The Cape Point Challenge

…aka the most gruelling one day surfski race

The challenge of this ultra ocean marathon lies in paddling yourself around Cape Point, the infamous Cape of Storms, the South Western most tip of the African Continent.

The 50km race starts at Scarborough and follows this beautiful stretch of coastline around the point to Fish Hoek. From Scarborough the paddlers enter the waters of the Cape Point Nature Reserve, past Olifantsbos, Platboom, The Cape of Good Hope and the dreaded Southwestern Reefs before reaching the point. At the point, rugged rocks and sheers cliffs tower more than 200m above the sea, cutting deep into the ocean, providing a spectacular backdrop.

Once around the point paddlers enter the quieter waters of False Bay (past the old stop at Buffels Bay) and on to Millers Point. From here it’s the last long tiring stretch along the famous Millers Run, past the Roman Rock Lighthouse (built between 1861 and 1865) in Simons Town Bay before finally heading to the finish line at Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club.

Cape Point Race Map (courtesy of mockepaddling.com)

Big swell and glassy conditions greeted the 2014 edition of the event. It was an epic day out with two paddlers being rescued off Olifantsbos – the wrong line got them onto the reef instead of in the gully, the sea jacked up and that was the end of their paddle. Fortunately the NSRI was on hand to pluck them from the 9 degree Atlantic water.

… nearing Cape Point

Cape Point

Entering False Bay for the long final stretch

False Bay

Feeling the distance in False Bay

Glassy conditions at Roman Rock Lighthouse

The finish… Fish Hoek… Broken!!