McDougall takes inaugural SA Schools Surfski Champs title

Durban – A stella evening of paddling ended on a high with Matt Bouman and Michelle Eder taking home the overall Varsity College Marine Surfski Series title, whilst youngster Terry McDougall walking away with the inaugural Varsity College SA Schools Surfski Championship.

On Friday evening paddlers flooded the shoreline of Ushaka Beach eager to make their mark on the final race of the series and with mildly choppy conditions the race was left wide open.

Bouman powered to the finish to win his ninth race of ten starts in the current series, whist having to make the best of the dark conditions. "As Durban gets closer to Winter it gets darker a lot quicker and we're still out there racing which makes is quite tricky," said Bouman.

The ace paddler will continue training through the Winter series and aims to peak at the Dunlop Surf Ski World Cup in May. "I've enjoyed this current series as the competition is always tough in Durban, which is good as it pushes me!" he added.

Michelle Eder of Amanzimtoti had a clean race and claimed her sixth series win ranking her as the overall ladies series winner. "It was a great race, a little hard to see out there when it got darker, but I got onto a doubles line and went deep and managed to grab some fantastic lines on the way back in," said Eder.

A field of 35 strong school kids signed up to compete in the SA Schools, including participants having travelled up from Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Richards Bay and Cape Town.

"It's unbelievable to see 35 school kids doing surf ski racing," said organiser Barry Lewin. "I have to say a big thanks to Canoeing South Africa for such an innovative programme, which will certainly bid surf ski paddling great things in the future!"

McDougall of Durban Boys High School has ranked high amongst the juniors in the current series, yet having a strong field of competing school boys forced McDougall to power on to stay on top. "The runs were a little harder to catch and there was far more competition in the water than I'm used to," said McDougall.

He managed to hold onto his position claiming the title, whilst being chased by Jason Aubin and Luke McNish both of Port Elizabeth who came in second and third consecutively. Along with the title McDougall won himself a cash consideration as well as a R30 000 bursary to be a part of the Varsity College Sport 'n Life Programme.

His focus is now set on training ahead of the Discovery Sunglasses Hut Surf Ski Series as well as competing in the Dunlop Surf Ski World Cup set for May 16.

Toti starlet Kerry Segal of Kingsway High School took home the title in the ladies SA Schools race was listed as the dark horse in the line up after having raced the majority of the series in a mixed double. "I recall witnessing Kerry (Segal) take an unbelievable time in a recent 500m K1 time trial, which is fantastic for her U16 age group," said Lewin.

Segal enjoyed having the extra pressure of having various other female competitors coming up from other regions. "It was a hard race, but it was great participating in the first ever SA Schools Champs and Varsity College's involvement has really done wonders for the surf ski paddling," said Segal.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS -
VARSITY COLLEGE SA SCHOOLS SURF SKI CHAMPS

Long course singles - boys
1.Terry McDougall 36:54 (U18)
2.Jason Aubin 37:06 (U18)
3.Luke McNish 37:35 (U18)
4.Desmond Peel 38:57 (U18)
5.Lorens Zeelie 39:16 (U18)

Long course singles - girls
1.Kerry Segal 42:06 (U16)
2.Jenna Ward 42:15 (U18)
3.Kylie Winterburn 44:39 (U18)