Written by Richard Philps and Anton Fouche
The 2-day, Dolphin Coast Challenge is one of the iconic Surf-Ski races in South Africa and 2013 was its 14th running.
Matt and Oscar win the 2014 Stellar Kayaks/Citadel Dolphin Coast Challenge in cracking style last weekend.
Credits: Lynne Hauptfleisch
Stella Kayaks along with Citadel Private Wealthcare presented the 2013 Dolphin Coast Challenge. A fresh approach to the format had a two man team racing in a double on the tougher of the two days and then splitting up and tackling the easier day in singles. The three times combined to decide the victors.
The success of this and other similar events, so often has much to do with the weather playing its part. This year was no different with little wind predicted for the first day and a moderate Southwester reflected on the popular Windguru site for Sunday. Race organizers had a tough time manipulating the start times to best fit the conditions with many a “Doubting Thomas” commenting on the apparent non- arrival of the SW early on day two. (The SW has been known to stop off for Tea at Trafalgar). Some even opting not to start the second day.
It turned out that the shorter 32km Zinkwazi to Salt Rock stretch was deemed to be toughest because of the lack of wind and was thus allocated to the doubles.
… paddles negotiating Salt Rock Surf …
Credits: Lynne Hauptfleisch
Day 1 – Tough enough!
Day 1 was hot with no wind at all. The entire field got away fairly cleanly through a moderate sea at Zinkwazi, although race favorites Hank McGreggor and Grant v d Walt were forced to stop mid ocean to adjust their equipment before resuming the task of chasing down the rest of the fast disappearing field. Matt Bouman partnered by, back seat coach, Oscar Chalupsky took advantage of this and managed to minimize their first day deficit to only 40 seconds, thus setting up an eagerly anticipated day two dual between the two front crews.
The start of day 1 – although the condtion’s were relatively mild, several crews took a swim on the way out Credits: Lynne Hauptfleisch
There were many a comment on how tough it had been with the majority of the field chasing the elusive runs, using up a little too much energy at the start leaving little in the tank for the last hour from around Jecks Estate, home.
The Dolphin Coast lived up to it’s name with plenty of sitings of dolphins, the ever popular humpback whales and many species of fish breaking the surface on a glorious day out. While paddling over the many reefs clearly visible along the route, the likes of Ross Poacher and Richard Philps, both avid divers, were overheard talking of how good the visibility was and how good it would be to be below the surface rather than toiling in their ski.
Day 2 – no WIND!
day 2 start …what’s that on the “HORIZON” Credits: Lynne Hauptfleisch
Day 2 dawned …………., had Windguru failed us. With the start delayed by half an hour a pretty sad looking bunch lined up at Durban’s Battery Beach for what looked to be a flat grind to Salt Rock. How wrong they turned out to be, by 08H00 the first signs of a glorious SW buster started to show and within half an hour the wind was at all time perfection. The sea was running wild and so were the Downwind Specialists. Occasional sounds of whooping could be heard above the roar of the wind. By then even the ripples had ripples on them.Hank with a little help from a quick “Duzi” portage down the beach seconds before the start, won again with Matt Bouman tight on his tail, less than a minute back. A monumental effort by, over 50 Legend, Oscar Chalupsky put the big “O” into third place on the day, ensuring that he and teammate Matt Bouman won the event overall, overnight leaders Hank and Grant second with Grant’s brother Brandon (Stomach) v d Walt and partner Brett Bartho completing the podium positions. The first of the summer bluebottles turned up mid race, forever reaching out with those nasty little trailing tails, hoping to snare a paddle or a strong gust of wind to flick themselves up onto an unsuspecting bit of exposed skin or into a footwell, ready to wreak havoc. Bryce Hatton had one such experience, almost swallowing one when it ended up in his mouth. A theory exists that the bluebottle venom gets the endorphins going in such a way that it boosts one’s energy levels. Can’t see too many takers testing this theory though.
Remarkably there was relatively little damage to craft considering that Matterhorn and his Gang were predicted to be lying in wait at the Salt Rock finish on Sunday.
paddle “POCKET” paddle Derek Hauptfleisch making a final run for the home
Credits: Lynne Hauptfleisch
The pool deck at the Salt Rock Hotel provided the perfect setting for the prize giving where good food and cold beers were excellently served and enjoyed by all.Big thanks to team GUEnergy SA and CMH Suzuki for the support.
Congratulations to Derek Hauptfleisch, Rowan Mathews and Nigel Stevens for completing their 10th DCC.
Final Results are posted on the Dolphin Coast Challenge Facebook page.