DURBAN – Durban will become the centre of focus for the surfski world when the top paddlers from all over the planet congregate for the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships on October 17-19.
South Africa, along with Australia, has dominated the surfski paddling scene since World Championships started in 2013, with a long list of male, female and U23 World Champions. Therefore it is entirely fitting that the first Ocean Racing World Championships to be held in Africa take place off the coast of Durban.
A strong field of the world’s best paddlers are expected to experience what promises to be a great test of ocean paddling skills, with one of two race courses likely to be used, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
Heading the field will be defending men’s champion Gordan Harbrecht from Germany, but he is sure to face a stern test from the Aussies lead led by three-time world champion Cory Hill, as well as a potent South African squad who are determined to add another World title to those won by Sean Rice (2013 and 2019), Nic Notten (2021) and Kenny Rice (2022).
The South African contingent includes official team members Notten, Uli Hart, Mark Keeling and Kenny Rice, but arguably the most motivated South African in the field will be Hank McGregor. The talented multiple Marathon World Champion has made no secret of the fact that an ocean racing world title is the one honour missing from his overflowing trophy room, and the Durban resident is keen to rectify that in his home conditions.
In the women’s race, Cape Town’s Kira Bester will be defending the women’s title she won in Portugal last year, but will face some stiff competition from fellow team members Nix Birkett, Saskia Hockly and Melanie Van Niekerk, as well as the trio of talented U23s Holly Smith, Georgia Singe and Jade Wilson.
One other local paddler who did not paddle the selection races but poses a potent challenge is KZN’s 2021 World Champion Michelle Burn, who, like McGregor, will be hoping to use her home-water knowledge to good effect.
The international women’s challenge looks likely to be coming from former senior world champions Danielle Richards from New Zealand and Australian Jemma Smith, and 2022 U23 World Champion, American Ana Swetish who was also runner up to Bester in the U23 competition for the past two years.
The action will be based around the Durban Undersea Club with races planned to start there and finish at either Westbrook north of Durban, or Amanzimtoti south of Durban, depending on the weather conditions and wind direction.
The World Championships singles race will be scheduled to take place on the best sea conditions over a three-day window period from October 17th to 19th, with the mixed doubles championships and other events planned for the remaining two days.
Entries opened in May and an impressive list of over 140 international paddlers have already signed up to compete for world titles in the official U18, U23 and senior age groups, as well as masters events for paddlers over 35 years old.