Surfski Paddlers Share the Ocean with the Greatest Shoal on World Ocean Day

South Africa’s top paddlers were treated to a visit by shoals of silver sardines on World Ocean Day (Sunday, 8 June) as they competed in the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge from Scottburgh Main Beach to Aliwal Shoal MPA and back. It was Michelle Burn (Umhlanga, KZN) and Matthew Bouman (Umhlanga, KZN) who took the top titles, while Deirdre Bentley (Amanzimtoti) and Kwanele Banda (Umgababa) won the doubles event of this hotly-contested race that saw the culmination of Ocean Festival, running from 5 to 8 June.

“What a spectacular addition, having the Sardine Run coincide with the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge as we celebrate World Ocean Day,” commented Barry Lewin, Event Organiser and Race Director. “A huge congratulations to all our competitors for such an impressive display of skill and to our fantastic sponsors for another successful Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge.”

He said the day’s conditions were fantastic for the 16km race: “We had exhilarating downwind conditions for the race home, so the paddlers had a great time. From the Event Organiser’s perspective, it couldn’t have gone better, with the ocean delivering on a day that is earmarked for celebrating marine life.”

Paddlers Praise Race Conditions

Speaking after the event, Michelle Burn said the spectators brought some great energy to Scottburgh: “The wind came a little earlier than expected, so we had a tough headwind to paddle into at the start, but knowing that we were being rewarded with a good downwind coming back made it very manageable. It was a great race – I loved it as usual.”

Matt Bouman agreed, saying it was great to be back on the KZN South Coast: “The event is driven by so many good people and their genuinely positive initiatives! The water was warm, clean, and calm as we began our warmups, after which, the anticipated south-westerly had already started blowing, which made for a fun and challenging race.”

He said the win wasn’t without challenge: “My race took an interesting turn when I hooked a fishing line with my rudder while rounding the pool at Scottburgh. I had to jump off and untangle it, so I spent a long stretch chasing the leaders. Both Luke [Nisbet] and Brent [Chiazzari] were paddling strongly and handled the very lumpy headwind well.

“At the halfway mark, we paused briefly as it took a moment to spot the turning buoy anchored off Rocky Bay Point. After the turn, it was paddling utopia—the runs and swell lined up perfectly for a short, fast, and incredibly fun paddle home.”

Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge Results

Men’s Race

1st: Matthew Bouman

2nd: Brent Chiazzari

3rd: Luke Nisbet

4th: Barry Lewin

5th: Luke O’Connor

6th: Jacques Theron

7th: Bryce Lawson

8th: Jayden Jansen van Rensburg

9th: Shaun Burgin

10th: Mat Carlisle

Women’s Race

1st: Michelle Burn

2nd: Mikaila Brown

3rd: Tracey Nuss

Double’s Race

1st: Deirdre Bentley and Kwanele Banda

2nd: Thabani Msia and Siyanda Gwamanda

3rd: Lindokuhle Maphumulo and Bongani Ntinga

4th: Steven Jones and Marc Diamond

5th: Craig Smith and Robyn McGregor

6th: Jeannie Dreyer and Martin Dreyer

Ocean Festival Events

Beyond the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge, Ocean Festival visitors enjoyed a variety of planned events and activities suited to all ages. These included:

• Beach clean-up at Scottburgh Main Beach 
• Aliwal Shoal scuba diving reef clean-up
• School education workshop
• Ocean conservation science and research presentations
• Exclusive film screening at Premier Hotel Cutty Sark
• Live music and entertainment evening
• Sunrise Beach yoga & movement

Thanks were extended to Ocean Festival sponsors: Halfway Group, Leatherback Rum, and the Pumpsmith.

Check @theoceanfestival on Instagram and Facebook, and www.oceanfestival.co.za website for the most updated Ocean Festival programme details. Contact Barry Lewin on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more on the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge