Local paddlers came out in large numbers to participate in the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club’s annual Daniel Conradie Memorial Surfski Race, which took place on Saturday 2 December. About 59 participants entered the race in honour of the late surfski pioneer Daniel Conradie, who was a member of the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club since the age of 16 and died of a heart attack while participating in a lifesaving competition on 5 December 1998. The 20 km paddle was held not only in his memory and as a celebration of his passion for the fledgling sport, but to remember Jan Schutte, Chris Grabe, Dave Phelps, Louis Carstens, Giel van Deventer and Glen McGregor. Strand Downwind Junkies and fellow ocean paddlers also showed their support for surfski legend Oscar Chalupsky, who is battling cancer, by competing in the challenge kitted out in yellow and embodying his slogan, “Never give up, never surrender”. Photo: Peter Bee


Making their way to the shoreline and crossing the finishing line first were duo Jared Shrimpton and Ryley Smith (left and centre). The 15-year-olds from Fish Hoek teamed up for the Daniel Conradie Memorial Surfski Race, which they toughed-out in just over 90 minutes. Other double results include veterans Johnathan van der Walt and Justin van Winkel who were the 2nd double surfski to finish and placed overall fourth; Herbert Conradie and August Lohann were the 3rd double surfski and placed overall 10th. The first single surfski’s were Zachary Preyser (01:32:08; pictured on the right), Luke Jean le Roux (01:33:16) and Dylan Farrell (01:35:35). The mixed surfski winners were Johan Wiid and Shaney Veen who finished overall 22nd (01:47:28). The runners-up were Shaun Butler and Jenny Cullinan who placed overall 26th (01:52:53). The ladies single results: Donia Kamstra from Strand (28th; 01:53:25), Bianca Beavitt (32nd; 01:53:57), Stephanie von der Heyde (37th; 02:00:48), Dominique Desmeules (44th; 02:18:14), Tamsin Lovelock (49th; 02:34:23).Photo: Jamey Gordon

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