskischool has a new title sponsor. We are very proud to announce that we will now be called the Varsity College Surfskischool. We have some nice new boats thanks to the support of our great sponsors Varsity College and Custom Kayaks, so we are in store for a cracker year of surfski paddling.

 

After a nice break the sch...

Went out in Cape St Francis last night to see a band at the resort. The band consists of just 2 doods who just dig music and sharing it with their mates. They play gigs for the fun of it and have little plans of being famous or making money from their music.

 

Sounds strange, a couple amateur doods playing a gig, could be fun I thought. Well The Grand shocked me. They are flippen amazing and rocked the evening away. Maybe they should rethink their strategy and take their music more seriously, or is it their laid back demeanour that gives them the edge.

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 ...

What do I do on my month off?

 

One would think I would get board, well the reverse happens. I end up enjoying all the fun things I get up to and it normally runs away with me.

 

This holiday has been great, been working on the website, some sponsors proposals and hanging out with mates. Been down the south coast once or twice to surf with great friends. Doesn’t get much better!

 

Why take a break?

 

First to give the body a rest and more importantly t...

 

After a great week back home in the land of the living and well fuelled with my mothers amazing chow I headed down the south coast for the annual Winkle Toti Winkle surfski race. 

I am lead to believe the race is the 3^rd oldest in the world and has been a happy hunting ground for me in the past. I have won this race 5 times in a row from when I was a junior. I unfortunately missed the race last year with my dad keeping the trophy in the family by winning it my absence. Go Bullet!

 

I really like the people dow...