The inaugural Freedom Paddle surfski race amplifies just how far South Africa has come in the past 24 years. It comprised about 200 paddlers braving the weather conditions and the currents to paddle around Robben Island.
Besides the multiple world champions who competed, the race was more about recognising the many people who spent time on Robben Island.
Not for the faint-hearted – a 28-kilometer-surfski paddle race in icy conditions with tides and currents to contend with.
The field included 10-time world marathon champion, Hank McGregor as well as Jasper Mocke and former Berg River Canoe Marathon champion, Graeme Solomon.
In the ladies division, the combination of the current World Champion Hayley Nixon and the World Junior Champion Sabina Lawrie would start as out-and-out favourites in the doubles with Bianca Beavitt, multiple winner of both The Cape Point Challenge and the Berg River Canoe Marathon in a single canoe.
Beavitt says, “It’s a beautiful paddle. It’s a great concept to go around Robben Island on Freedom Day. It’s a great symbolisation for SA, pretty much 27km on the 27th of April.”
In the men’s section Jasper Mocke and his partner Nicholas Notten proved too strong and were followed by Tyron Maher and Clinton Cook in second place with Matt Bowman and Philip Smith in third place.
Nixon and Lawries truimphed in the women’s section with Beavitt dominating in the single canoe.
