Surf ski
The surf ski race uses a sit-on kayak-style craft propelled with a double-bladed paddle. Athletes start with their skis in knee-deep water, paddle around two turning buoys about 250 m out and an apex buoy, and race back through the surf; the race ends when the ski crosses the in-water finish line. There are also double ski and ski relay events.
Surf ski and double ski rules →
How it works
Skis line up about 1.5 m apart in knee-deep water. Athletes may fall off and remount — they must finish with their ski and paddle. Holding or impeding another competitor's ski is not allowed. In big surf the race can switch to a dry start or finish on the sand.
In the ski relay each of three team members paddles the course, leaves the ski at the water's edge and runs to tag the next. See surf ski and double ski rules.
Surf ski in South Africa
508 surf ski divisions on Flagline so far. Leaders, the top clubs, records and field sizes are on the stats page.
SA Champs 2025/26 · Gqeberha
| Age group | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Kira BesterCliftonCliftonClifton | Mark KeelingFish HoekFish HoekEast London |
| Junior | Fish HoekFish Hoek | Fish HoekFish Hoek |
| U19 | Ellen S.Fish Hoek | Matthew C.Summerstrand |
| U17 | Alayah K.Fish Hoek | Samuel M.Fish Hoek |
| U15 | Bella S.Fish Hoek | Daniel V.Fish Hoek |
| Masters 30-34 | Carmel SadlerSummerstrand | Brandon Van Der WaltSummerstrandSummerstrand |
| Masters 35-39 | Christina MallionClifton | Alex NeuschBig BayEast London |
| Masters 40-44 | Nikki MockeFish Hoek | Oliver B.MarineFish Hoek |
| Masters 45-49 | Chloe BunnettSummerstrand | Dawid MockeFish HoekPirates |
| Masters 50-54 | Jeanne ToplissFish Hoek | Andrew StoneSummerstrandFish Hoek |
| Masters 55-59 | Heather CresswellFish Hoek | Guy MottramFish HoekEast London |
| Masters 60-64 | – | Hennie RoosEast LondonSummerstrand |
| Masters 65-69 | – | Graham HolmSummerstrandSummerstrand |
| Masters 70-74 | – | Paul FortuinFish HoekFish Hoek |
| Masters 75+ | – | Bruce Darbyshire-RobertsScottburgh |
SA Inter-Provincials 2025/26 · Gqeberha
| Age group | Women | Men | Mixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Waris M.Western Cape | Matthew Coetzer | Western Cape |
| U19 | Alayah K.Fish Hoek | Samuel M.Western Cape | Western Cape |
Sources
- Lifesaving South Africa — Competition Manual, 17th edition (November 2022)
- International Life Saving Federation — Competition Rule Book, 2025 edition (revised May 2026)
Updated 29 September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@flagline.co.za.