Chalupsky leads SA at Surf Ski WC
6 June 2006
Herman Chalupsky has been named captain of the South African team to take on the best surf ski paddlers in the World during the Surf Ski World Cup in Durban on 2 July, and he is confident that South Africa can dominate the competition.
The 41-year-old will lead a powerful squad, selected at the recent national trials, of two senior men's teams, a women's team, an under-21 team, and a Chairman's team.
The national side consists of Chalupsky, Hank McGregor, Darryl Bartho, and the new Molokai champion Clint Pretorius, with Jenna Worlock and Michelle Eder making up the SA women's team.
'We plan to dominate'
"We plan to dominate from the word go," said Chalupsky.
"I am delighted with the teams that have been selected and I know that we have the right mix of experience and talent to allow us to feel confident of regaining the World Cup title we won two years ago."
The older Chalupsky sibling, Oscar,
heads up an equally potent Presidents team that also includes Wayne Wilson, Brent Hadiaris and Barry Lewin.
William Smith and Brett Binnekade have been chosen for the under-21 team.
Exciting Chairman's team
The Chairman's team features a number of exciting paddlers: Caesar Plaatjies, Xolani Mkhize, Mthunzi Ngcobo, Wanda Mbutho, most of whom are semi-professional lifeguards who have taken to the sport of surf ski paddling with aplomb.
"This team can do the trick for South Africa, I am certain of that," said Chalupsky. "They all know the Durban conditions well, and have the experience to perform under the sort of pressure that we expect in this World Cup."
Herman Chalupsky is the reigning single ski title holder, having snatched the title from under the Australians' noses when the last World Cup was held in Perth. The dice for the individual title promises to be as interesting as the team clash for the overall
honours.
Jenna Worlock
Versatile Durban star Jenna Worlock is enjoying a stellar paddling season. In addition to leading the Discovery Mens' Health series, she has also very successfully applied herself to sprint canoeing.
Worlock and Eder will form a very formidable team that will require a massive effort to keep off the top two places on the podium.
Formidable teams are expected from the United States, Australia and New Zealand, with traditionally strong ski paddling nations like Tahiti also expected to send their top paddlers. In all, the organisers expect 14 nations to be on the beach at Bay of Plenty on 2 July.
Durban Beach Africa Festival
The 35-kilometre event forms part of the Durban Beach Africa Festival and will be decided between Westbrook Beach and Durban's Bay of Plenty depending on the prevailing weather, and the optimal downwind conditions.
Ideal conditions for Chalupsky
on the day would be a 15-knot north-easterly wind, making for good downwind racing from Westbrook Beach, finishing at the Durban Beach Africa site at Bay of Plenty in front of the loyal home crowd.
The World Cup race will be preceded by a spectator-friendly Grand Prix relay that will see teams negotiating the surf zone at the Bay of Plenty, on Saturday, 1 July.
National Team
Hank McGregor, Daryl Bartho, Clint Pretorius, Herman Chalupsky
Presidents Team
Oscar Chalupsky, Barry Lewin, Brent Hadiaris, Wayne Wilson
Chairman's Team
Caesar Plaatjies, Xolani Mkhize, Mthunzi Ngcobo, Wanda Mbutho
Under-21
William Smith, Brett Binnekade
Ladies
Jenna Worlock, Michelle Eder
Reserve
Brett Bartho
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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