Van der Walt and Eder get in on the act
Durban – Durban North resident Grant van der Walt became the third winner in
as many races when he out sprinted last week’s winner Matt Bouman in the
Buddys Designated Drivers Surfski Challenge, race three of the Varsity
College Marine Surfski Series and in so doing blew the race for this year’s
series title wide open.
The Varsity College Sports Life student, having missed the opening two races
of the series due to river races, showed just what sort of form he is in and
reminded many of his superb ocean paddling skills despite being better known
to many for his efforts in the river.
“Matt (Bouman) and I both got off to really good starts and soon we opened up
a gap over my brother (Brandon van der Walt),” explained van der Walt. “From
then on it became a tactical race and we worked together as we tried to catch
the leading doubles.”
“We knew it would come down to the last can and a sprint up the beach and
fortunately I had the pull going into the last can which is always an
advantage and it was then about being the fastest person out the boat and
across the line.”
“Its always nice to start the season with a win and last year I was
struggling to stay with Hank (McGregor) and Matt (Bouman) so tonight’s win
definitely gives me a bit of confidence for the rest of the series,” he
added.
Having spent the majority of 2011 as part of the sprint squad Friday’s win
signals a strong return for van der Walt and the former junior world marathon
champ is hungry to build on this solid foundation in races to come.
“I’m now able to really focus my week around the series’ race on a Friday
evening and I’m just really loving being able to paddle on the ocean again,”
said Team Best 4 Kayak Centre member van der Walt.
“We haven’t had a race with everyone on the line just yet though so I’m
looking forward to when that does happen but with guys being away its given
some of the other guys an opportunity to shine and with some guys having done
really nicely in the first two races its given them good confidence and has
already started to bridge the gap between the first two or three and the rest
of the top guys,” he added.
van der Walt’s younger brother Brandon raced his way to the bottom step of
the podium behind 2011 series runner-up Bouman, whilst Mr. Consistency Oliver Burn claimed fourth.
In the ladies race it was series’ defending champ Michelle Eder of
Amanzimtoti who also made a strong comeback to the series which has a very
special place in her heart as she cruised to her victory in her first outing
in 2012 ahead of Varsity College Sports Life student Jenna Ward.
“It really was great to finally be back in the ski again. I wasn’t quite used
to the bumpy nature of the ocean compared to flatwater so it took a bit of
getting used to in the beginning but I didn’t fall out which was great!” said
Eder.
“After five or so kilometres I was definitely starting to hurt but it was
just great to get back into it again and I was so stoked to see so many girls
on the line whether in a double or a single.”
“The series is quite wide open now so I’m really hoping everyone will be
here next week and we can all have a bit of a dice,” she chuckled.
Highway brothers Adam and Luke Nisbet added another win to their tally and
the pair look to be hot favourites for the title in the doubles section as
they use the series as superb training ahead of next month’s The Unlimited
Dusi canoe marathon.
“We’re feeling good at the moment and are now starting to get some of our
speed back which is great, even though it is quite a short race,” said
younger brother Adam. “We’re obviously really happy with the win, especially
with us being up against a really strong doubles field tonight.”
In the short course singles Mthembeni Mkhize crossed the line in pole position whilst
Wayne and Elijah Symington claimed the spoils in the short course doubles category.
The Thule Surfski Challenge, race four of the Varsity College Marine Surfski
Series takes place at 17h30 on 3 February. More info can be found at
www.marineseries.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – BUDDYS DESIGNATED DRIVERS SURFSKI CHALLENGE
THIRD LEG OF THE VARSITY COLLEGE MARINE SURFSKI SERIES
LONG COURSE
SINGLES – MEN
1.Grant van der Walt 35.09
2.Matt Bouman 35.13
3.Brandon van der Walt 36.05
4.Oliver Burn 38.09
5.Murray Smith 38.35
6.Herman Chalupsky 38.41
7.Gavin Searle 39.51
8.Michael Collins 39.56
9.Mark Ussher 40.08
10.Byron McKie 40.18
SINGLES – WOMEN
1.Michelle Eder 42.05
2.Jenna Ward 48.07
3.Sharon Armstrong 51.26
DOUBLES
1.Adam Nisbet/Luke Nisbet 33.42
2.Mark Mulder/David Chaplin 34.14
3.Brett Challenor/Brett Bartho 34.39
SHORT COURSE
SINGLES
1.Mthembeni Mkhize 26.31
2.Kevin Waterston 26.48
3.Ryan Roberts 26.51
DOUBLES
1.Wayne Symington/Elijah Symington 26.35
2.Jody Taylor/Mitch Lupton 26.38
3.Steve Kitto/Philip Colepeper 26.41
ENDS
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Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series Logo |
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Varsity College Sports Life student and Team
Best 4 Kayak Centre member Grant van der Walt claimed his first victory of
the series when he claimed top honours in the Buddys Designated Drivers
Surfski Challenge, race three of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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Grant van der Walt out sprinted Matt Bouman to
claim the Buddys Designated Drivers Surfski
Challenge, race three of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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Race two's winner Matt Bouman claimed second
place in the Buddys Designated Drivers Surfski Challenge, race three of the
Varsity College Marine Surfski Series after a end sprint with Grant van der
Walt. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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2011 ladies defending champ Michelle Eder got
her name on the scoreboard when she claimed her first victory in 2012 at the
Buddys Designated Drivers Surfski Challenge, race three of the Varsity
College Marine Surfski Series. |
Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media |
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