Durban - The 2016 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series came to an end on Friday evening with the Varsity College FNB South African Schools Surfski Championships taking centre stage as the Mark Keeling and Kyeta Purchase became national champions whilst Hank McGregor took the overall spoils in the series.
Keeling finished second the Bailey de Fondaumiere in 2015 however he was too strong for the rest of the schools field as he cantered to a win by just over a minute whilst Kyeta Purchase repeated her win of 2015 as she outgunned the other girls to take the national championship title.
The overall series title was up for grabs as Euro Steel/Epic Kayak's Hank McGregor was chasing Matt Bouman for the spoils however it was the former who produced the goods to claim yet another Varsity College Marine Series title.
"It was a perfect evening for racing with a light westerly wind blowing," McGregor said. "There was a great field there and I knew that I was under a bit of pressure because I needed this result if I was going to win.
"It was an awesome evening for racing and I am really glad that I have another title," he added.
McGregor always knew that he had to finish at the front of the field if he wanted his sixth and final result to count in his favour so when he started the race he made sure that he got himself in front of the rest of the field early.
"I decided that I wanted to deliver the hurt from the beginning of the race as I needed to get myself away.
"I had a great start and got a substantial lead quickly because I really didn't want to leave it to the final lap because you never know what can happen.
"When I got ahead I just tried to chase down the doubles and the paddlers in the schools race so I always had a marker to chase.
"It was a fantastic win for me and I am glad that I could get another series win!" he added.
The series has become known for its strong field that it accumulates every week and Friday night's racing was no different.
"It was good to have the likes of Kenny Rice here which just added the strength of the field.
"Being able to race against some of the best surfski paddlers in the world is such a privilege. Taking them on in my own back yard is something that I have always appreciated," added a satisfied McGregor.
With the focus of the final race being on the SA School's championships, Hayley Nixon managed to get her second win of the series despite the fact that Nicole Russell had already wrapped up the women's series title.
The popular short course was won by Nic Riosa whilst the Wilkinson pair of Travis and Rachel were the quickest double across the line.
More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – VARSITY COLLEGE SURFSKI CHALLENGE
RACE TEN OF THE 2016 VARSITY COLLEGE FNB MARINE SURFSKI SERIES
LONG COURSE
Overall
1.Hank McGregor 32.41
2.Matt Bouman 34.04
3.Kenneth Rice 34.43
4.Wade Krieger 34.47
5.Charl Massyn 34.49
6.Grant van der Walt 35.00
7.Steve Woods 35.19
8.Gene Prato 35.26
9.Darren Swales 36.30
10.Jean Luc Mauvis 36.56
Women
1.Hayley Nixon 38.29
Doubles
1.Conraad Purchase/Richard Mckie 27.17
2.Harry Browne/Anthony Theunissen 30.33
3.Thomas Lovemore/Lee McGregor 33.41
Mixed Doubles
1.Jason Ekstrand/Kerry Segal 35.16
2.Lee Furby/Pippa McGregor 37.07
3.Gareth Miles/Raquel Arcediano 38.22
SHORT COURSE
Singles
1.Nic Riosa 21.55
2.Dave Rees 22.08
3.Dylan Riddle 23.10
Doubles
1.Travis Wilkinson/Rachel Wilkinson 20.24
2.Philip Symons/Lauren Norton 20.31
3.Bruce Pender-Smith/Matthew Pender-Smith 21.40
SUPs
Men
1.Daryl Bartho 26.52
2.Brandon Read 27.45
3.Grantley Read 29.16
VARSITY COLLEGE FNB SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS SURFSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Under 18 Boys
1.Mark Keeling 35.00
2.Bailey de Fondaumiere 36.01
3.Zachery Preyser 36.23
4.William Wood 37.32
5.Emanuel Zaloumis 39.04
Under Girls
1.Kyeta Purchase 40.45
2.Teegan Hardwick 49.20
Keli Reynolds 58.34
Under 16 Boys
1.Uli Hast 39.16
2.Hamish Mckenzie 42.43
3.Dante Lahore 45.03
Under 16 Girls
1.Tayla Gilmore 48.09
