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The Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race will have a distinctly international feel in 2025 with entrants able to potentially have the unique opportunity of paddling with and racing against a bunch of newly-crowned world champions on October 25-26.
This year's Biogen Pete Marlin weekend comes just a week after the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban, which has resulted in a two-fold spinoff for entrants: The timing provides overseas stars with a chance to experience one of South Africa's favourite downwind ocean racing weekends, and also gives local entrants the chance to mingle with the world's best paddlers in a more relaxed atmosphere than at the Durban event.
The Pete Marlin weekend has always been about more than just racing, and fully deserves its reputation as a weekend of great fun packed with loads of laughter and superb downwind paddling.
With entries still open on the PaddleSport SA entry portal, there are already over 300 entrants with a country list that is growing. So far paddlers have entered from Spain, Tahiti, Germany, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Thailand, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, New Zealand, Australia, UK and Canada.
With a prize fund of over R160 000, almost all South Africa's top ocean racers will be joining their overseas counterparts on the start line, and with the World Championship events focusing on singles and mixed doubles racing, the doubles event at the Biogen Pete Marlin has taken on the status of an unofficial doubles world championship with some big names teaming up.
The East London event sees competitors racing over two days, with singles competition on one day – usually determined by the best racing conditions – and doubles on the other.
Entries are due to close on October 20th. |
