Monday, 13 June 2011 12:09
World record entry for Dunlop Surfski World Cup
The Dunlop Surfski World Cup set a new world record when the 330 entries were received by the close of normal entries, making it the biggest international surfski event in the world.
With late entries now being taken, the deluge of last minute entries pushed the number of athletes taking part past the 296 world record set at last year's event.
Entries have been received from Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, France and New Zealand, with indications of several other international entries in the fortnight before the event on Sunday 26 June.
"We are delighted with the entry, which entrenches Durban's status as the global capital of surfski racing," said race director Billy Harker.
"We deliver brilliant value for money for the paddlers, and the fact that the race starts at the new Marine SLC clubhouse at Addington beach means that there is no risk whatsoever of mishap going out through the surf, makes it an attractive prospect for the paddlers."
The race has also been shortened by 6km, a move that clearly gone down well with the surfski community as well.
"The intention is to seek good downwind conditions for the event, and that the Dunlop Surfski World Cup should be a good test of downwind paddling ability, so we will adopt a flexible approach to the start time on Sunday 26 June to make sure we offer optimal conditions for the paddlers." he said.
A large contingent of surfski enthusiasts from clubs in Gauteng has entered the event, making it the biggest entry from highveld paddlers into the popular event.
Durban holds the world record for the biggest entry into a domestic surfski event to go alongside it's new international event record, with 525 surfski paddlers gathering for a domestic series race in May 2003.
"Every year the reputation of the Dunlop Surfski World Cup in Durban seems to snowball," Harker added. "The KwaZulu-Natal coastline seems to deliver every year, and whether we go north to Umdhloti or south to Toti, the scenery is spectacular, and the offshore really exciting."
The Dunlop Surfski World Cup starts at Marine SLC, Addington Beach on Sunday 26 June, and covers 26km to either Umdhloti or Amanzimtoti.
More information can be found at www.surfski.co.za
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