Local paddlers make waves in epic surfski challenge
SIX intrepid paddlers from Ballito and Richards Bay have successfully completed the inaugural ‘100 Miler Harbour to Harbour’ challenge, a gruelling 160-kilometre race from Durban to Richards Bay. Last week’s epic event marked the first of its kind in the world for surfski paddlers, pushing the limits of athleticism in open ocean conditions.
Initially the brainchild of Salt Rock’s Quinton Rutherford, the race quickly garnered the enthusiasm of fellow north coasters; Bevan Manson, Brent Chiazzari, and Clyde Barendse. They were later joined by Clinton Wissekerke from Richards Bay and Brett Hadiaris from Durban, forming a cohesive team that conquered the unprecedented challenge.
The race commenced at dawn on November 25, with participants battling the elements throughout the day. Manson emerged victorious, finishing in an impressive 11 hours and five minutes, followed closely by Chiazzari in 12h13m and Rutherford in third with his 12h15m. Hadiaris completed the course in 12h46m, while Wissekerke and Barendse crossed the finish line at 13h49m and 14h07m, respectively.
Manson, a 46-year-old Sales and Marketing specialist, described the achievement as an extraordinary experience. “Completing the first-ever 100-miler open ocean surfski race is a proud moment for me, especially winning it by over an hour. Just finishing such a challenging event felt like a massive achievement. Looking back, there are many stand-out moments,” he reflected.
Manson said that he managed on race day by following a set plan to finish. “I stuck to my plan, stayed patient, and followed my nutrition strategy perfectly. I finished strong, paddling hard and consistently for the final 20 km. I felt good at the finish and recovered quickly, which made me proud of my approach,” said Manson.
He attributed his success to strategic preparation rather than excessive training. “I paddled only once a week, but each session was purposeful, mimicking race-day conditions. It took months of deliberate preparation to get ready, showing that smart training can outperform sheer volume,” he noted.
Rutherford, aged 54, brings decades of experience, having started paddling canoes 34 years ago down the Duzi River. “There are various paddling disciplines, but my most significant results have come from ocean races,” he said.
He explained how the race was a collaborative effort among local paddlers, introducing live tracking and video updates to the event format. “To train for something like this is tough; you must simulate racing conditions to prepare mentally and physically for the distance, stress, and time involved,” Rutherford stated.
As they embarked on this odyssey at 4 am, the team found themselves facing unforeseen challenges. “The heat and dehydration were harsher than expected. I ran out of energy with 20 kilometres to go,” Rutherford admitted, finishing shortly after 5 pm.
Beyond just a physical challenge, the team viewed this race as a means to explore their limits and reveal innate strengths. Both Manson and Rutherford said that they felt a profound sense of fulfilment from the experience, and were eagerly anticipating their next adventure together.