First-ever Paddle Fest off to a great start with coaching, competitions, and crowds!

Paddle Fest 2025, running in Durban and the North Coast from 18 to 20 April, welcomed seasoned paddlers and interested newbies to the Durban Underwater Club for an epic first day! Spectators were treated to some top action as paddlers battled it out in the 800m Reef Shootout at Vetchies across 7 categories.

This three-day festival, organised by South Africa Surf Ski and sponsored by Engen Ballito and The Pumpsmith, includes the popular Engen Ballito Downwind on Sunday as the headliner, as well as hosting the KZN Singles Surf Ski Championships. The kick-off event was the Reef Shootout at Vetchies - a knockout format where paddlers raced out around some buoys, and back to the beach at DUC. The paddlers lined up in 7 categories, with each round knocking out others until the final 5, who raced in the final for a cash prize.

Durban paddling legend Luke Nisbet and Olympic paddler Tiffany Koch dominated the day, claiming victories in both the Long Distance Ski (Men/Women) and Lifesaving Ski (Men/Women) categories.

“We’d like to congratulate all the competitors who participated in what was an amazing start to the first-ever Paddle Fest,” said Barry Lewin, Event Organiser.

“This was a nail-biting event that gave spectators the opportunity to witness all the ocean-based action. We were also excited by the response to our free SASS Coaching Session ahead of the race, where people who’ve never tried the sport were given some tips and expert insight. We hope this will open up paddling to a new group of people!”

Results of the Reef Shootout at Vetchies

Long Distance Ski Men

1st: Luke Nisbet

2nd: Luke O’ Connor

3rd: Jayden van Rensburg

Long Distance Ski Ladies

1st: Tiffany Koch

2nd: Bronwyn Wissekerke

3rd: Tracy Nuss

Long Distance Ski over 40 Men

Clinton Wissekerke

Long Distance Ski over 40 Women

Tracy Nuss

Long Distance Ski Junior Men

Luke O’ Connor

Long Distance Ski Junior Ladies

Tessa Salmon

Lifesaving Ski Men

1st: Luke Nisbet

2nd: Gal Marks

3rd: Daniel Manihan

Lifesaving Ski Ladies

1st: Tiffany Koch

2nd: Dayna Deeble

3rd: Mikaela Brown

Lifesaving Ski Junior Men

Gal Marks

Lifesaving Ski Junior Women

Dayna Deeble

Academy Race

1st: Craig Clelland

2nd: Shannon Buys

3rd: Rebecca Sands

Double Men's

1st: Luke O’ Connor and Jayden van Rensburg

2nd: Kwanele Banda and Senzo Ngcobo

3rd: Daniel Manihan and Adrian Todd

Doubles Ladies

1st: Mikaela Brown and Dayna Deeble

2nd: Madison Alberts and Catrina Horner

3rd: Lynn Bennett and Claire Spring

Don’t Miss Any Paddle Fest Action!

With Durban awarded the 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Champs from 17 to 19 October, the Paddle Fest organisers included a preview of the race course, culminating in the headline event – the Engen Ballito Downwind on Sunday.

Saturday, 19 April

9am: World Champs Course Preview from DUC to Westbrook/Toti – Organisers will prioritise downwind paddling but this is a great way to check out the course ahead of the October event.

Sunday, 20 April

9am: Engen Ballito Downwind from Blythedale to Tiffany’s and reverse – The Paddle Fest culminates in this 18.5km course.

The KZN North Coast local and former World Champion Hank McGregor is among this year’s competitors. Commenting ahead of the Sunday race, he said: “I’m super excited to be lining up again in the Engen Ballito Downwind. There are some great new events on the calendar, and I’m really thrilled to be part of Paddle Fest 2025. I’m looking forward to racing some of the best in KZN!”

There is no pre-entry required for Day Two of Paddle Fest. To enter the Engen Ballito Downwind, visit www.canoesa.org.za.