Pete Marlin Surfski Race

Pete Marlin Surfski Race Surfski race

GATHERING OF THE WORLD'S BESTThe 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race and SA Ocean Paddling Championships on October 31 and Nov...
08/09/2026

GATHERING OF THE WORLD'S BEST

The 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race and SA Ocean Paddling Championships on October 31 and November 1 in East London is shaping up to be something of reunion of World Champions.

Looking at recent World Championship results it is impossible to argue against South Africa being the strongest ocean-paddling nation in the world. And this year's Pete Marlin will once again showcase the spectacular strength of South African offshore paddling with a host of current and past World Champions on the beach waiting for the start gun.

On the list of paddlers who have indicated they are entering are former men's S1 World Champions Kenny Rice (2019 World Champion) and former race winner Nic Notten (2021). They are sure to be joined by current mixed doubles World Champion and East London local Matthew Fenn. Fenn is also a former U23 World Champ (2023, 2024) along with his brother Joshua (2019), Rice (2017) and Uli Hart (2021, 2022 and U23 mixed in 2024). And of course, while both defending champion Andy Birkett and multiple winner Hank McGregor may not have won a surfski World title, they have won three and 11 marathon world titles respectively.

In the women's race, Matt Fenn's mixed doubles winning partner from last year, Saskia Hockly is expected to line up and she may face off against former senior World Champion Michelle Burn (2021) and U23 World Champs gold medal winners Jade Wilson (2021) and Holly Smith (mixed 2025).

With this much World Championship pedigree heading for East London, there is a very real possibility that the winners of the 2026 Pete Marlin – and the South African Championships – may need a World Championship title just to be considered among the favourites.

And of course, this year's Pete Marlin comes just three weeks after the 2026 World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain. That probably means the list of South African World Champions at East London's two-day festival of downwind paddling may grow just a little more before race day.





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Paddlesport South Africa
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Paddlesport Gauteng
Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
Seymour Properties

SEPTEMBER 21 SHIRT DEADLINEThe 2026 custom Pete Marlin race shirt is a cracker – but you can only be the best-dressed su...
04/09/2026

SEPTEMBER 21 SHIRT DEADLINE

The 2026 custom Pete Marlin race shirt is a cracker – but you can only be the best-dressed surfski paddler in your club if you enter before September 21.

Entries are open on the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/ and all entries received before September 21 get to come to the race AND get the shirt. Enter now!





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Paddlesport South Africa
Paddle Sport Eastern Cape
Paddlesport Gauteng
Kwazulu Natal Canoe Union
Seymour Properties

STAY IN TOUCHCommunications are vital to event organisation and we want all the potential Pete Marlin participants to ha...
28/08/2026

STAY IN TOUCH

Communications are vital to event organisation and we want all the potential Pete Marlin participants to have the latest information when they need it. With that in mind the following will be our key forms of communications in 2026.

WhatsApp: join the information group at https://chat.whatsapp.com/HWVKX6xsaOWBtpppyHjZIW (please share this with your race partner)

Newsletters: We send a newsletter with updates of some of the important information. The first one went out this week and you can see it (and subscribe) at https://petemarlin.co.za/?na=archive&email_id=39 #

Social Media: Facebook at PeteMarlinsurfski & Instagram at

Entries: You can enter at the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/

Website: There is loads of information at the official race website at https://petemarlin.co.za/





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Seymour Properties
Paddlesport South Africa

28 DAYS TO GET YOUR SHIRTThe 2026 custom-designed Pete Marlin race shirt is making waves, and you can ride the swell if ...
25/08/2026

28 DAYS TO GET YOUR SHIRT

The 2026 custom-designed Pete Marlin race shirt is making waves, and you can ride the swell if you enter before September 21 and get it free as part of your entry.

The 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race on October 31 and November 1 is the SA Ocean Paddling Championships for S1 and S2, so this year there is over R140 000 prizemoney, national titles in all age groups ... and a free shirt.

Entries are open on the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Paddlesport South Africa
Seymour Properties

20/08/2026

FIVE REASONS TO AVOID "PETE MARLIN FOMO"

Long-time Pete Marlin friend and media personality, Barry Lewin, is already suffering from FOMO as he contemplates missing his “favourite race of the year” – make sure you don't join him on the FOMO list!

