Hout Bay paddlers Ryley Smith and Jared Shrimpton worked as a team and scooped silver and gold at this year’s Pete Marlin Surf Ski Race.
The pair partnered for the event in East London on Saturday and Sunday November 2 and 3.
The annual downwind race is held over two days with a singles day and a doubles day over approximately 23km, according to its website.
Earlier this year Ryley and Jared, together with Ryley’s sister, Holly, scooped top honours in the SA Marathon Championships and the SA Surfski Championships (“Paddlers scoop top honours,” Sentinel, August 2).
Ryley and Jared, who are in Grade 10 at Camps Bay High School, won second place in the double ski under-23 category.
Out of 229 competitors for all events, Jared finished 13th overall while Ryley came 14th.
“It was an awesome race, and one I always look forward to in the year. I was ecstatic with achieving second place in the single ski’s under-16’s,” said Ryley.
“Competing in the doubles category was awesome. We had some wind and some tiny bumps, but it was such a fun race to tackle with Jared. I’m super stoked we came first in the under-18’s and seventh overall. The challenge was having low wind, which means it was a flat paddle instead of downwind.“
Jared achieved first place in the under-16’s singles and said he was proud of their team effort.
“The lack of wind was a challenge, but Pete Marlin is one of my favourite races on the calendar and I always enjoy competing in East London.”
Camps Bay High School principal Louis Mostert said: “I am immensely proud of Jared and Ryley for their outstanding achievements at the Pete Marlin Surf Ski Race. Competing in such a prestigious event and excelling in age groups beyond their current age group is a testament to their dedication and passion for the sport.”
