The 2022 edition of the two day Dis-Chem Pete Marlin Surfski Race will take place in East London on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November, with the added weight of hosting the Eastern Cape surfski title deciders this year.
Started in its current format in 2010, the weekend of downwind surfski paddling off East London has quickly acquired a cult following in the surfski communities and every year attracts a big field of paddlers from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Couched in typical Border hospitality, the weekend revolves around a single ski race on the Saturday, followed by a double ski race on the Sunday.
The event aims to offer the paddlers the best downwind paddling courses and the race routes are tailored to offer optimal following winds and seas, while ensuring that the entire field is safe in the conditions.
Local star Josh Fenn took home the final bragging rights last year after winning the double ski race with Hank McGregor, ensuring that the hometown fans will be baying for more from the elite local paddlers.
With the race having earned its reputation for superb downwind paddling, the event lures many of the country’s best elite men and women to the Border region for the Pete Marlin weekend.
Their entry is out-weighed every year by the droves of recreational surfski fanatics who, once they have tasted the Border downwind thrills, make an annual return for the weekend surfski festival.
There are twelve paddlers, most of them Eastern Cape locals, who have completed all eleven editions of the race.
Athletes who have completed all eleven Pete Marlins:
Duncan Boyd, Keith Flemmer, Derek Hendry, Iain Hume, Barry Lewin, David Puttergill, Hennie Roos, Brendon Thompson, Cassie van Heerden, Andre van Wyk, Angus Warren, Andre Wood.