Paddlers to circle Robben Island for Madiba

South Africa’s top paddlers are set to take part in Friday’s inaugural Freedom Paddle Surfski race around Robben Island to mark Freedom Day.

Close to 200 paddlers will circumnavigate the iconic island.

Race organiser, Robin Tindall says the surfski community wants to make a meaningful contribution to Freedom Day by celebrating former president, Nelson Mandela.

“It is a race from Oceana powerboat club which is next to the waterfront. And we’ve got SA surfski paddlers, kayakers, doing 28kms from Oceana to Robben Island, around Robben Island and back to Oceana. It’s 28 kms of serious racing and a fantastic event on Freedom Day called the freedom paddle and the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birthday as well, fantastic event.”