World-class experience coupled with profound local knowledge proved a winning combination as Hank and Pippa McGregor powered to victory in the Carnegie Power Ballito Downwind, bringing Paddle Fest 2026 to an exhilarating close on Saturday, 21 March.
The 18.5km doubles race, held between Tiffany’s Beach and Blythedale Beach, delivered ideal downwind racing, with a strong south-westerly wind creating fast, challenging conditions for the competitive field. This year’s event, which alternates annually between singles and doubles formats, saw the mixed doubles category dominate the overall standings, with elite crews battling it out along the KZN North Coast.
Leading the charge were Ballito locals and husband-and-wife duo, Hank and Pippa McGregor, who surged ahead to secure the overall win. Close behind were Joshua Fenn – who travelled from East London – and local star Saskia Hockly, both world-class paddlers with international accolades, who finished in second place.
Speaking after the event, Hank McGregor said it was the right call to bring the race forward from Sunday to Saturday, as the conditions were ideal: “Everyone enjoyed it – the surf was very manageable and there was still a following wind. It was a great day out for the paddling community of the North Coast. For my wife and me, this was our first race leading up to the Freedom Paddle in Cape Town next month.”
He said racing alongside good friends, Hockley – the current World Mixed Doubles Champion – and Fenn on home turf was a great experience: “For us it was everything to race for – it’s not often you get to line up next to world champions. It was a ding-dong battle for the first 5 or 6kms, but we managed to slowly edge away from them to take the win. It was a fantastic downwind, and just a great day out.”
Rounding out the podium was another local crew, Ty and Zoog Haynes, a father-and-son duo from Palm Lakes in Ballito, underlining the strength and depth of paddling talent emerging from the region.
“The Ballito Downwind continues to attract top paddlers from around the country, and it’s fantastic to see such a strong field competing in these conditions,” said Barry Lewin, Event Organiser. “At the same time, it’s really encouraging to see the local paddling community so well represented – particularly through clubs like the Dolphin Coast Paddlers Club, which continues to grow year on year.”
Lewin noted that the event once again highlighted the quality of paddling conditions along the KZN North Coast: “Downwind paddling here is among the best in the world, and the conditions certainly delivered. We had a solid 15-knot south-westerly pushing up the coast, creating perfect racing conditions for an event like this.”
In the Mixed Doubles category, another standout performance came from Jasper Mocke, who partnered with a junior paddler, Olivia McKenzie, to secure a podium finish. The Ladies’ Doubles title was claimed by Lynne Mackey and Shannon Buys, who put in a commanding performance to conquer the ocean conditions and take top honours.
In the Junior division, rising star Keegan Vogt capped off an exceptional weekend. Fresh from his victory in the Forex People KZN Schools League Race earlier in the day, Vogt teamed up with local paddler Matt Wilson to secure the junior downwind title, showcasing impressive skill and composure.
The Carnegie Power Ballito Downwind formed the grand finale of Paddle Fest 2026, which kicked off with the inaugural Forex People KZN Schools League Race and the high-energy Reef Shootout presented by The Pumpsmith at Durban Undersea Club.
Carnegie Power Ballito Downwind Results
Overall
1. Hank and Pippa McGregor
2. Josh Fenn and Saskia Hockly
3. Zoog and Ty Haynes
Mixed Doubles
1. Hank and Pippa McGregor
2. Josh Fenn and Saskia Hockly
3. Jasper Mocke and Olivia McKenzie
Juniors
1. Keegan Vogt and Matt Wilson
2. Jamie Grantham and Tessa Salmon
Vets
1. Hank and Pippa McGregor
Masters
2. Bryce Hatton
Singles
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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Paddle Festival.
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