Nicholas "Niki" Notten

Nicholas "Niki" Notten is a titan of South African surfski, a 2021 World Champion, and as of 2026, he remains one of the fastest "downwind specialists" in the global circuit. While some champions rely on raw flat-water power, Notten is a master of "surfing the bumps"—using the kinetic energy of the ocean to maintain speeds that seem impossible to others.

The "Vindicated" World Champion

His most famous victory came at the 2021 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

The Breakthrough: Notten won the Senior Men’s title in messy, technical conditions, finishing a full minute ahead of Germany’s Gordan Harbrecht.

The "Point to Prove": Because the 2021 event took place during travel restrictions, some critics suggested the field was "diluted." Notten responded by returning home and dominating the Pete Marlin Surfski Race against the full strength of the South African field (the strongest in the world), effectively "vindicating" his world title.

The "Pete Marlin" Legend

If there is one race that defines Notten, it is the Pete Marlin in East London, SA.

He is a frequent winner of this race (including a major victory in late 2024), often using a "deep line" strategy—paddling further out to sea to catch larger, faster swells that other paddlers are afraid to hunt.

As of 2026, he is considered the most successful active paddler at this specific event.

Technique: The Cape Town Style

Growing up in the "Cape of Storms," Notten’s style is built for big, chaotic water.

Master of the "Run": He is famous for his ability to connect "runs" (waves). He rarely paddles at 100% effort; instead, he uses short, explosive bursts to hop from one wave to the next, a technique he studied during his Master of Science in Medicine, where he focused on monitoring training loads in kayakers.

Endurance: He is a consistent podium threat in the Cape Point Challenge, a brutal 52 km race around the Cape of Good Hope, proving his stamina matches his technical skill.

2025-2026 Performance

2025 World Championships (Durban): In a historic race on his home turf, Notten secured the Bronze Medal, sharing the podium with Cory Hill and Pierre Vilella.

2026 Focus: He currently leads the Shaw and Partners Race Team in several international events. His rivalry with fellow South African Kenny Rice and Australian Cory Hill remains the "main event" of any world cup he enters.

Fact File Details

Nationality South African (Cape Town)

World Titles 1 Senior (2021), 1 Junior Silver (2013)

Education MSc in Medicine (University of Cape Town)

Sponsor Nordic Kayaks / Euro Steel

Since you've been following the "Parade of Champions," would you like to see the current 2026 schedule for the "Shaw and Partners" World Series to see where Niki Notten will race next?