Training is going really well for the 2 big races of the season. Started to taper speeds in the boat are getting better every day. I decided to skip the race this weekend (Pirates Umhlanga Pirates) to make sure the body is fresh and ready for a good run on the world cups.

Can’t wait to fly to Mauritius on Tuesday. Mates already there are raving about the spot. Let hope there is wind.

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The whether man has been bleating all week about the swell hitting the coast over the weekend. Well obviously has to can Varsity College Surfskischool Lessons as the reports didn’t disappoint with massive surf. Lets say training was land based!

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I recently bought a new car, a cool little bakkie. So stoked. Well fitting it out to handle all my toys was so easy thanks to Thule.

Thule have a new product for bakkie’s. It’s simply clamps to the lip of the bin and carries all my specialised equipment in safety.

Thanks to Richard and his team for fitting my cab with the wicked carriers. My surfski’s, mountain bikes and surfboards have been riding in style. Check out www.thule.co.za to hook yourself up with the best.
 

Can you believe it but some of my amazing Jantex paddles got stolen a couple weeks ago. What a mission. Jan really helped me out and posted me some new paddles. What a legend dood.  Thanks Jan. I am loving the new stiff shaft in the Gamma Medium blade. Got to test one, they amazing.

The blades came with some cool posters with photos of the athletes that dominate with their blades.

Check out Jantex’s cool website www.jantex.sk
&n...

Just to make sure the shoulder issues from earlier in the year don’t come back I have been doing tons of stretching and when my legendary Physio is in the country Julia has been making sure I am on the right track. She put needles in my back in our last session and thought this photo looks way cool. Ps the needle is 9cm long.

Will try post some of the cool stretches I have been doing soon!
 

I had an awesome dinner with some friends earlier in the week. Mike Arthur is back from a solid sprinting campaign in Europe. He has started a new blog, check it out at http://www.anchormanmike.blogspot.com/.

Housemate Ant Stott is also on track for a good weekend at the SA marathon champs in Plett. The event is being billed as the most competitive marathon race in SA in 20 years. Check out how Ant’s training has been going and his thoughts before the weekend at http://antstott.wordpress.com/

Dan Hugo is still campaigning on the Xterra USA series. Check...

All photos by legend Anthony Grote. www.anthonygrote.com

Written by Game Plan Media. www.gameplanmedia.co.za

Scottburgh - Matt Bouman extended his unbeaten run in the Discovery Men's Health surf ski series with an emphatic victory in the Island Tribe Scottburgh Surf Classic, while Michelle Eder posted her maiden series win in tricky South Coast surf conditions.

Bouman dominate...

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Well this doesn’t need to be a bummer being the middle of winter. Durban Just doesn’t have winter, hehe so the Surfski Series head honcho Billy Harker held a weekend of adventure on the south coast with the surfski race at Scottbrugh.

Saturday, trail run, mountain bike, rugby on a big screen and a band. Sunday, race 7 of the surfski series.

I make no graces about hating running so I took on the mountain bike for the Saturday’s activities. Was planning on doing the 25km but got lost in the ...

The body simply didn’t fire today. Sore and stiff from a tough weeks training the muscles felt heavy. The surf turns made the race super fun, luckily kept my hair dry and paddled clever to hold 2nd. Matt Bouman far in the distance. Tough racing tired.

My boet Warren came down to watch the finish of the race, which made it a family affair. Amazing day out with Durban dishing out its best!  
 

Written by Game Plan Media. www.gameplanmedia.co.za

Tough Durban swells bring Bouman and Eray their sixth series title

Durban - Rough seas played havoc with the Hi-Q Marine race which formed the sixth leg of the popular Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski Series but this didn't stop the series pacesetters Matt Bouman and Michéle Eray from winning, and extending their unbeaten runs in this winter's series.

The men's race was shrouded in drama after Herman Chalupsky arrived at the finish of the 15 kilometre, two lap race a full six minutes ahead of Bou...

Some very raw footage from out paddle down the coast on wed!

