Bouman wins Hansa 5 Beaches with ease

Durban - Ace paddler Matt Bouman maintained his overall lead in the Discovery Sunglass Hut Surfski Series by powering to the finish leaps ahead of competing paddlers in the Hansa 5 Beaches.

With surf conditions looking ominous series organiser Billy Harker opted to hold the start back and changed the race by having competitors paddle a direct 18km line from Umkomaas to Amanzimtoti, whilst removing the three pit stops at Winklespruit, Karridene and Warner Beach from the usual course description.

The shallow start and large shore break created a difficult start for many paddlers trying to get out. Bouman took the lead early on and had Daryl Bartho close on his tail throughout the race. "Daryl (Bartho) kept the same gap between us through the whole race and then towards the end I made my break to widen the gap," said Bouman.

"Every year I do the same thing and it works," said Bouman. "Then for some reason they're all still surprised about what line I decided to take."

Podium regular Oliver Burn was not far behind Bartho, and kept a close eye on Len Jenkins who was chasing him from behind. Burn had taken a far deeper line than Jenkins and at Umgababa Point Burn managed to bolt ahead. Bartho came in second followed by Burn and Jenkins in third and fourth consecutively.

Michelle Eder is widley known as the "lady to beat" in the current series who took home her seventh win at the Hansa 5 Beaches. At the start youngster Jenna Ward managed to get out ahead of Eder, however the Toti star past Ward early on.

"It was a fantastic race," said Eder. "A race of 18km is a great length, as you get tired, but you still have the speed unlike longer series races." Eder has plans to pair up with Burn in the Scottburgh to Brighton next weekend to tackle the mixed doubles race. "We haven't done much distance training lately, but it should be great!" said Eder.

The current power pair of Barry Lewin and Ant Stott claimed the doubles title yet again notching up their sixth series win in the 2010 series. Dwayne Powell and Steve Atkinson followed in second and Mark Mulder and Mark Lewin coming in third.

Next weekend the arduous Scottburgh to Brighton will have a brave line-up of doubles set to tackle the mean 46.5 km race.

Bouman mentioned that, should the wind bring it's best, he will definitely be taking part in the popular race with series regular Herman Chalupsky, as the pair aim to hang on to their record. "Back then, I was the lightee and he (Chalupsky) carried me, so it's time to return the favour," said Bouman.

The Discovery Sunglass Hut Surfski Series continues with the Discovery Scottburgh to Brighton on Saturday 17 July.

More information and results can be found at www.surfski.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
DISCOVERY SUNGLASS HUT SURF SKI SERIES
Hansa 5 Beaches
Men
1. Matt Bouman 1:05:51
2. Daryl Bartho 1:07:15
3. Oliver Burn 1:11:04
4. Len Jenkins JNR 1:11:44
5. Steve Cohen 1:12:07
6. Wayne Wilson 1:12:20
7. Brandon van der Walt 1:13:20
8. Brett Hadiaris 1:15:16
9. Shaun Austin 1:15:34
10.Anton Fouche 1:18:20