The inaugural event was in 1958 hosted by Southern Natal Lifesaving. History - Open Ocean Racing Races - Lifeguards only - taken from Wikipedia
It was not long before lifesavers began going further offshore in these new, extremely seaworthy craft, and ocean racing began to emerge. The first standalone surfski race to be held was in 1958 in Durban, South Africa, known as the Pirates-Umhlanga-Pirates, a 20 km out and back race. The second oldest race happened the same year when lifesavers raced from Scottburgh to Brighton in South Africa, a 46 km event first held in 1958. Other stand alone long distance surfski races started under the Surf lifesaving movement include:
The Port Elizabeth to East London in South Africa, a 240 km event held every two years since 1972;
The Cape Point Challenge,[4] a 52 km race around the famous Cape of Good Hope
The Mouth to Mouth Surfski Challenge - From Richards Bay to Mtunzini since 1994, 40 km
To be eligible to compete in these events one had to be a qualified and currently active lifeguard, doing voluntary duties and competing for a Lifesaving Club.