Looking at training for the week I really needed to get in at least one long paddle with the race on the weekend only being a lap race in the bay. With a couple of phone calls a team was assembled. Downwind here we come.

The team assembled were 2 East Cape invaders, Michele Eray (best women’s surfski paddler in the world right now) and Steve Woods (world traveller) along with Mark Mulder (top river paddler convert to surfski coming top 10 th...

Organised my best mates Rus's (left) bulls party on Saturday. Golf and Braai on the South Coast.

First downwind of the season.

Bought a new car, about time!

Watch this space – New beginners boat by Custom Kayaks

I have been testing a new beginner boat my dad, Mark is designing at the moment. It doesn't have a name yet but I snuck some photos of the boat, shhhh, no one is supposed to know!

The first test is done and the boat is back in the sign show with some fine-tuning edits especial...

Good friend Ewan Cochran has started up an amazing little business called the Jeep Multisport School. The main focus is on Multi Kids, a group of kids from 9-13. With Multisport growing at such an alarming rate its amazing to see Ewan getting the little dood involved. Good on YA!

They also do Ladies mountain bike clinics, team building and are running a multisport training workshop this weekend to get you ready for the Jeep Apparel Multisport series starting on...

Written by Game plan Media. www.gameplanmedia.co.za

Durban - Matt Bouman survived a day of high drama, including  ploughing through fishing lines to claim his fifth successive win of the Durban winter Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski Series at the Discovery Winkelspruit Race.

Spectators lined the Winklespruit beach in chilly winter conditions to watch the line of competitors arrive at the finish after a long 23 km race from Scottburgh. Moment...

All photos by Anthony Grote. www.anthonygrote.com

Looking like a drowed rat after a swim coming in at Winkle.

I have been playing around on Twitter for a while and am just amazed at its growth and popularity. If you are not on Twitter, go find out more at www.twitter.com. This is huge! Think the key on it's growth as it is mobile and messages can be sent straight to your phone. How cool.

If you are on twitter, my user name is simply BarryLewin. I am updating it regularly! Please send me your user names so I can follow you to, drop me a line with your usernames to barry@barrylewin.co.za  
 

In Novermber last year I spent a couple weeks training with the national sprint squad on training camp. Was a treat leaning from them and hanging out with some amazing people. Well the sprinters have been dominating the World Cup's this year. I just got this story from their latest success. Well done!

Press Release - Written by Marc Cloete (SA Pa...

Surfski Series Race 5 – Race Report – 3rd

The last couple week racing in the bay of Durban have been cool, good weather, sunshine, a little wind, tons of fun. Time for a new challenge and some proper open ocean freedom.

The surfski series moved to a more exciting and challenging course on the south coast today. The first downwind of the series from Scottbrough to Winkle. Conditions were light but really fun.

There were 4 boats in contention of Matt Bouman, Herman, Oscar and myself. Had a good start this week and let the first secti...

Friday was a reality check for me, signing autographs for little kids, explaining to their amazement what surfski was and what I do day to day in the sea.

Was special to see the smiles and spirited national anthem. Thanks to Fearne Gilson and his team for the invite and a cool interview and punt by Max Cluer. I wish the school all the best!

Photos soon, I cant find my camera!  
 

In the recent SARLA rugby legends challenge Team Jeep South Africa dominated from start to finish. Well this is not the only place they are dominating.

Check out Jeep Apparel’s latest rage of classic clothing on their website www.jeepsa.co.za

I have to say I am blessed to have some great support. It’s amazing to work with some really dynamic people and be involved in such an iconic brand just as Jeep!

Jeep Apparel...

All photos by Anthony Grote. www.anthonygrote.com

Written by Game Plan Media. www.gameplanmedia.com

Durban - Series pace setters Matt Bouman and Michéle Eray claim their fourth successive wins in the Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski Series at the Hansa Five Beaches held at Marine after race organisers changed the course of the popular race due to strong swells on the South Coast.

The format was changed to a two lap trip from Marine to Blue Lagoon making the long course a hard 20 kilometr...