Stories of human endurance, lasting camaraderie and the beauty of the Eastern Cape coastline are captured between the covers of the newly published book on the PE2EL Surf Ski Challenge.
By Riaan Marais Daily Maverick
More than 50 years ago, two Johns challenged each other to a race that pushed the limits of their capabilities.
Over the past five decades, that legendary race grew into a life-changing event (some would even say a complete lifestyle) for every person mad enough to take on the challenge.
Two years ago, a team of equally mad enthusiasts took on the mammoth task of documenting the history, the people and the experiences of one of South Africa’s most iconic endurance sporting events.
Earlier this year, their efforts paid off, and the PE2EL Surf Ski Challenge came to life on the pages of the first edition of their coffee table book.
“We like to think of it as an encyclopedia of the event. From the first challenge that started it all and through the years of the event. We wanted to show its beauty – not just the scenic route along the Eastern Cape coastline, but the amazing people that helped to make the race what it is today,” said Gavin Harvey, a member of the publishing team.
The PE2EL Surf Ski Challenge is a four-day event that sees paddlers take a 244km journey from Bluewater Bay in Gqeberha up to Nahoon Beach in KuGompo, with stop-overs at Woody Cape, Port Alfred and Hamburg along the way…
The full Daily Maverick review can be read here: 50 years, 244km and countless stories — gruelling surf ski race gets its own book
Read more:
PE2EL Challenge Book Preserves More Than 60 Years Of Ocean Racing History
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