Text by Coreban
Pictures taken by Carlo van Wyk
The sport of Ancient Hawaiian kings takes off in South Africa. Tuesday saw history in the making as over 50 of South Africa’s top Male, Female and Junior stand up paddlers descended on Canal Walk to battle it out in an attempt to win the first ever inland Stand up paddle boarding event in Africa.
The Men’s Health Canal Challenge presented by Coreban Hawaii was the first of it’s kind with intense racing to the end as athletes race on special stand up boards using special one sided paddles to attain speed.
“The great thing about the event was that the athletes really wanted to use this unique event to give back to the community” said Ivan van Vuuren, contest organizer. ’”all proceeds were donated towards Ikahya Le Themba a non profit organization supporting Aids orphans” said van Vuuren.
With perfect Cape Town Summer weather and endurance racing to the max, it was Greg Bertish taking home first place honors in the men’s pro division and winning the Ladies division was Tracey Heard.