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It’s that time of the year when you need to make sure you enter the annual Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race and ensure you are part of the country's biggest surfski festival on October 25-26.
Yes, entries are now open for the annual two-day jamboree of downwind surfski action (and lots more). As always, the entries are via the Paddlesport SA (formerly Canoeing SA) entry portal, so you can book your place on the start line now by clicking this link.
The downwind race off the coast of East London has grown to become the biggest annual event on the South African surfski calendar, and this year it is expected to be something even more special, with the date adjusted slightly so it takes place just a week after the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban.
Already there has been some interest from international paddlers, so we can expect a smattering of international stars to be joining our local heroes.
The two-day Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race has been held since 2008 in honour of Pete Marlin, a popular East London paddler who lost his life while paddling in 1989. Traditionally there is the singles race on the Saturday and doubles event on Sunday, although organisers have the option to swop races in the interest of safety, or more favourable downwind conditions.
Last year Nic Notten and East London’s home-town heroine, Jade Wilson, claimed the title, but with some Aussies, Americans and Europeans in the field, the racing could potentially be even more frenetic.
Race Director, Charl van Wyk, is looking forward to the 2025 event as the best in the history of the race.
"I am very excited about the 2025 Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race," said Van Wyk this week. "We always strive to give our paddlers the best weekend of downwind paddling, while also making sure the visitors have a weekend they remember for all the right reasons.
“This year we are expecting a sprinkling of internationals to join our regular visitors from all over the country.
“The Biogen Pete Marlin is known for its unrivalled Eastern Cape hospitality, and that is what keeps hundreds of elite and recreational surfski paddlers coming back each year to enjoy the race and festivities.”
As always, there will be giveaways and prizes galore. Each entrant (who enters before September 7) will get a free pair of Funky Pants shorts, while the elite paddlers and racing snakes will be battling it out for a total prizefund of R160 000.
The entry fees for the 2025 Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race are R650 for singles and R450 per paddler for doubles. |
