Wise old heads take early lead in Varisty College Marine Surfski Series
Durban – The Borland Financial Services Surfski Challenge got the 2012
Varsity College Marine Surfski Series underway on Friday evening with the
vastly experienced Herman Chalupsky the first of the record field of over 350
surfski paddlers across the line in testing conditions.
Chalupsky got off to a good start with Team Jeep’s Barry Lewin and then raced
a conservative first half of the race before really knuckling down and edging
away from his nearest competitors and claiming a victory which could possibly
signal the start of formidable comeback for the paddling ace.
“Yeah it was nice to be able to get a win in today. I didn’t expect too much
coming into the race as I’ve only been training a couple of times a week,
mainly to try work off a couple beers more than anything else, but I enjoyed
the conditions,” said Chalupsky.
“Barry (Lewin) and I got away quite nicely and we sat together for the first
lap and then I managed to drop him on the second lap,” he added.
The former great was also hugely impressed by the turn out for the first leg
of the ten race series and looks forward to the new record field turning out
in their droves for the remainder of the novice-friendly series.
“It’s great to see such a massive turnout for the start of the series. At one
point not so long ago numbers were dropping off quite a bit but to see how
big things have gotten recently is fantastic. The numbers on the line tonight
was really something special!” said Chalupsky.
Meanwhile a slightly frustrated Lewin had to settle for second after
struggling on the second lap of the eight kilometer course and having a rare
swim on his way in to the finish with Oliver Burn claiming the final step on
the podium.
“Conditions certainly weren’t easy this evening. We all had to punch quite a
few foamies on the way out and then it was all about timing your charge
through the impact zone right,” said Lewin.
“Fortunately Herman and I managed to get away from the rest quite quickly but
then I just ran out of steam on the second lap, Herman came through and that
was that,” he added.
In the ladies race it was another legend who claimed the spoils with
lifesaving great Jenna Venter coming back from the surfski wilderness however
despite her lengthy layoff from the sport her form of old and many years of
experience saw her comfortably across the line in first place.
“It was really awesome to be able to test my surf skills again. I haven’t
been in the water for quite some time and I was actually really nervous on
the startline,” said Venter.
“I’ve really missed the whole crowd and the swapping of war stories after a
race so I really enjoyed being back and I will certainly be there for as many
races as I can but I’m just enjoying myself and having a good time at the
moment.”
“It was also absolutely amazing to see so many young girls in particular
getting into the water and doing really well in difficult conditions. I was
really impressed and it bodes really well for the future of the sport!” she
added.
In the doubles category it was the Nisbet brothers of Westville who took the
top honours whilst Jeffrey Smith and Wayne Thompson were second and Warren
Valentine and Ken Collins third.
“I broke my single recently so I was just really lucky Adam offered to do
tonight’s race in a double and fortunately everything managed to work out for
us quite nicely,” said Luke.
“We’re doing Dusi together so I just thought a bit more time in the boat
together was good for us, especially with me having been overseas for a
couple weeks recently and so am down on bit of fitness. Luke was really
strong in the back tonight and hopefully we can keep things going in the
races to come,” added Adam.
Race two, the Billy the Bums Surfski Challenge takes place on Friday 20
January at 17h30 at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club. More info can be found at
www.marineseries.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – BORLAND FINANCIAL SERVICES
FIRST LEG OF THE VARSITY COLLEGE MARINE SURFSKI SERIES
LONG COURSE
SINGLES – MEN
1.Herman Chalupsky 34:08
2.Barry Lewin 35:31
3.Oliver Burn 35:55
4.Murray Smith 36:01
5.Mark Lewin 37:42
6.Matt Carlisle 38:07
7.Shaun Austin 38:14
8.Simon D’Aubrey 38:17
9.Konrad Karcz 38:45
10.Gene Prato (U18) 38:52
SINGLES – WOMEN
1.Jenna Venter 44:46
2.Natalie Veckranges 47:21
3.Sharon Armstrong 52:18
DOUBLES
1.Luke Nisbet/Adam Nisbet 32:40
2.Jeffrey Smith/Wayne Thompson 33:52
3.Warren Valentine/Ken Collins 34:30
SHORT COURSE
1.Gordon Spalding 26:43
2.Ryan Roberts 27:03
3.Colin Makhubu 27:57
ENDS
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Luke Nisbet (front) claimed the spoils in the
doubles category of the Borland Finacial Services Surfski Challenge, race
one of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, with his brother Adam. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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Series organiser and Team Jeep member Barry
Lewin makes his way in through the surf during the Borland Financial
Services Surfski Challenge, race one of the Varsity College Marine Surfski
Series en route to his second place finish behind Herman Chalupsky. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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