I have just returned from the first ICF World Surfski Champs in Portugal, this event was put on by Nelo with the driving force of Marisa and Andre behind it. They did an amazing job, along with their team and not forgetting all the volunteers as without them we could not have had such a great event!

Looking down the start line seeing over 350 boats lined up was just unbelievable. The womens race had 50 entrants, it was incredible to see so many of us lined up ready to go. We used a paddle lock system, which they use at The Sella race in Spain, I have never used them before so it did add to the nerves. Actually the paddles came out smoothly and before I knew it I was in my boat and racing my heart out. The race was fast out to the turn buoy as there was a hotspot at the buoy. Teneale Hatton, Nikki Mocke and Michelle Burn broke away and raced for the hotspot, which Teneale won! I had said before my race that if I wasn’t almost dead at the end then I hadn’t paddled hard enough – so I raced as hard as I could. The runs, and the wind, virtually stopped with about 5 or so km’s to go so I knew then it was just going to be a grind to end.

Unfortunately for Michelle Burn she missed the final turning buoy and had to go back out around it and then finish, which allowed Michele Eray to take the win, great paddling from Michelle Burn as there was still a sprint finish and she finished in second place with Nikki Mocke in third. Teneale Hatton in 4th, Alexa Cole in 5th, Angie Mouden in 6th, Kirsten Flanagan in 7th, Me in 8th, Bianca Beavitt in 9th and Sofia Coelho in 10th. That’s the top ten ladies in the World this year. Awesome paddling – it was great racing you all.

Racing to the finish

Huge congrats to Sean Rice taking the Gold in the mens race, with Tim Jacobs in 2nd and Cory Hill in 3rd! Great racing there as the men came in thick and fast!! Thoughts go out to Dawid Mocke, who is a real ambassador for surfski paddling around the world, and could not race as he fell ill and was rushed to hospital to have his appendix out, so he couldn’t race!!

The standard of Ladies racing has really stepped up a gear so I am pleased with my result as my goal was to achieve a top ten place overall and to be World Champ in my age group. I got a Gold in the 35-39 age group – so my goals were achieved!

Team GB did very well coming home with three medals: Colin Smith Gold in the 60-64 : Glenn Eldridge Bronze in the 40-44 : and myself Gold in the 35-39! I might be biased but Team GB definitely won the Anthem singing contest and then led by Ivan we most surely got the party started!! What an awesome night.

The next day we raced doubles as a test event for the future World Championships. Myself and Greg Pienaar paddled together and just missed out on a top 10 finish, but we had a great race.

It was great catching up with friends from all over the world again and making new ones!! Also I’m surprised I have not put on weight as I did have my fair share of the irresistible Pastel de Nata’s (a great Portuguese custard tart)!!

Thanks again to everyone and see you next year 🙂

For the full results click here ICF World Championships 2013