The first Battle of the Bay open water paddling competition was held on the 13th of November. The competition was based on the Battle of the Paddle competition held in America where there were 1000+ participants participating this year.

Contest organizer Gary Van Rooyen saw this amazing event and decided to do a local version. The race was held in False Bay from the town of Fish Hoek to Muizenberg. The course is about 5km.

Registration on Friday night at the new Coreban Development HQ included a skippers meeting and information on the upcoming Summer and Core Series. Contestants were given Goodie Bags with products worth well over the R 100 entrance fee. 

Saturday morning saw perfect conditions for the Race. A light W-SW Wind was on the Paddlers backs at the start and looked ideal for the race. Race registration was a painless affair. The starting line was well organized with a line being drawn in the sand and competitors of different classes wearing different coloured rashies. The Vuvuzela starting horn got the 34 contestants on their way with the top riders in the 12'7 class cutting their way through the pack. 

Most of the competitors opted for an inshore route following the Surfski lead. Competition was tight paddling past some really scenic places. The light breeze really helped the paddlers with the winner reaching an Average speed of 8.6km/h. 

The last challenge for the competitors was negotiating a crowded Muizenberg lineup wich everybody seemed to do with ease.

Special Mention goes to:

Ross Lahana for SUPing for +- a month and winning this event.

David Smith for being 3 mins behind the Race Boards on an 11'6.

Francois Frick for doing so well on an 11'2 with very little volume.

Dylan Frick who at the age of 15 did it in 37 min 37 seconds coming 7th overall.

John Versveld who did the 5km on a 9'6.

Prize giving was held at the Coffee Shabean with some great prizes. 

Tom Figl won the luckydraw for the Go Pro and Kim Duvenage won a beautiful Wooden Paddle for the Competitor of the Race.

A special thanx goes to

Gary Van Rooyen for organizing such an awesome event. It was flawless with everything including the weather going according to plan.

The Fish Hoek Lifesavers who did a sterling job patrolling the fleet and keeping an eye on the competitors.

All the Sponsors including DUESOUTH, Go Pro, Toll, Coreban, New Balance, Vit-T-Go, Film Sunscreen, Hooley, True Blue Travel, Fishbone, Coffee Shabean, Xpression on the Beach, Blue Bear and Martin Coetzee.

We are all looking forward to the event next year.

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