Sixty male and three female surf ski paddlers will set off from Bluewater Bay at 4am tomorrow on their first leg of the four-day, energy-sapping PE2EL Surf Ski Challenge.
This is the 50th anniversary of the event which is considered to be the toughest surf ski challenge in the world due to the treacherous seas around this part of the South African coastline and strong winds. This year could be even tougher than usual following predictions of rough seas and strong easterly winds. A final decision on the route will thus only take place this evening.
As things stand at present, the 18 doubles teams, two of which are mixed male and female, and 27 single paddlers, including one female, will paddle to Woody Cape on the first leg. The second leg will take them through Kenton-on-Sea to Port Alfred. The third leg is to Hamburg before the final leg that include a call at Kids Beach before paddling to their final destination, Oriental Nahoon.
The paddlers will be shadowed all the way by the NSRI who will handle the water safety and ensure surf ski counts at various points along the route.
The event’s title sponsor if Gqeberha-based company, Carbonology Sport, manufacturers of surf skis and related products,
The Echo will keep you updated should the ocean and weather conditions result in any changes.
