Sabina Lawrie

“Woah! They’re in trouble…!” I looked up to see a mountain of a wave racing in towards the northwest tip of Robben Island. A lone double surfski turned to meet it, the crew paddling frantically. Up, up, punch through the feathering crest… Phew, they were safe, but what about us?  

Cape Town – The women’s race for the 2019 edition of the Freedom Paddle surfski race around Robben Island on 27 April has been shaken up by the confirmation that the defending champions have split up, and current world champ Hayley Nixon has done a deal to reform her partnership with Michelle Burn that took them to the top five in the world in 2017.

The world's oldest surfski race, the Pirates Umhlanga Pirates, dished up some kind conditions as Hank McGregor and Hayley Nixon trounced their respective men's and ladies fields on Saturday.

A challenging 29km surfski race in front one of the most beautiful cities in the world, around one of the most iconic islands in the world, on a holiday dedicated to the liberation of South Africa...  What a way to celebrate!  

Cape Town's Table Mountain, viewed from the sea, is one the world's most spectacular landmarks...  and will be the backdrop to what is certain to become an iconic event in South Africa's surfski calendar.  The race, scheduled for South Africa's Freedom Day public holiday, is aimed at highlighting the serious environmental challenges facing the oceans.

Durban, South Africa - An uncharacteristic Tuesday night start due to the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon saw paddlers don pink from top to toe at the Lettie Surfski Challenge, all in support of the fight against cancer for race six of the 2018 FNB Surfski Series.