With Portugal hosting the 2018 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships next weekend, a segment of the traditionally large South African contingent paddlers have flown out early to include the 2018 Nelo Summer Challenge surfski race on Friday, as part of their Iberian paddling extravaganza.
The ocean racing event is one of the biggest in Europe and is one of the most prestigious titles on offer, making this a race not to be missed by those who will be taking part in the World Marathon Championships.
Amongst the huge entry of South African paddlers is a strong elite men’s contingent that includes the Mocké brothers, David and Jasper, the Rice brothers, Sean and Kenny, as well as the multiple marathon world champion Hank McGregor.
Of the quintet, McGregor, Jasper Mocké and Kenny Rice will be racing in the World Marathon Championships. Mocké will only partake in the men’s K1 race on Saturday, while Rice and McGregor will race in the K2 event next Sunday giving them enough time to recover.
The local surfski scene should expect to witness Western Cape’s finest talents after a booming winter season, which well-tuned the Mocké and Rice brothers for the weekend ahead.
McGregor recently teamed up with Andy Birkett to win the recent Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge, they have also enjoyed mixing up surfski races with their flat water marathon training.
While dozens of other South African paddlers have entered the Nelo Summer Challenge, to show off their paddling depth across all age groups at the 19.5km event on Friday, there will be five SA women who will be taking part, including Hayley Nixon (pictured above) who has her sights set on becoming the champion.
Nixon who has been in sublime form this year, aims to continue her dominance in the ocean before teaming up with young Christie Mackenzie for the women’s K2 race at the World Marathon Championships.
In the senior ranks, recent sprint bronze medal winner Bridgitte Hartley will be out to show her incredible diversity in a boat.
Hartley won bronze in the women’s K1 1000m at the 2018 Canoe Sprint World Championships this past weekend, will hop into a surfski hoping to upset some of the title contenders.
Hartley will also be racing in the flat-water marathon championships next week in the women’s K1 and K2 races.
Also mounting a bid will be the young and current junior ocean racing world champion Sabina Lawrie. Lawrie hopes to press a top position this weekend as she will be racing in the U23 category at the flat-water marathon worlds.
Zara Wood, who has proved herself as a force to be reckoned with in the ocean and on flat water, will also be taking part this year. This will be an opportunity for the East London youngster to gain valuable experience from the world’s best ocean racers, as she will venture on to Prado Vila Verde for the marathon showdown.
A number of South Africans who will be taking part in the Nelo summer challenge will also be paddling in the ICF Masters World Cup starting early next week.
Photo: Jasper Mockee and Nixon in action, by Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media