My Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge 15km Paddle

I had heard so much about the 2 day Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge event that is held in December each year in Plettenberg Bay so was sure to take part in one of the events during my Knysna holiday. I decided on the surfski on 29 December.

The Central Beach parking lot was already full when we arrived in Plett at 07h00, and the beach was a hive of activity! Participants in the running event were finishing as I prepped my boat on the beach. The ocean was calm, and the skies were slightly overcast. The field consisted of about 20 doubles and 30 singles.

We paddled from Central Beach, around the Beacon Island Hotel and then across the bay to the end of Robberg Beach. From the turn buoy, we cruised out along the Robberg peninsula, passing the smelly seals on the way to the point where we turned on a buoy and headed directly back to the start. There was a light ocean swell following but not enough to make too much difference, so it was an honest paddle all the way.

The views of Plett from the ocean are absolutely magic and make the paddle worthwhile.

I was 15 out of 29 singles in a time of 01:23:06.

Sporting celebrities Chad Ho and Natalie du Toit caused much excitement on the beach as they and the rest of the field of swimmers finished their epic 5km open-water swim from the other end of Robberg Beach.

The event is superbly organised by Magnetic South (of Otter Trail Run fame) and raises funds for a worthy cause.