DURBAN – The ripple of overseas paddlers arriving in Durban has turned into a tsunami of excitement as the international surfski racers register at the Durban Undersea Club (DUC) for this weekend’s ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships.
The excitement went up a level on Wednesday afternoon with the announcement of the courses and finalised event schedule within the three-day race window. Due to the predicted weather, wind and wave conditions, the event committee confirmed the mixed doubles (SS2) race will be held on Saturday and singles (SS1) race on Sunday.
The DUC at the Point Water Sports Club on the Durban beachfront will be the host venue when the two races are held with the 2025 World Championship titles on the line.
The most prestigious singles event will take place with the best downwind racing conditions on Sunday from DUC to Westbrook. Sunday’s wind is predicted to be a south-westerly of about 25-40 km/h which should make for a great test of skills, speed and fitness of the world’s best ocean racers.
The mixed doubles championship race will be held on Saturday from DUC to Amanzimtoti in what is predicted to be a north-easterly wind of around 15-20 km/h.
Just about all the big names in surf paddling are already in Durban and registering at the race venue and spectators can expect some fascinating racing.
The men’s race looks like a battle between the top three from 2024 – German defending champion Gordan Harbrecht, Australian three-time champion Cory Hill and veteran Durban local hero Hank McGregor – with a slew of hopefuls who cannot be ignored. The South African challenge is led by 2025 SA Champion Nic Notten and his Peninsula teammates Kenny Rice and Uli Hart, as well as brothers Matt and Josh Fenn. Harbrecht’s European challenge is backed up by Pierre Vilella from France and Walter Bouzan from Spain, with Oscar Jones a young Australian that could be in the mix.
The women’s race looks to be a straight fight between New Zealand’s 2019 World Champion Danielle Richards and South Africa’s two most recent World Champions, Durban local Michelle Burn and the defending champion from Cape Town, Kira Bester. However, the South African challenge has depth with Jade Wilson, Melanie van Niekerk, Nix Birkett, Saskia Hockly and 2024 junior champion Georgia Singe able to upset the big three favourites.
The mixed doubles race on Saturday is scheduled to start at 8am and Sunday’s singles event will set off at 9am.