Durban Race 1 Photos
In 2005, the first Discovery Men's Health Winter series race in Durban saw a world record entry of some 507 paddlers. Would (could) the record be broken again? Signs were good at the series launch party... over six hundred paddlers had registered.
In the event, it wasn't to be...
Conditions were challenging: a strong northerly onshore wind combined with big waves meant that only experienced paddlers were likely to take part.
Billy Harker briefing the paddlers. (Photo: Craig Dutton)
A number of paddlers then set off prematurely, not waiting for the start behind the surf line, and were disqualified.
The scene at Addington Beach. (Photo: Craig Dutton)
A number of races in the Cape were cancelled this season because of weather conditions - we hope that the Durban series has better luck with the rest of their races.
Windswept, angry seas... (Photo: Craig Dutton)
Photographer Craig Dutton was there and sent these shots to surfski.info. (He took great photos of the 2005 Scottburgh to Brighton and of the 2005 Cape Point Challenge.)
Tumbles in the surf line. (Photo: Craig Dutton)