Hi ,

Just a day or two more until the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race and the SA Ocean Racing Championships – and we hope you are as excited for the weekend action (on and off the water) as we are.

However, there are a few things to clarify for paddlers, so with that in mind we ask you to please take a moment to read through this carefully and check you have all your pre-race admin sorted, to make the registration and two days of racing as much fun as possible.

And, please go to the event website where there is loads of important information.

As always, safety is paramount and a non-negotiable for this event. With that in mind, all paddlers must have the South African version of NSRI SafeTRX loaded on a fully-charged cell phone, in a water-proof pouch. This WILL be checked at registration so please ensure you have the App loaded before Friday at 3pm

You can read more about the event safety and SafeTRX by clicking the link below, and watch the video to see how to set up your phone with SafeTRX.

Other safety non-negotiables include the wearing of a PFD (SA approved) and a leash in sound working order.

The race courses are weather and wind dependent. The plan is to have the SS1 race on Saturday and the SS2 on Sunday (subject to change if deemed beneficial), but that will be confirmed and the provisional race courses we be announced when confirmed.

In the meantime, click the link below for course options and you can watch the Safety Officers' Course Options Briefing, where he points out some of the landmarks you can look out for while paddling.

At compulsory registration (Friday 3pm-7pm) you will receive a RFID timing chip (and ankle strap), your race number & batch stickers.

1) Place the numbered, colour-coded STICKERS on the FRONT LEFT of your ski

2) Securely attach the supplied chip strap and timing chip to your LEFT ankle (chip number facing out) (see picture below)

3) You will use the same chip for both days, but return the chip and strap immediately after your last race (on Saturday if you are only paddling on Saturday, and on Sunday if you are paddling both races). Return to the box provided at the finish line.

Race Registration is COMPULSORY for all paddlers. It will take place at the East London Surf Lifesaving Club from 3pm to 7pm on Friday (October 30th). At registration you will collect you timing chip, race numbers and batch stickers; your phone will be checked for the SafeTRX app; and you will receive your goodie bag and race shirts (if applicable).

IMPORTANT: No timing chips will be issued on race day – no chip, no time, no result.

There is a cash bar and the following food will be provided at the club:

FRIDAY from 5pm:
Fillet Prego steak rolls @ R100

SATURDAY & SUNDAY:
Cheese Burger (150g pattie ) @ R80
300g Rump steak, salads and roll @ R130
2 chicken kebabs, salads and roll @ R130

The official race WhatsApp group is the primary source of communication to paddlers. To make sure you are up to date with the event information and updates, we encourage you to remain on the group or please click the following link or click the button below to join: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HWVKX6xsaOWBtpppyHjZIW.

With just a few days to go before the event, we want to acknowledge one of the key elements of our successful event.

We have always been extremely lucky to have a dedicated group of loyal supporters and partners who sponsor the event and allow us to make the event as successful as it has been, and 2026 is no different.

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