Barry's top five reasons why he is going to be bleak on October 31 and November 1:
1. It is the SA Championships, giving paddlers the chance to win SA medals and compete against the best across all age groups.
2. The wonderful Eastern Cape and East London community that welcomes all paddlers.
3. Possibly the best-organised race of the year.
4. A spectacular downwind course that makes for superb ocean paddling.
5. And most of all, the great vibe at the event – remember, it's more than two races!

Be part of the action this year by heading over to the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/ and enjoy one of the best weekends of paddling you can have.

For more info, go to https://petemarlin.co.za/

PS: All entries before September 21 get a stunning free race shirt!





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Seymour Properties
Paddlesport South Africa

13/08/2026

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE EARLY BIRD ...

Race Director Charl van Wyk invites you to enter the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race, which this year also doubles as the South African S1 and S2 Championships.

Get your entry in early and, not only will you be helping the organisers, but you’ll also get a free official race shirt – and be part of what is probably the best weekend of downwind paddling in the country.

Entries are open at the Paddlesport SA entry portal:
https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/

For more info, go to:
https://petemarlin.co.za/





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Seymour Properties
Paddlesport South Africa

EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE ROOMWe're less than three months away from the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race on October 31 and No...
09/08/2026

EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE ROOM

We're less than three months away from the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race on October 31 and November 1, and that means paddlers are already looking for accommodation for the weekend. Well, the Pete Marlin organisers have got you covered with some options for guest houses, B&Bs, apartments, lodges, rooms and hotels.

If you want some leads for your accommodation, check out https://petemarlin.co.za/accommodation/.

This year the Pete Marlin doubles as the SA Ocean Paddling Championships for both S1 and S2, so if you want a SA Champs medal and title you need a good night's sleep – hurry and book now before all the best places are taken.

Entries for the race are open on the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Paddlesport South Africa
Seymour Properties

ENTER SA CHAMPS EARLY – GET THE SHIRTThe 2026 custom Pete Marlin race shirt has been designed – and it's a cracker! Ente...
03/08/2026

ENTER SA CHAMPS EARLY – GET THE SHIRT

The 2026 custom Pete Marlin race shirt has been designed – and it's a cracker! Enter before September 21 and get it free.

The 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race on October 31 and November 1 is the SA Ocean Paddling Championships for both S1 and S2, so this year there is more than R140 000 prizemoney up for grabs as well as national titles across all age groups.

Entries are open on the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/





Euro Steel Sport
FENN
PW Harvey & Co
Paddlesport South Africa

ENTRIES ARE OPEN!The journey to the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race and SA Champs – doubles and singles – has begun with e...
07/07/2026

ENTRIES ARE OPEN!

The journey to the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race and SA Champs – doubles and singles – has begun with entries now open for one of South Africa's premier ocean races.

The 2026 event will be held on October 31st and November 1st, with SA S1 Champs scheduled for the opening day on Saturday and the S2 championship event planned for Sunday.

With over R140 000 prizemoney and over 150 championship medals on offer, the Pete Marlin is one of the most lucrative weekend's for the country's top paddlers, but the two days of downwind racing is way more than simply a battle among the elite paddlers looking for glory.

There is a good reason why the event attracts a wide range of paddlers from all corners of the country (even landlocked Gauteng!), and the fact so many return year after year to enjoy the paddling and the party is testament to both the slick organisation on the water and the fun factor off it.

Be part of the action this year by heading over to the Paddlesport SA entry portal at https://paddler.paddlesportsa.com/ and be part of probably the best weekend of paddling you can have.

For more info go to https://petemarlin.co.za/

Paddlesport South Africa
Euro Steel Sport
FENN

SAVE THE DATEGiven that South Africa is enjoying a “golden era” 🏆 for surfski racing, we are expecting 2026 to be a bump...
28/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE

Given that South Africa is enjoying a “golden era” 🏆 for surfski racing, we are expecting 2026 to be a bumper year. At the 2026 Pete Marlin Surfski Race we will be crowning the S1 and S2 Champions at our event in East London in October / November ... and we are planning to make this years SA Champs extra special, and in doing so celebrate the sport of Ocean Paddling in SA!

To celebrate our success in recent years, we are hoping and planning to get more than our usual number of 300+ paddlers and are aiming to reach the 400-paddler mark. I encourage you to remain on this “broadcast only” WhatsApp race group for more info later this year!

In the meantime, diarise the weekend of October 31 and November 1, when we hope to see you as part of the "Magnificent 400" downwind race! 👍

For more info watch this space and the official race website at https://petemarlin.co.za/

Address

82 Smart Road, Nahoon
East London
5241

Telephone

+27834471500

Website

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