Results Surf Ski individual: Durban ICF World championship 2025

A Global Celebration of Ocean Racing

The 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban, South Africa, offered one of the most exciting and balanced editions the sport has ever seen. What unfolded along the 34-kilometer stretch from the Durban Undersea Club to Westbrook was more than just a test of endurance it was a showcase of the sport’s growing global reach.

Experience and youth both shone on the world stage, with Australia’s Cory Hill claiming his fourth men’s title and South Africa’s Kira Bester successfully defending her women’s crown. Yet the event also marked a turning point: for the first time, athletes from five different countries filled the men’s top five, and the women’s podium featured three nations, confirming that ocean racing has truly gone global.

Results here of the first day, Surf Ski individual Durban ICF World championship 2025. You also have the full results here

Women’s Race 

For 23-year-old Kira Bester from Cape Town, the victory was deeply personal. As she crossed the line, she pointed to her cap and the sky  a heartfelt tribute to her late coach and mentor Pete Cole, whose influence shaped an entire generation of South African paddlers.

Bester and Danielle Richards of New Zealand set the early pace, splitting the field after the first buoy. Bester’s decision to turn north early and chase the shallower runs proved decisive, giving her a narrow but crucial lead. Richards took a deeper line, searching for larger waves generated by the south-westerly wind, yet the South African held her advantage to the end,  finishing just 23 seconds ahead.

Behind them, Rosie Edwards (Great Britain) edged out Georgia Singe for third place and captured the U23 title, while the  Spanish Judit Verges completed the top five.

Men’s Race 

At 36, Cory Hill once again proved why he remains the benchmark in ocean racing. The Australian executed a masterclass in strategy and patience, timing his move perfectly to secure his fourth world title after victories in 2015, 2017, and 2023.

Early leader Pierre Vilella of France pushed the pace through the first half of the course, but Hill’s steady rhythm and precise reading of the ocean brought him to the front in the latter stages. The finish line told the story of just how tight the battle was  Hill crossed less than a minute ahead of Vilella, with Bernardo Pereira of Portugal taking third.

Former world champions Nic Notten (South Africa) and Gordan Harbrecht (Germany) rounded out the top five, adding further diversity to the elite lineup.