Durban's beachfront turns pink for Lettie Paddle Surfski Challenge, supporting cancer awareness

On a Tuesday evening, Durban's beachfront was awash in pink as participants from KwaZulu-Natal and other regions converged for the Lettie Paddle Surfski Challenge. This event, the seventh race in the 2016 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, served as a powerful display of solidarity for individuals battling cancer and a tribute to those who have succumbed to it. The race was rescheduled from its usual Friday slot to accommodate the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon, attracting paddlers from Cape Town and Johannesburg who were already in town for the renowned river competition.

In the competitive division, Hank McGregor (Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks) secured a final training run before embarking on the 120km FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon with his partner, Jasper Mocké. He commented on his performance, stating, "The conditions were quite calm tonight, so despite the Dusi starting on Thursday, it was satisfying to achieve another strong result in this year's Marine Surfski Series." McGregor also emphasized the significance of the event, adding, "It was truly special to participate in an evening like this; cancer touches everyone's lives in some way, making it wonderful to contribute to the Lettie Paddle initiative once more." McGregor outpaced his frequent competitor, Matthew Bouman (Epic Kayaks), who finished second, with Wade Krieger (Falcon Sports Travel) securing third place.

Meanwhile, Nicole Russell of Fenn Kayaks achieved her fifth victory in the series this year, finishing ahead of Hayley Nixon and Kyeta Purchase. This win positions her favorably for a potential series title. Russell expressed her passion for the sport, saying, "Whether I win or finish last, I simply adore being on my ski!" She also shared her ambition to win her first Marine Surfski Series title, having previously won other major surfski series.

The Lettie Paddle initiative was originally established by Danica Bartho to support Nikki 'Lettie' Haynes...

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