Bouman and Burn Win in Durban
Michelle Burn charges to the finish
Credits: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
Durban - Series pacesetters Matt Bouman and Michelle Burn took home the spoils at the Vaaka Paddle Cadence Surfski Challenge on Friday night, the eighth leg of the popular FNB Surfski Series, best mastering the demands of the onshore Easterly weather conditions.
Downwind Ability Decisive
Racing a triangular course out into the prevailing weather and back to the race base at Marine SLC, it was ability in the downwind conditions that settled the podium places.
SMG/Epic Kayak's Matt Bouman had already wrapped up the overall series honours before taking his ski down to the water on Friday night, but revelled in the high standard of competition, and contextualised his win afterwards.
He had to work hard to keep series stalwarts Wade Krieger and Gene Prato at bay, and was quick to couch his win that extended his unassailable series lead by noting to absence of the Durban icon recently inducted into the World Paddle Awards Academy.
Matt "Waves" Bouman
"Look I am still missing Hank (McGregor). It's never the same racing without him, but the usual suspects Wade (Krieger and Gene (Prato) pushed me again tonight," said Bouman.
He insisted that he pondered Pythagoras while on the triangular course, enjoying the different conditions presented by the ocean for the race.
"Everything in this universe is made up of waves," he pondered philosophically. "There is something deeply spiritual within us that resonates with waves,
"It is just peaceful, and fun and just seems to heighten whatever the experience is," he added.
Bouman's purple patch in the FNB Surfski Series will be very satisfying for him, after enduring a frustrating 2017 in which he was dogged by a shoulder injury.
Race Video
Women's Race, Keenly Contested
The women's race was another keenly contested affair, with downwind ace Michelle Burn once again used her technical nous in the bumpy return leg to get away from Nicole Birkett, who is 23 weeks pregnant, on the homeward section back to Addington beach.
Siobhan Sharp punches through the surf at the start of the Vaaka Paddle Cadence Surfski Challenge
"I can't believe how well Nix (Birkett) is going at the moment!" enthused Burn. "I was only able to get away from her on the downwind leg.
"It was pretty hard work going into the wind," she added.
Powering away from the backline, Brent Chiazzari and Travis Slier won the men's doubles title
Jenna Ward opted to stay in the mixed double category where she has enjoyed success with Luke Nisbett, and repeated what they did last week by posting the fastest double ski time of the evening.
The short Course was won by Sanele Nxumalo from junior Connor Botha and the double ski crew of Carmel Bilson and Paige Horn.
Race Nine, the HiQ Surfski Challenge, of the 2018 FNB Surfski Series takes place at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club on Friday, 9 March.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS -VAAKA PADDLE CADENCE SURFSKI CHALLENGE
Overall Singles
1.Matthew Bouman 32.22
2.Wade Krieger 33.10
3.Gene Prato 33.37
4.Ian Black 33.56
5.Jordon Clauson 34.08
Doubles
1.Luke Nisbet/Jenna Ward 33.04
2.Brent Chiazzari/Travis Slier 33.15
3.Tyron Maher/Trevor Maher 33.37
4.Donna Winter/Shaun Burgin 34.04
5.Zoog Haynes/Matt Maroun 34.08
Women
1.Michelle Burn 40.07
2.Nicole Birkett 41.08
3.Sharon Armstrong 46.21
Women Doubles
1.Lynn Bennett/Debbie Gillett 41.01
2.Louisa van Staaden/Wilma Deysel 44.38
3.Amy Peckett/Cara Waud 50.58
Mixed Double
1.Luke Nisbet/Jenna Ward 33.04
2.Donna Winter/Shaun Burgin 34.04
3.Gareth Miles/Raquel Arcediano 38.14
Short Course
Overall Singles
1.Sanele Nxumalo 21.59
2.Connor Botha 22.21
3.Carmel Bilson/Paige Horn 22.40
More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za.